Courses / WSET Wines / Level 1
Level 1 · Wines
WSET Level 1 Award in Wines
A one-day course for people who are new to wine, or need the basics for their work. You taste, learn how wine is made and served, and take a short exam on the same day. In Barcelona, in English or Spanish.
Who it is for
Is this the right level?
- You enjoy wine and want to understand what is in the glass, starting from zero.
- You work, or want to work, in a restaurant, a bar, a wine shop or on a yacht, and need the basics.
- You want a first recognised qualification before going on to Level 2.
No entry requirements.
What you will cover
Six things you take away.
- How to taste and describe wine, with WSET’s Level 1 tasting method
- The main grape varieties and the wines they make
- How grapes are grown and wine is made, in outline
- How to store and serve wine
- How to match wine with food
- The health, safety and legal points everyone serving wine should know
The facts
Everything you need before you book.
Price
€280 including 21% IVA. Includes the workbook, the exam fee, the digital certificate and all the wines you taste.
Payment
In full when you book.
Group discount
5% off each place for 2, 8% for 3, 10% for 4 to 7, booked together.
Length
One full day in class, plus about 5 hours of study before the day, which we recommend.
Where
Hotel Europark, Barcelona. Carrer d’Aragó 323-325, 08009 Barcelona.
Exam
30 multiple-choice questions, closed book, at the end of the day. You need 21 correct answers (70%) to pass.
Resit
€95, only if you do not pass or you cancel the exam.
Language
English course: classes, materials and exam in English. Spanish course: all in Spanish. The ebook is in English only.
Study materials
Delivered to you. Delivery outside mainland Spain costs extra, unless you choose the ebook.
Entry requirements
None.
Register
At least 10 working days before the course starts.
How it runs
Two ways to take the same qualification.
In the classroom
One day at Hotel Europark in Barcelona, from 9:00 to 17:00 (usually; some days finish earlier). You taste through the main styles, learn the theory around them, and sit the exam at the end of the day. Read the workbook before you come: about five hours, spread over a week or two. Coming from outside Barcelona? Metro: Girona (L4) is 200 m away; Passeig de Gràcia (L2, L3, L4) is four blocks away. Parking: Aparcament Mercat de la Concepció, Carrer d’Aragó 315, next to the hotel.
Book at least 10 working days before the course
Online
The same qualification, studied from home at your own pace with recorded lessons and an educator to answer your questions. Exam online or in Barcelona.
€185 incl. IVA · See the online course →
The exam
30 questions, on the day.
To gain the qualification, you pass a closed-book exam of 30 multiple-choice questions at the end of the course day. You need 21 correct answers (70%) to pass. The exam fee is in the price. If you do not pass, or you cannot sit the exam, you can resit on a later date for €95.
Course specification
The official specification.
WSET publishes the official specification for this qualification: the learning outcomes, the exam rules and sample questions. Read it before you book.
WSET Level 1 Award in Wines specification (PDF, English) →
WSET Level 1 Award in Wines specification (PDF, Spanish) →
Dates
When it runs.
No date that suits you? Choose which of 2 to 4 dates you could do, or tell us none fit. We open a course when 8 people choose the same date.
Pick your datesQuestions
Asked and answered.
Before you book
Is Level 1 right for me?
Yes, if you are new to wine or want a first qualification. There are no entry requirements. If you already know the main grapes and regions, look at Level 2.
Will this make me a sommelier?
No. WSET qualifications are not sommelier qualifications, and no course on its own makes you one. Many people who work as sommeliers take WSET courses, though, and Level 1 is a good first step if you want to work with wine.
Can I pay in instalments?
No. Level 1 is paid in full when you book. Level 2, Level 3 and the packs can be paid in two or three parts.
Do I have to be a certain age? Does the course involve alcohol?
You must be 18 or over. Every course involves tasting wine, which contains alcohol. You can taste and spit, and you never have to swallow.
What if I need adjustments to take part?
Tell us when you book, or write to us before the course. We arrange reasonable adjustments for the classes and the exam, for example extra time or a different room set-up. Read our reasonable adjustments policy →
What is the cancellation and refund policy?
You can cancel and get a refund, minus a €25 fee per person, up to 15 working days before the course, or move to another course up to 10 working days before. After that there is no refund. Online courses are not refunded once booked.
Can I get the invoice in a company’s name?
Yes. Tick “I need the invoice in a company’s name” at checkout and fill in the company details. Forgot? Write to us within 14 days of booking.
The course
What does the price include?
The workbook, the exam fee, the digital certificate and all the wines you taste.
How much study is there besides the course day?
About five hours of reading. We recommend reading the workbook before the day.
How do I get the study materials?
We deliver them to you. Delivery outside mainland Spain costs extra, unless you choose the ebook (English only).
Can I take the course in English or Spanish?
Both. Choose the date in the language you want. Each course runs fully in that language: classes, materials and exam.
The exam
What does the exam consist of?
30 multiple-choice questions, closed book, at the end of the course day. You need 21 correct answers (70%) to pass.
What if I do not pass?
You resit on a later exam date. The resit costs €95 and is charged only if you do not pass or you cancel the exam.
When do I get my certificate?
WSET releases results within 15 working days of receiving the exam papers, which we send straight after your exam. We pass your result on to you straight away, and WSET emails your digital certificate directly to the address you booked with.
Online or classroom?
How is the online course different?
Same qualification, same exam. You study from home at your own pace with recorded lessons and 12 months of access, for €185 including IVA, and sit the exam online (€50 extra) or in Barcelona. See the online course →
In your inbox
Want it in writing?
We email you a one-page summary of this course with the dates, the price and the exam rules, so you can read it in peace or forward it.
A question we have not answered? Ask us. We usually reply within 24 hours on weekdays.
Your teachers
Who is in the room.
Michael Salverda
Alexandre Zaragoza
Fran Guiñazú
What students say
In their words.
What students say
In their words.
4.9 on Google from 152 reviews
I recently completed the WSET Level 1 Award in Wines on October 4th with Michael as our instructor, and it was a fantastic experience from start to finish. Michael made the course engaging, informative, and perfectly paced for beginners. His deep knowledge of wine, combined … Read more
My experience at Wine School Rack & Return has exceeded all expectations! The course was incredibly well-structured, and our instructor, Michael Salverda, was exceptional. His professional approach and deep knowledge helped prepare us thoroughly for the certification exam, and thanks to his guidance, I was … Read more
Excelente academia para hacer el WSET. Siempre se mantuvieron en contacto y resolvieron mis dudas.
Pack · save €94
Level 1 now, Level 2 next.
Book the WSET Level 1 Award in Wines and the WSET Level 2 Award in Wines, both in the classroom, for €1,071 instead of €1,165. Take Level 2 on any open date within 18 months, at the price you paid.
Comparing WSET with other wine qualifications? Read our wine education guide.
