®

‘confidence for front line staff’

Specification for the

WSET® Level 1
Award

Specification
in Wines

ISSUE 9.1 www.wsetglobal.com

The WSET® Level 1 Award in Wines

This specification contains necessary information for both candidates and programme
providers about the WSET® Level 1 Award in Wines.
The main part of the document is a detailed statement of learning outcomes. These
outcomes should be used by providers to prepare programmes of learning, and by
candidates to plan their studies, because the examination is set to test these outcomes.
The specification also provides syllabus weighting, study and examination guidance
including the examination regulations.

Contents

1-6 Introduction
7-8 WSET® Level 1 Award in Wines
9-10 Wine Product Knowledge
12 Example Questions and Assessment Task
13-15 Examination Regulations
16 Notes
 1

‘confidence for front line staff ’

2 Introduction

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust Qualifications

WSET® Awards is the The UK Government has established a
regulatory authority, the Office of
qualifications division of the
Qualifications and Examinations
Wine & Spirit Education Trust. Regulation (Ofqual), which regulates
Awarding organisations that offer
We provide quality-assured qualifications
qualifications.
that help people to know more about
alcoholic beverages and to develop their Some WSET qualifications are listed
tasting skills. We do this by: below.
• liaising with the drinks industry
to set suitable specifications
• approving programme providers
to offer our qualifications
• setting examinations
• issuing certificates to
successful candidates.

The development and awarding of WSET®

regulated qualifications is the sole
responsibility of WSET® Awards, the
Awarding Body of The Wine & Spirit
Education Trust.

Full Title : The WSET® Level 1 Award in Wines

Ofqual number : 600/1504/4

Description : This qualification provides a basic introduction to the main styles of wines
available to front-line staff involved in the service or sale of wine.
The qualification aims to provide the basic product knowledge and skills in
the storage and service of wines required to prepare a person for their first
job in wine hospitality or retail.
 Introduction continued 3

Full Title : The WSET® Level 1 Award in Wine Service

Description : This qualification builds on the knowledge and skills taught in the Level 1
Award in Wines, and shows how these can be used in a restaurant work
place. It is ideal for anyone who needs to gain basic skills in wine service,
including those wishing to make their first steps into a career as
a sommelier.

Full Title : The WSET® Level 1 Award in Spirits

Ofqual number : 600/1501/9

Description : This qualification provides a basic introduction to the main categories of

spirits available to front-line staff involved in the service or sale of spirits.
The qualification aims to provide basic product knowledge to prepare a
person for a role in hospitality or the spirits industry.

Full Title : The WSET® Level 2 Award in Spirits

Ofqual number : 600/1507/X

Description : This qualification offers a greater breadth and depth of knowledge in the
specific area of spirits and liqueurs than that offered by the broader-based
Level 2 Award in Wines and Spirits. This qualification offers focused
coverage of all product categories in the field of spirits, end use of the
identified products together with the theory of tasting technique.

Full Title : The WSET® Level 2 Award in Wines and Spirits

Ofqual number : 600/1508/1

Description : This qualification offers broad coverage of all product categories in the
field of alcoholic drinks, together with the theory of tasting technique. It is
suitable for those with little previous experience.
4 Introduction continued

Full Title : The WSET® Level 3 Award in Wines

Ofqual number : 601/6352/5

Description : The Level 3 Award in Wines gives more comprehensive coverage of the
wines and spirits of the world, with an increased focus on tasting technique.

Full Title : The WSET® Level 4 Diploma in Wines and Spirits

Description : This is a specialist qualification where detailed knowledge is combined

with commercial factors and a thorough system for the professional
evaluation of wines and spirits. The Diploma is recommended by the
Institute of Masters of Wine for candidates wishing to pursue membership.

BS EN ISO 9001:2008
WSET® Awards operates a Quality Management System which
complies with the requirements of BS EN ISO 9001:2008 for the
management of awards for qualifications and examinations in the
product knowledge and tasting competence of alcoholic beverages. BS EN ISO 9001:2008
FS 66504
 Introduction continued 5

How to prepare for the Level 1

Award in Wines
WSET® qualifications can only be The WSET® Level 1 Award in Wines
offered by organisations approved by does not specifically assess any of the
WSET® Awards, known as Approved key skills. However, it is considered
Programme Providers (APPs) and that there are opportunities for
students wishing to study for a students to develop certain key skills
WSET qualification must enrol with and generate evidence for portfolio
an APP. The student’s relationship is presentation.
with their APP and the APP is For the benefit of tutors and students,
responsible for the delivery of the a mapping key for the six key skills
course and administering the has been produced. The mapping key
examination, which is set by WSET® will give examples where, in the
Awards. natural course of study for a WSET®
Group study with an APP is the best Level 1 Award in Wines, it is possible
way of learning how to taste, but to practice and generate evidence for
some APPs also prepare candidates portfolios in key skills. It should be
for our examinations by distance noted that the opportunities for
learning. developing key skills and generating
A list of Approved Programme evidence might be affected by the
Providers (APPs) in the United Kingdom mode of study adopted.
and overseas is published on the Not all key-skills requirements are
WSET® website (www.wsetglobal.com). covered by the WSET® Level 1 Award
Please contact the APP directly to in Wines. We, therefore, advise that
find out about their programmes. any student who wishes to complete
the key-skills requirements should
contact a specialist key-skills advisor
Development of Key Skills who should be able to give suitable
• Key Skills advice for the completion of tasks.
The UK Government, through the However, two of the key skills have
Office of the Qualifications and been identified where it is possible to
Examinations Regulator, has defined develop and practice key skills:
levels of attainment in six key skills:
communication, application of number,
• communication

information technology, working with • improving own-learning

and performance.
others, improving own-learning and
performance, problem solving.
6 Introduction continued

To aid the key-skills tutor and student, Assurance Manager, WSET® Awards.
we have created tracking guides for the
key skills a student should be able to Customer Service Statement
demonstrate when undertaking a The quality and scope of service
WSET® Level 1 Award in Wines, and customers can expect from WSET®
these are available in the APP Awards is published in our Customer
Handbook and from the WSET® website Service Statement. A copy can be
(www.wsetglobal.com). obtained from the Centres Co-ordinator
and Quality Assurance Manager, WSET®
The guides identify key-skill
Awards.
opportunities which will occur when
using the recommended WSET® Tutor In the unlikely event of any
Guides and Level 1 study pack as part dissatisfaction with the service received,
of the course of study for the WSET® please contact the registered APP in the
Level 1 Award first instance. If the issue is not resolved
in Wines. Tutors who adopt alternative please contact the Centres Co-ordinator
approaches to teaching may generate and Quality Assurance Manager, WSET®
different opportunities for the Awards.
development and demonstration of key
skills. Scholarship Scheme
For those candidates employed in the
Diversity and Equality Policy drinks business in the UK, as well as
WSET® Awards fully supports the for a more limited number of
principle of diversity and equality and is candidates from the general public and
responsible for ensuring that all overseas, WSET® Awards manages a
candidates for its qualifications are scheme to match outstanding
treated fairly and on an equal basis. candidates in their examinations to
A copy of our diversity and equality scholarship awards made available by
policy can be obtained from the industry sponsors. The awards are
Centres Co-ordinator and Quality typically visits to wine or spirit
producing regions. In a number of
c a s e s ,
further interviews are held to determine
suitable candidates.

Please note that these scholarships do

not take the form of financial grants to
fund studies, but are a recognition of
examination performance.

Further information and a current list of

scholarships are published on the
WSET® website (www.wsetglobal.com).
 The WSET® Level 1 Award in Wines 7

Qualification aims
The Level 1 course is for those The qualification aims to provide
preparing for, or employees starting, the basic product knowledge and
their first job in wine. The course will skills in the service of wines required
introduce them, at a very basic level, to prepare a person with the
to the main styles of wine available, knowledge to underpin the job skills
wine storage and service and the and competences, for example, in
pairing of food with wine. This will positions in the sale and service of
enable students to meet workplace wine in restaurants and bars, and for
or Realistic Working Environment store and call-centre staff in wine
(RWE) wine service standards and retail or wholesale.
deal with basic customer enquiries.
The course aims to provide students
with product and service information
relevant to their place of employment
or study.
8 The WSET® Level 1 Award in Wines continued

Enrolment necessary for the award of a

qualification, it is made up of GLH and
There are no restrictions on entry private study time. GLH include all
to the WSET® Level 1 Award in Wines. tutor-supervised learning and
Students who are under the legal supervised assessments.
minimum age for the retail purchase
of alcoholic beverages in the country The TQT for the Level 1 Award in
where the examination is being held Wines is 6 hours, all as GLH. This
will not be allowed to sample any includes the 45 minutes for the
alcoholic beverage as part of their examination.
course, but this is not a barrier to
successfully completing the
qualification. Similarly, students who Progression Routes
choose not to taste alcohol for health,
religious or other reasons will not WSET® Level 2 Award
find this a barrier to successfully in Wines and Spirits
completing the qualification.
This qualification offers broad
coverage of all product categories
Total Qualification Time (TQT) and
in the field of alcoholic drinks,
Guided Learning Hours (GLH) together with a more detailed tasting
TQT is an estimate of the total amount technique.
of time, measured in hours that a
learner would reasonably need to be
able to show the level of achievement

Qualification Unit and Learning Outcome Table

Unit Title Learning Outcome Learning Outcome
Code Title
Wine Product 1. Understand the main types and styles of
Knowledge wine available

2. Know how to store wine

3. Know how to serve wine to customers

4. Understand the basic principles of food and

wine pairing

5. Understand the issues relating to the safe

consumption of wine
 Wine Product Knowledge 9

LEARNING OUTCOME ONE – UNDERSTAND THE MAIN TYPES AND STYLES

OF WINE AVAILABLE
Assessment Criteria
1. Identify the main types and styles of wines available.
2. Identify the factors that determine the main styles of wine.
3. State the main characteristics of the principal grape varieties.
4. Describe the styles and characteristics of wines made from the
principal grape varieties.

TYPES AND STYLES OF WINES

Types Light, fortified, sparkling
Styles Colour: white, rosé, red
Sweetness: dry, medium, sweet
Body: light, medium, full
Other factors: oak, acidity, tannin
FACTORS THAT DETERMINE THE MAIN STYLES OF LIGHT WINES
Climate Hot, cool
How wine is made White, rosé, red, use of oak
Principal grape White: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling
varieties Red: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah / Shiraz
STYLE AND CHARACTERISTICS OF WINES
Named wines White: Pinot Grigio, Soave, Sancerre, Chablis, Sauternes
Red: Bordeaux, Beaujolais, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rioja,
Chianti
Sparkling: Champagne, Cava
Fortified: Port, Sherry

WSET LEVEL 1 SYSTEMATIC APPROACH TO TASTING®

Style Colour: red – rosé – white
Condition: clean – unclean
Sweetness: dry – medium – sweet
Body: light – medium – full
Flavour characteristics: e.g. fruits – flowers – spices –
vegetables – oak – other
Other: acidity – tannin
Copyright Wine & Spirit Education Trust 2012

Recommended Tasting Samples

Candidates are expected to taste a minimum of six wines including a minimum
of two white wines made from the principal white grape varieties stated above
and a minimum of three red wines made from the principal red grape varieties
stated above.
10 Wine Product Knowledge continued

LEARNING OUTCOME TWO – KNOW HOW TO STORE WINE

Assessment Criteria
1. State the correct procedures for the storage of wines.

STORAGE AND SERVICE OF WINE

Storage Storage conditions

LEARNING OUTCOME THREE – KNOW HOW TO SERVE WINE TO CUSTOMERS

Assessment Criteria
1. State the appropriate service temperatures for the main styles of wines
available.
2. State the correct procedures for opening and serving still and sparkling wines.
3. Identify common faults found in wines.

SERVICE OF WINE
Service Red, rosé, white, sparkling and fortified wines
temperatures
Opening and Still and sparkling wine
serving corkscrews, ice buckets, glassware
Common faults Wine faults
 Wine Product Knowledge continued 11

LEARNING OUTCOME FOUR – UNDERSTAND THE BASIC PRINCIPLES

OF FOOD AND WINE PAIRING

Assessment Criteria
1. State the basic food and wine pairing principles.
2. Pair wines by style with food considering basic taste interactions
and individual preferences and sensitivities.

PRINCIPLES OF FOOD AND WINE PAIRING

Wine Sweetness, acidity, tannins/oak, complexity,
considerations fruitiness, alcohol level
Food Sweetness, acidity, umami, salt, bitterness,
considerations chili heat, fat, flavour intensity

WINE STYLES
Wines by style Colour: red, rosé, white
Sweetness: dry - medium - sweet
Body: light - medium - full
Flavour characteristics: fruits, flowers, spices, vegetables, oak, other
Other: acidity, tannin

LEARNING OUTCOME FIVE – UNDERSTAND THE ISSUES RELATING TO THE

SAFE CONSUMPTION OF WINE

Assessment Criteria
1. State the legal issues relating to the consumption of wine.
2. State the social, health and safety issues relating to the consumption
of wine.

LEGAL, SOCIAL, HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES

Social Safe consumption of alcohol
responsibility
12 Example Questions and Assessment Task

Examples of Level 1 Award Examination Questions

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust does not release past papers for the WSET®
Level 1 Award examination.

The multiple-choice examination papers are carefully compiled to reflect the

weighting given to the elements of the Unit. The chart below gives a breakdown of
the allocation of examination questions to each of the elements of the Unit.

Unit Learning Outcome Questions

Title Title per Paper

Wine Product
Knowledge 1. Understand the main types and styles of wine available 13

2. Know how to store wine

6
3. Know how to serve wine to customers

4. Understand the basic principles of food and wine pairing 8

5. Understand the issues relating to the safe consumption

of wine 3

Total Questions 30

To give students an idea of the sort of questions which might be asked, here is
a selection. The examination consists of 30 questions similar to these, to be
completed in a maximum of 45 minutes.

1. Which one of the following wines 2. What style of wine is Chablis?

would you recommend to a
a) Dry white.
customer requiring a white wine?
b) Dry red.
a) Cabernet Sauvignon.
c) Sweet white.
b) Pinot Noir.
d) Sweet red.
c) Syrah.
Answers to example questions:
d) Chardonnay.
1) d.
2) a.
 Examination Regulations 13

1 Entry Requirements 2 Format and Results

1.1 Eligibility 2.1 Candidates will be required to pass a
1.1.1 Candidates applying to sit the single-unit examination:
examination must be over the legal A closed-book examination that
minimum age for the retail purchase consists of 30 multiple-choice
of alcoholic beverages in the country questions worth one mark each. A
where the examination is being held, total mark of 70% is required to
or be preparing for the examination achieve a pass.
as part of a recognised full-time 2.2 All examination questions are based
programme of study, or have on the published learning outcomes
obtained parental consent. and the recommended study materials
contain the information required to
1.1.2 There are no restrictions on entry to
answer these questions correctly.
the Level 1 Award in Wines through
overlaps with other qualifications or 2.3 Results for successful candidates will
parts of qualifications. be issued to APPs within 2 weeks
1.1.3 Students who are under the legal from receipt of the completed scripts.
minimum age for the retail purchase 2.4 WSET® Awards does not offer aegrotat
of alcoholic beverages in the country awards, all assessment requirements
where the examination is being held of the qualification must be met.
will not be allowed to sample any
alcoholic beverage as part of their 3 Reasonable Adjustments
course, but this is not a barrier Examination candidates who have special
to successfully completing the examination requirements, which are
qualification. Similarly, students who supported by independent written
choose not to taste alcohol for assessment, are requested to notify the
health, religious or other reasons will examinations officer at their APP of any
not find this a barrier to successfully such requirement at the time of enrolment.
completing the qualification. Further guidance for examination officers
and candidates is available from WSET®
1.2 Recommended Prior Learning Awards as required.
1.2.1 There are no requirements for It is the policy of WSET® Awards that such
candidates to have previous candidates should not be placed at a
knowledge or previous experience of disadvantage in the examinations.
alcoholic beverages.
Candidates are responsible for informing
1.2.2 The indicative levels of literacy and their APP of any such requirement before
numeracy required for the every assessment.
examination are as follows:
literacy: Level 1 of the UK basic skills 4 Resits
national standards, or equivalent Candidates may apply to resit if they are
level of literacy in the language used unsuccessful. There is no limit on the
for the examination. number of attempts that may be made.
numeracy: Level 1 of the UK basic Candidates who have passed units are not
skills national standards, or permitted to retake them to improve their
equivalent. grade.
14 Examination Regulations continued

5 Examination Conditions and Conduct • any candidate who is suspected of

5.1 It is a condition of entry that misconduct will be advised to leave
candidates agree to the following the examination hall immediately and
specific conditions: their examination paper will be
• at the start of the examination all submitted to the Examination Panel
candidates must supply the invigilator to determine its validity and any future
with proof of identity in the form of ban on sitting papers
photographic ID • no examination question papers are
• the examination is to be completed to be removed from the examination
in a maximum of 45 minutes hall, candidates who fail to submit
• no reference is to be made to any the question paper with their answer
material, in whatever form, other than sheet will be deemed guilty of
the examination question paper and misconduct.
answer sheet 5.2 Candidates also agree to abide by the
• no communication of any kind invigilator’s instructions. Failure to do
between candidates is permitted so may render a candidate’s results
• the use of electronic devices of any invalid.
kind is prohibited 5.3 Examination papers submitted for
• the use of dictionaries of any kind marking become the property of
is prohibited WSET® Awards and will not be
• the use of audible “alarms” on any returned to candidates.
clock or watch is prohibited
• candidates who arrive after the
published start time may be allowed
to enter the room at the discretion of
the invigilator and only if other
candidates are not compromised
• candidates may not leave the room
until the first 15 minutes of the
examination time have elapsed
• candidates who complete the
examination/assessment early may
leave the examination room up until
the last 10 minutes providing they do
not disturb other candidates, no re-
admission is permitted
• invigilators have no authority to
comment upon, interpret, or express an
opinion on any examination question
 Examination Regulations continued 15

6 Examination Feedback, Enquiries 7 Student Satisfaction

and Appeals Should any student have concerns that
Candidates requiring feedback and/or an their APP is not providing the service that
enquiry (re-mark) on their examination they expect, or is behaving in a way that
paper should contact their APP and is inconsistent with the standards required
request an Application Form for Feedback in terms of administration, tuition or
and Enquiries Against Examination Results. examinations they should first take this up
The form must be completed and with their APP. If this does not lead to a
submitted to WSET® Awards along with the satisfactory resolution, students are asked
appropriate fee within 6 weeks of the date to contact our Quality Assurance
of the examination. Any request received Manager, by email at awards@wset.co.uk.
outside of this time frame will not be Please note that all complaints will be dealt
reviewed. Feedbacks and enquiries will be with confidentially, but WSET® Awards
issued within 2 weeks of receipt by cannot act on anonymous complaints.
WSET® Awards.
Any candidate unsatisfied with the result of 8 WSET® Awards Regulations
an enquiry of an examination paper should WSET® Awards reserves the right to add
contact the APP and request an Appeal to, or alter, any of these regulations as it
against Examination Results Application thinks fit.
Form, which must be completed and
returned to WSET® Awards, together with
the appropriate fee, no more than 10
working days following notification of the
enquiry decision. Appeals received outside
of this time frame will not be reviewed.
Appeals will be issued within 2 weeks of
receipt by WSET® Awards.
16 Notes
Wine and Spirit Education Trust
39-45 Bermondsey Street, London SE1 3XF United Kingdom
Email: wset@wset.co.uk
Internet: www.wsetglobal.com

© Wine & Spirit Education Trust 2012

Issue 9, 2012
Issue 9.1 (update with minor amendments), 2017

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means,
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WSET® Contacts
Wine & Spirit Education Trust
International Wine & Spirit Centre • 39-45 Bermondsey Street • London • SE1 3XF • United Kingdom

To obtain a list of Approved Programme Providers (APPs) closest to you, where you For any other enquiries,
can study or sit an examination, please see the WSET® website: www.wsetglobal.com please see the WSET®
website:
To obtain the APP Registration Pack, a copy of our Diversity and Equality Policy and
www.wsetglobal.com
our Customer Service Statement
or contact WSET® Awards
Contact WSET® Awards
Telelphone: +44 (0)20 7089 3840 • Fax: +44 (0)20 7089 3846
email: awards@wset.co.uk

WSET® gratefully acknowledges the support of the following CORPORATE PATRONS in helping to promote excellence in wine
and spirit product training and qualifications:

GOLD Patrons

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BRONZE Patrons

Wine & Spirit Education Trust

International Wine & Spirit Centre
39-45 Bermondsey Street
London SE1 3XF
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7089 3800
Fax: +44 (0)20 7089 3847
email: wset@wset.co.uk
website: www.wsetglobal.com