WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) has announced the launch of a new qualification – the Level 2 Award in Sake – from April 2024.
WSET currently offers the Level 1 and Level 3 Awards in Sake, which were launched in 2014 and 2016 respectively.
In the last 10 years, more than 17,000 students around the world have taken a WSET sake qualification, with most coming from Japan, the UK, USA and Hong Kong.
The Level 2 Award in Sake will complete WSET’s suite of sake qualifications.
Building on the Level 1 Award in Sake, it will explore in more detail topics including: sake production, types of sake, how to serve the drink and factors affecting its flavours.
As with all WSET qualifications, the course also builds tasting skills using WSET’s globally recognised Systematic Approach to Tasting, to equip students with a universal language to describe what they are tasting and a framework for assessing quality.
The Level 2 Award in Sake will also support students that wish to progress to a higher level of sake study.
It will be available from 21 course providers in eight countries from this April, following pilots conducted in Japan, the US and the UK.
“Globally, sake continues to be an exciting category,” says Michelle Brampton, WSET’s Chief Executive Officer.
“We have seen demand for our Level 1 Award in Sake grow significantly over the last five years, so we are delighted to be launching the new Level 2 Award in Sake.
“It is designed to inspire more people around the world to deepen their knowledge of sake, whether they work in the trade or are learning for pleasure.”
Natsuki Kikuya, WSET’s Senior Researcher – Sake Research & Curriculum, says the Level 2 Award in Sake is ideal for both drinks trade professionals and enthusiasts who would like to gain an in-depth understanding of the production of sake and its different styles.
“Over the past decade we have worked with 160 educators around the world to develop our range of sake qualifications and increase growth in our key markets. This new Level 2 sake qualification will enable us to reach even more people.”
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