WSET Level 1 Award in Wines course is a good introductory first course for the wine enthusiast who wishes to be introduced in a structured way to wine styles, storing and serving of wine and food and wine matching.

This course is also for those preparing for, or employees starting, their first job in wine. The qualification aims to provide the basic product knowledge and skills in the service and retail of wine to prepare a person for their first job in hospitality or retail.

There are no restrictions on entry for the Level 1 Award in Wines.

There are no requirements for candidates to have previous knowledge or previous experience of alcoholic beverages.

Students who are under the legal minimum age for the retail purchase of alcoholic beverages in Ireland will not be allowed to sample any alcoholic beverage as part of their course, but this is not a barrier to successfully completing the qualification.

Candidates applying to sit the examination must be over the legal minimum age for the retail purchase of alcoholic beverages in Ireland, or be preparing for the examination as part of a recognised full-time programme of study, or have obtained parental consent.