CRAFTS OF THE TRADE

Founded in 1969 to promote, provide and develop high-quality education and training in wines and spirits, WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) has grown into the foremost global provider of education and examination in the field of wines and spirits. The program is available in 18 different languages and in 62 countries and Château Ksara is the APP (Approved Program Provider) in Lebanon to offer it. Discussing this matter, Zafer Chaoui, president of Château Ksara said, “Château Ksara is offering Levels 1, 2 & 3. Level 1 Award in Wines is USD 200 with 10 wines tasted in one full-day, at the end of which the applicant is assessed by a multiple-choice paper of 30 questions. Level 2 Award in Wines and Spirits is for USD 600 with 50 wines and four spirits tasted during three full days, with applicants assessed by a multiple-choice paper of 50 questions by the end of day three. As for the Level 3 Award in Wines, the five days course costs USD 1,200 with 80 wines tasted and assessed by a multiple-choice paper, short written answers and a blind tasting.” The study materials are sent to the applicants a month in advance. The exam papers, upon completion, are immediately sealed and sent to the WSET offices in UK for evaluation. The results and certificates are then privately sent to the students two weeks later for Levels 1 and 2, and eight weeks for Level 3. When asked to clarify why the fourth and final level of WSET is still unavailable in Lebanon, he explained, “It is not offered because we need a consistently high number of Level 3 graduates and I believe we will in two years. Furthermore, the course spans over a two-year period and requires a team of very highly qualified lecturers. Hopefully, if the initial success of WSET continues, Lebanon could be considered as a potential center for Level 4.” The Level 4, which is a two-year diploma, constitutes the stepping stone to joining the Institute of Masters of Wine, which currently has 318 members. The WSET sessions are organized four times a year.