The Wine & Spirit Education Trust was founded in 1969 with its headquarters in London under the motto "Gustibus mens dat incrementum" (Knowledge strengthens sensory perception). In a multi-stage programme, training is offered to become a specialist in the field of "wine and spirits". The target audience is connoisseurs, practitioners and professionals from production, trade and gastronomy. WSET also offers professional certification in the USA in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington. There are now around 17,000 graduates annually in some 40 countries worldwide. Sponsors for funding and maintaining WSET courses and qualifications to the highest industry standards include Accolade Wines, Campari Group, Diageo and Pernod Ricard.
The training programmes provide in-depth knowledge of wines and spirits, as well as specialised tasting techniques for both the professional and the consumer. WSET works with training programme providers from around the world, such as the Geisenheim University of Applied Sciences, the Wine Academy Austria and also Masters of Wine. The courses, offered in 7 languages, cover five levels of expertise and practice from beginner to expert, with appropriate certificates of competence. The WSET Diploma Certificate is awarded after a positive examination and enjoys the highest international reputation. There are three groups for wine, spirits and sake:
Serious sources on the internet are rare - and Wine lexicon from wein.plus is one such source. When researching for my articles, I regularly consult the wein.plus encyclopaedia. There I get reliable and detailed information.
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