The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) is launching a new qualification in Sake with a Level 2 Award, adding to the Level 1 and Level 3 Awards in sake it already offers.
The Level 3 and Level 1 Awards were launched in 2014 and 2016 respectively and since then more than 17,000 students around the world have taken a WSET sake qualification.
Michelle Brampton, WSET’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “Globally, sake continues to be an exciting category. 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.”
The Level 2 Award will build on Level 1 and will explore in 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.
Natsuki Kikuya, WSET’s Senior Researcher – Sake Research & Curriculum, said: “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.”
The Level 2 Award in Sake will be available from 21 course providers in eight countries from this April, following pilots conducted in Japan, the US and the UK.