WSET Level 1 Award in Wines
Curious about wine but unsure where to start? The WSET Level 1 Award in Wines is a globally recognized beginner course designed for wine lovers and hospitality professionals who want to build a foundation in wine knowledge, tasting, and service. No prior experience is required. Students will explore major grape varieties, wine styles, food pairing principles, and basic wine service techniques in a supportive, non-graded environment. There will be no in-person sampling of wine, this course is on Zoom, nor is any sampling required to complete the course and take the WSET exam.
International Beverage Academy is proud to offer this course as an Approved Programme Provider for the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET). The course includes a final certification exam, and successful students receive the WSET Level 1 credential — a qualification highly regarded by employers in hospitality, food & beverage, and tasting room operations. **Note: Students sitting for the WSET Level 1 credential exam will need to provide the instructor their name, contact info, and DOB. This is how WSET creates an individualized candidate number that is attached to your profile, in case you choose to pursue a higher level course or need your certificate resent again.
Core Topics:
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How wine is made and what factors influence style
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The main types and styles of wine
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Introduction to key grape varieties
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Principles of food and wine pairing
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Storage and service of wine
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Tasting technique using WSET’s Systematic Approach to Tasting (SAT)
Instructor: Luis Romero
Luis Romero is a certified WSET instructor, wine educator, and hospitality professional with over a decade of experience in teaching, training, and curating beverage programs across the United States. He is a WSET Diploma Candidate and holds a WSET Level 3 Award in Wines and Spirits, is a Certified Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers, Cicerone Level 2 and Society of Wine Educators Beverage Specialist focusing on coffee and tea. He is the founder of this Approved Program Provider (APP) offering WSET certifications.
Luis also holds two master’s degrees—one in Hospitality Management and the other in Creative Writing—bringing together industry rigor and the power of storytelling in every course he teaches. His teaching philosophy is rooted in sensory exploration, cultural context, and real-world application. Whether you are preparing for your first certification or looking to deepen your wine knowledge, Luis delivers an immersive and supportive learning experience designed to help you succeed in English and Spanish.
Participant Learning Objectives/Outcomes
Level 1 Wine Specification Packet. By the end of the course, students will be able to:
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Describe the key stages of grape growing and winemaking.
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Identify and categorize the main types and styles of wine.
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Recognize and describe the characteristics of common grape varieties.
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Apply best practices for wine service and storage.
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Use WSET's Systematic Approach to Tasting (SAT) to evaluate a wine's appearance, aroma, and palate.
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Understand principles of food and wine pairing and apply them in basic scenarios.
Reasonable Accommodations/Refund Policy
Highline College's Access Services provides reasonable accommodations for qualified students, employees and applicants with disabilities in accordance with The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Federal Rehabilitation Act.
If you are in need of accommodations for the WSET Level 1 credential exam, please review the guidelines & process on the International Beverage Academy webpage.
To review Highline College's Continuing Education refund policy, click here.
International Beverage Academy Terms & Conditions.