Europe Africa
Celebrating 90 years . .
Celebrating 90 years . .
Visiting Major Wine Regions
Visiting Major Wine Regions
Visiting Major Wine Regions
Visiting Major Wine Regions
Learning from masters
Learning from masters
Formal but fun
Formal but fun
Buying for quality
Buying for quality
Awarding excellence, applauding service
Awarding excellence, applauding service
Sampling the Best
Sampling the Best
Visiting the wineries
Visiting the wineries
Wine, food and friends
Wine, food and friends
EAZ Rioja Festival
20th - 25th May 2025
Now open for booking
EAZ Rioja Festival
20th - 25th May 2025
Now open for booking

Learn More about Wine

IW&FS Members are being offered a unique opportunity to gain a Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Level 2 - Intermediate Certificate

• Have you ever thought that you would like to know a little more about wine?
• Do you find that half of the wines on a restaurant’s wine list are unfamiliar?
• Do you tend to stick to a few favourites to be on the safe side?
• Do you find that sommeliers make you feel just a tiny bit uncomfortable?
• Would you like to be able to play them at their own game?

In 2013 London Branch Members were offered the opportunity to take a course leading to this internationally recognised qualification. 11 members put themselves forward - all gained either a Distinction or a Merit.

In 2014 this offer is being extended to all IWFS Members.

This is because Jeffrey Benson, the Chairman of Lomdon Branch, is an approved programme provider and examiner for WSET, and has been given permission to use the DoubleTree Hilton as an approved examination centre. He is offering a unique 1-day intensive seminar culminating in the 1-hour multiple choice examination. Normally WSET themselves, and others, offer this course as a 6-week series of once-a-week classes.

The syllabus is wide ranging, focusing on the influences of grape variety, climate and wine making styles around the world. This is a good starting point for the exploration of the diversity wine styles available. The content of the course not only covers grape varieties and regions but also the red, white, rose, sparkling, sweet and fortified wines that they produce, and introduces the subject of spirits and wine and food pairing as well as basic wine tasting techniques. It gives a solid base of knowledge of wines and spirits, is aimed at wine enthusiasts who wish to acquire in-depth knowledge of wines and spirits and want an internationally recognised qualification. It is ideal for anyone wishing to be introduced to wine and spirits in an informative and structured manner and is entirely suitable for both the enthusiast and those who wish to increase their knowledge.

No formal qualifications are required . All that is needed is enthusiasm for the subject, a desire to learn more, and the commitment to study independently. By asking for early registration, we are able to supply the study packs, produced by WSET, in time to give you ample opportunity to study them. We will need to receive your booking by 31st December 2013. There is no blind tasting and no requirement for written answers in the examination.

The unique one-day format makes this very suitable for out-of-London members. The seminar will start at 10.00 am with a one hour lunch break. Lunch is not provided, but is readily available locally.  The exam will start at 4.00 pm and finish at 5.00 pm. The venue is less than 5 minutes walk from Victoria Station.  The cost is £150.00 for IWFS members.

Immediate expressions of interest would be welcomed from any IWFS member interested in taking this course next year. Please contact Jeffrey Benson by email: jeffrey.benson@iwfs.co.uk. or phone on +44 020 8673 4439.  Alternatively, you can book and pay on line by clicking this link.

Date: Saturday 29th March 2014; 10.00am to 5.00pm
Venue: Doubletree by Hilton Hotels, 2 Bridge Place, London SW1 1QA (nearest tube Victoria)
Cost: IWFS Members £150.00