Develop Specialist Knowledge

International Recognition as an Expert in the Field of Wine

The fall 2022 in-class WSET Diploma program is sold out. Contact diploma@iweg.org for more information.

Learn more about the online WSET Diploma that starts on October 3rd.

The market-leading WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines qualification provides expert level knowledge and develops key analytical skills for success in the global wine business. Perfect for both the trade professional and the serious enthusiast, the course will arm you with specialist-level skills and experience, plus international recognition as an expert in the field of wine.

Holders of the Diploma will be able to identify characteristics of the principal wines of the world, make informed assessments of a product’s quality and value, and identify appropriate opportunities for the products within a given market.

You will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to underpin the job requirements in such roles as Food & Beverage Manager, Wine Buyer or Sales Executive.

The Diploma fulfills the prerequisite for the wine qualification requirement for entry to the Master of Wine (MW) program.

Man dressed in black smiling while smelling a white wine

The WSET Diploma has been on my radar since I passed my sommelier at 21. I’m honestly beyond thrilled to be enrolled in the program this year. My ultimate goals are to land a role in marketing wine and to complete the Master of Wine program, and I know that the education I’ll receive through the WSET Diploma will put me on the right track to accomplish both. – Josh 

The IWEG experience

As the leading organization in wine, spirits and sake education in Canada, IWEG has offered the WSET Level 4 Diploma since 1988.

Our Diploma graduates over the years have gone on to become vital members of the wine and spirits industry in Canada and worldwide. IWEG holds the record for having the largest amount of Diploma graduates in Canada!

IWEG has been offering Diploma studies for longer than any institute outside of the WSET School in London, which means we enjoy a long history of student success. Our passionate and highly qualified Diploma educators, who come from different fields within the trade, provide on-going support to help you master the analytical tasting skills and supplemental theoretical knowledge necessary to succeed.

Become a More Confident Spirits Taster

Black and white photo of a man with a bear smiling away from the camera in a bar with a cocktail in front of him.

Become a more confident spirits taster and learn how to use a globally-recognized approach to tasting to analyze the appearance, nose, palate and quality level of a range of styles.

WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits covers the main categories of spirits and liqueurs and examines the influences of production methods on the different styles available in each category, building on the introductory knowledge gained with the WSET Level 1 Award in Spirits. Throughout the course, you’ll develop analytical tasting skills while exploring the use of spirits in cocktails.

This 14-hour course provides fundamental product knowledge and systematic tasting skills. Expect to spend an additional 12 hours on preparation and review outside of the classroom.

You’ll learn:

  • How to taste and describe spirits using the WSET Level 2 Systematic Approach to Tasting Wine®(SAT)
  • Major spirits categories and styles, as well as liqueurs, vermouth and cocktails
  • The four main steps in spirits production
  • What labelling terms mean
  • Assessment and description skills as you sample a range of benchmark examples
  • Basic principles of spirits storage and service and about cocktail equipment, ingredients, basic techniques and main cocktail families

The course starts soon on Mondays, September 26th – November 14th at 6:30pm – 8:30pm.

Consider the Vineyard and Winery Factors that Contribute to Italian Wine Styles

A bottle of wine, a glass of red wine and the Italian Wine Scholar study manuals for unit 1 on the wines of Northern Italy and unit 2 on the wines of Central and Southern Italy.

Develop specialist knowledge of DOC and DOCG wines and appreciate the cultural context of Italian wine.

The Italian Wine Scholar is an extensive two-unit specialist certification focused on the diverse wines and wine regions of Italy. It is designed by the Wine Scholar Guild to provide current, accurate information on all of the wine regions of Northern, Central and Southern Italy, and to validate proficiency in the wines and wine regions of the country.

Unit 1 is 16 hours and covers Northern Italy and Unit 2 is 14 hours and covers Central and Southern Italy. The course provides detailed coverage of Italian wines, as well as an introduction to Italian history, geography, viticulture and winemaking. The units can be taken in any order and are sold seperately.

You will:

  • Develop specialist knowledge of DOC and DOCG wines of 21 Italian regions
  • Appreciate the cultural context of Italian wine
  • Consider the vineyard and winery factors that contribute to wine styles
  • Taste and assess a range of Italian wines, which illustrate regional or grape varietal typicity, as well as diversity of styles by authorized Wine Scholar Guild instructors

The Northern Italy starts soon on Thursdays, September 22nd – November 24th at 6:30pm – 8:30pm.

WSET to Hold First Virtual Open House

Free to attend, the online event will showcase WSET’s portfolio of globally recognised wine, spirit and sake qualifications. The event has been designed to appeal to anyone interested in learning about WSET education as well as existing WSET students considering taking another qualification. The event will also offer businesses the opportunity to learn how WSET training can add value to their teams. 

To find out more about WSET’s Open House, visit the event page here, and to register for the event, sign up here.

Appreciate the Cultural Context of Spanish Wine

Develop specialist knowledge of the DO / DOCa regions and appreciate the cultural context of Spanish wine.

The Spanish Wine Scholar is an in-depth specialist certification focused on the wines and wine regions of Spain. It is designed by the Wine Scholar Guild to provide current, accurate information on all of the wine regions of Spain and validate proficiency in the wines and wine regions of Spain.

This 16-hour course provides detailed coverage of Spanish wine regions, as well as an introduction to Spanish history, geography, viticulture and winemaking.

You will:

  • Develop specialist knowledge of the DO / DOCa regions in seven sessions involving: Green Spain; The Duero River Valley; La Rioja; The Ebro River Valley / Central Mediterranean Coast; Cataluña; La Meseta /Islands and Andalucia
  • Appreciate the cultural context of Spanish wine
  • Consider the vineyard and winery factors that contribute to wine styles
  • Taste a curated range of Spanish wines specially prepared for this course by authorized Wine Scholar Guild instructors

The course will run Tuesdays, October 4th – November 22nd at 6:30pm – 8:30pm.