Ian Harris, Wine and Spirit Education Trust

This show was published Friday, January 5, 2007

Overview

Ian is the Chief Executive of the Wine and Spirit Education Trust WSET (WSET), and they are the leading wine trade training organisation. Ian took over the WSET in April 2002 and has overseen much of the updating of their courses.

WSET founded 1969 as an educational charity by four organisations to train people in the British wine and spirits trade. The four founding companies are The Vintners' Company, The Worshipful Company of Distillers,Institute of Masters of Wine and the Wine and Spirits Trade Association of Great Britain.

Initially the WSET was setup solely to train the trade. However in 1991 the charter was changed to allow the general public to study for WSET qualification. Now globally, roughly 20-25% of people taking their courses are consumers.

Their courses fit into the National Qualification Framework and are accredited by the governments Qualification and Curriculum Authority.

The Foundation Certificate in Wine.

1 day course

Intermediate Certificate

3 day course or 8 evenings

The Professional Certificate in Spirits

3 day Course

Advanced Certificate (Level 3 in the national Framework)

5 day course

Diploma

This is a 2 year course with 120 hours contact time and another 360 hours of home study. It is a prerequisite for the Master of Wine qualification.

Their courses are run all over the world with 40% of all students coming from outside the UK.

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The music used for the UK Wine Show is Griffes de Jingle 1 by Marcel de la Jartèle and Silence by Etoile Noire.