30 young wine experts from ten European countries acquired “Level 2 Award in Wines”
June 3rd – The joint initiative of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), the world’s largest education provider of wine, spirits and sake qualifications, and ProWein, the leading international wine and spirits trade fair, was a resounding success: 30 young wine experts just starting their professional path in the wine and spirits sector have acquired the “Level 2 Award in Wines” – an ideal foundation for their future professional career.
As part of the “Level 2 Award in Wines” the young talents from ten European countries (Belgium, Germany, France, Great Britain, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Switzerland and Spain) comprehensively deepened their knowledge. The test covered the most various aspects of wine: grape growing options in the vineyard, production process, climatic conditions for the vines, the most important grape varieties of the leading European wine-growing regions, different wine styles, aspects of wine storage and bottle ageing influence as well as the basics in wine service and pairing of food and wine. In addition to the regular Level 2 courses, ProWein and WSET joined forces to offer the students additional tastings, focusing on one specific wine region. The “Verband Deutscher Prädikats- und Qualitätsweingüter” (VDP), the “Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico” and “Wines of Portugal” supported this campaign and allowed the young professionals (the average age was 27; the youngest was 22, the oldest 30) home tastings of more than 40 selected white, red, rosé, sparkling and liqueur wines. In addition, the graduates were given a look behind the scenes of ProWein through an online presentation by Bastian Mingers, Director of ProWein.
“We really enjoyed working with these talented young professionals from across Europe. In a difficult year for the industry, the aim was to develop useful and transferrable skills to help this group become future leaders. Running the course by video conference has allowed us to reach a wide and diverse audience, which has been new and exciting for us as well. We are looking forward to meeting the students in person at next year’s ProWein”, stated Rachel Webster, Business Development Director EMEA WSET.
“I am very pleased that we were able to realize an international initiative for young wine professionals together with WSET – and this despite the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting cancellation of ProWein 2021. Originally, the final exam was scheduled at the trade fair this year but now had to be implemented online – which worked out great,” added Bastian Mingers, Director of ProWein. “But nothing can replace the real trade fair; it alone provides the platform for networking, know-how and tasting for young talents as well as seasoned professionals.”
About the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET)
- Set up in 1969, WSET is the largest global provider of wine, spirits and sake qualifications.
- WSET offers qualifications across four levels, from beginner courses through to an expert level diploma. Courses are available in more than 15 languages and over 70 countries and are open both to industry professionals and interested enthusiasts.
- WSET is recognized as an awarding organization by Ofqual, the English regulator of qualifications and examinations. All WSET qualifications have a strong reputation worldwide as the industry standard for knowledge.
- In the last academic year (2019/20) nearly 100,000 candidates sat for a WSET qualification and, since 1969, WSET has awarded nearly one million individuals a WSET qualification.
- For more information about WSET: www.WSETglobal.com
About ProWein
ProWein is the leading international trade fair for wines and spirits. Each year about 6,900 exhibitors and over 61,000 trade visitors come to Düsseldorf, Germany for focused business. For more than 25 years ProWein has convinced experts with its strict trade visitor concept and unique ranges and has consistently developed from a small wine trade fair into the international No. 1 of the wines and spirits industry. www.prowein.com
