This qualification is a great introduction to sake: whether it’s for your career or you’d just like to know more

  • There are no entry requirements or previous experience necessary to take the course
  • It can be completed in as little as 1 day
  • Suitable for enthusiasts & those starting out their career in hospitality, catering or retail
  • You’ll learn how sake is made, how to serve it, the main types, styles and flavour
  • you’ll also learn how to describe the taste using the WSET’s Systematic Approach to Tasting (SAT)
  • You’ll taste seven Sakes
  • Choose from an in-person course or an online course
  • Find out what you’ll be studying on the course specification here

Who is This Course For?

This is an entry level course giving you a basic introduction to all things Sake. You’ll learn the basics about how it is made, the main styles available (Futsu-shu, Junmail, Honjozo, Ginjo, Daiginjo, Nigori & Koshu)- as well as basic principles of food & Sake matching, storage and service.

It is useful for those working in or looking to work for restaurants, bars, wine merchants or licenced wholesalers or retailers selling a range of Sake. It can also be helpful for younger people looking to start out their careers in the industry.

It’s also suitable for those looking to learn a bit more about Sake in a structured way, so they can enhance their enjoyment and appreciation. This makes a great present for the Sake enthusiast in your life too.

Additional Information

You don’t need any prior knowledge of sake (you do need to be over 18 as there’s tasting involved) and we provide you with extra support in the form of our exclusive study guides. These are free to Northern Wine School students and have been developed to really help you with your studies.

The classroom course ends in a paper based exam in Manchester. If studying the online or self-study options, the exam takes place online. It is a 30 question multiple-choice exam and you must score 70% or above to pass. Those who pass will get a certificate and lapel pin. For more details about the course & exam, please click here.

Purchasing one of our courses as a gift? They’ll love you forever! Please make sure you let us know their details after purchase (first & last names, date of birth & email address). They will need to be registered to take the exam at the end. They won’t be sent anything until a couple of weeks before the course, so the surprise won’t be spoiled - don’t worry!

WSET Level 1 Award in Sake Courses

Classroom Course

This is a really fun day-long course in central Manchester or Liverpool and is run by a WSET Certified Sake Educator (with a 100% pass rate). You will be given the WSET Level 1 Study Book containing everything you need to know and we supply the Sake samples that you will be tasting.

You’ll take the paper based exam at the end of the day. And don’t forget: you have free access to our WSET Sake 1 study guides so you can learn and practice before the day.

WSET Level 1 Award in Sake | Manchester
From £245.00

Location: 113 Portland Street, Manchester
Duration: 1 day
Next course: February 2, 2025
Time: 10:00am-5:30pm

  • WSET Level 1 Study Book
  • 7 premium Sake tasting samples
  • Free access to our WSET Sake 1 study guides
  • First attempt at WSET paper based exam in Manchester

Online Course

This is a four-week course with multiple start dates and is taught via the WSET Digital Classroom. It’s the same syllabus as the classroom course and you are given weekly activities, but you can study at your own pace. We will provide you with a list of sakes to source for the tastings.

You can download your study pack and we provide support via email and Zoom (should you wish). The course materials are available for a year after the course has ended.

You also have free access to our WSET Sake study guides so you can supplement your learning and practice questions before the exam. You can take the exam online and we will register you for a date that suits you.

WSET Level 1 Award in Sake | 4 Week Online Course
From £280.00

Location: Online classroom
Duration: 4 weeks
Next course: January 6, 2025

  • 4 week, modular guided course taught via the WSET’s Online Classroom
  • PDF download student workbook
  • You will need to source your own tasting samples
  • Includes access to our Level 1 Sake Study Guide
  • First attempt at online exam
WSET Level 1 & 2 exams can be taken online for online taught courses & resits. Please read the Candidate Information Document for technical requirements, or get in touch with any questions you have.