WSET courses offered on Cunard cruises

Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET), has partnered with travel brand Cunard, to launch the first WSET certified wine and spirit courses on-board the flagship ocean liner Queen Mary 2.

The partnership with Cunard is the first time WSET courses will be available to guests on a transatlantic or round-world cruise line.

WSET courses will initially be available on Queen Mary 2’s Westbound Transatlantic Crossings and World Voyage trips with plans to extend courses to Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth later in 2017.

Classes will be led by WSET certified educator Andrés Solís Lira who, having been born at the foothills of the Andes mountains, in what is now the Cachapoal wine country, has worked in the wine world for the past decade joining Cunard in 2009 as a sommelier on Queen Mary 2 and rising to the position of educator for the Cunard Wine Academy.

Guests aboard Westbound Transatlantic Crossings from Southampton to New York can embark on a five day course to achieve WSET Level 1 Award in Wines. The course gives a hands-on introduction to the world of wine in an interactive and relaxed atmosphere for beginners. The course covers the basics of wine types and styles through sight, smell, and taste, as well as how to store and serve wine and pairing food with wine.

Guests aboard Round World Voyages from Southampton to Cape Town, Cape Town to Fremantle, Hong Kong to Dubai and Dubai to Southampton, can participate in a 12 day course to achieve WSET Level 2 Award in Wines and Spirits. The beginner to intermediate level course is for enthusiasts seeking a core understanding of wine and spirits. It explores the major grape varieties and the styles of wines they produce as well as important wine regions in which they are grown. Participants also learn about key classifications and labelling terminology and are given a basic overview of the key categories of spirits and liqueurs.

Each of the courses finishes with a multiple choice exam, and, on passing, candidates receive a globally recognised WSET qualification certificate and lapel pin as proof of their new knowledge.

The premier voyage to offer WSET courses will be the Westbound Transatlantic Crossing departing Southampton on December 15, 2016. The first Round World Voyage offering WSET courses will set off on January 10, 2017 from Southampton to Cape Town. Guests can book a WSET course by calling Cunard ahead of their journey or speaking to the sommelier whilst on board.

WSET Level 1 Award in Wines (US$295):

• Five day course of one hour morning sessions inclusive of revision day and multiple choice examination
• The price includes all study materials, examination fees, certificates, champagne reception and a four course lunch with matching wines in The Verandah Restaurant on the last day of the course
• During the course participants will have the opportunity to taste a minimum of ten wines and will also be provided with a WSET study guide to make notes on and take home
• Examination on the last day with 30 multiple choice questions to be answered in 45 minutes. A mark of 70% required to pass
• Certification - all guests who pass will be issued with a certificate suitable for framing and a lapel pin

WSET Level 2 Award in Wines and Spirits (US$595):

• 12 day course of two hour morning sessions inclusive of revision day and multiple choice examination
• The price includes all study materials, examination fees, certificates, champagne reception and a four course lunch with matching wines in The Verandah Restaurant on the last day of the course
• During the course participants will have the opportunity to taste up to 45 wines and four spirits and will also be provided with a WSET study guide for you to make notes on and take home
• Examination on the last day with 50 multiple choice questions to be answered in 60 minutes. A mark of 55% required to pass
• Certification - all guests who pass will be issued with a certificate suitable for framing and a lapel pin.

Booking:

For further information on dates or to book a course, guests can call the Cunard Contact Centre, Voyage Personaliser on:

UK, Europe, Middle East & Africa 00 44 (0)843 374 0000
USA 1-800-728 6273
Germany, Austria & Switzerland 00 800 180 84180
Australia 13 24 41
New Zealand 0800 95 1201
Or while on board call 22062 or speak to the restaurant sommelier

10 December 2016 - Sam Coyne The Drinks Report, editorial assistant