Want to learn more about sake, Japan’s national beverage, and earn a globally recognized qualification acknowledging your newfound expertise? The Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Level 2 Award in Sake is a two day in-person course covering all the main categories of sake styles, examining the influences of production methods on each different category, and exploring traditional and modern elements of sake service in Japan. It’s perfect for people in the restaurant and hospitality industries who want to master all the sake basics and improve their employability, as well as enthusiastic consumers who want to better understand the wonderful beverage in their glass. No prior sake knowledge is required to take the course, so it is suitable for people new to sake as well as those wishing to build on the introductory knowledge gained with the WSET Level 1 Award in Sake (NOTE that Level 1 is not a required pre-requisite for Level 2). Throughout the course, you will develop analytical sake tasting skills using the WSET Structured Approach to Tasting (SAT) while exploring sake style and quality and linking tasting back to theory.

You will learn how to confidently describe what the general sake categories you have studied taste like. You will also become a competent sake taster and start the journey of learning the links between aroma, taste and touch to the theory of production. You will taste a minimum of 18 sake samples during the 15 hours of in-person classroom instruction. Upon successful completion of a 1-hour multiple-choice exam taking place two weeks after conclusion of the course, you will receive a WSET certificate and lapel pin and will be able to use the associated WSET certified logo.

About the Instructor and School:

Dr. Sarah Stewart teaches sake, wine and cheese classes at West London Wine School. She is a WSET Certified Sake Educator, judges sake at the International Wine Challenge, hold extensive sake and wine qualifications, and serves as the Membership & Events Officer for the British Sake Association. She lived in Japan for two years and returns annually to continue her beverage studies there. You can find her @sakestudies on Instagram.

West London Wine School is a local, independent and award-winning wine, sake, beer and cheese education company founded in 2010 and based in the heart of West London. Our courses and tastings focus on enjoying beverages whilst learning more in a relaxed and informal setting with friendly people and industry-leading tutors. In 2018 we received the prestigious WSET Educator of the Year Award for the top wine education provider globally, and have an average review score of 5 stars on Trip Advisor.