WSET Level 2 Award in Wines

Stanlake Park Winery is hosting the WSET Level 2 Award in Wines on Sunday 22 November, a full-day course that takes you from a bit of wine knowledge to something you can actually put on your CV. It's run by the Wine and Spirit Education Trust, and it's designed as vocational product training for people working in the drinks trade who don't have much of a background in wine, though it's just as popular with serious enthusiasts who want a structured, internationally recognised qualification rather than just picking up bits and pieces as they go.

The course runs for 16 hours and covers a fair amount of ground. You'll work through eight principal grape varieties and wines from more than 70 geographical indications, and it doesn't stop at the still stuff — sparkling and fortified styles are on the table, as is food and wine pairing. It's a tasting and theory course, so you'll be working through the wines as you learn about them, not just reading from a slide.

There's a bit of support that comes with it, too. You get a WSET Level 2 study pack and a 12-month online learning package to keep you going after the day is done. If you pass, you walk away with the certificate and a lapel pin. The exam itself is 50 multiple-choice questions to be answered in one hour, and you need 55% to pass. A good grade opens the door to the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines, so if you're planning to keep going, this is where you start.

It's a Level 2 Vocational Qualification, fully OfQual accredited under the UK Government's Qualifications & Credits Framework, which is why it works for professional development. The course is held at Stanlake Park Wine Estate, Waltham Road, Twyford RG10 0BN, and costs £595.00.