Booking your first wine course is exciting, and it is completely normal to wonder how the day will run. Each WSET Level 1 wine course Manchester runs brings together a real mix of people, from total beginners to hospitality and retail staff brushing up their knowledge, so you will be in good company whatever your starting point. Here is exactly how your day unfolds, so you can walk in relaxed and ready to enjoy it.
Your day runs from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm in central Manchester, with time to find your feet before things begin. One of our WSET Certified Wine Educators will welcome you, hand you your WSET Level 1 study book and show you to your seat. The room is friendly and informal, the sort of place where every question is a good one, so bring yourself and a sense of fun and adventure, and we will bring the rest.
The morning eases you into the world of wine. You will look at how wine is made, the main grape varieties, and why a crisp Sauvignon Blanc tastes so different from a rich, oaky Chardonnay. Your educator keeps things clear and practical, building your confidence step by step rather than burying you in detail.
By the time you break, you will already be describing what is in your glass using the proper language. If you would like a head start, our A to Z wine glossary is a friendly way to pick up the terms before you arrive.
This is the part most people look forward to. Across the day, you will taste six wines, chosen to show off the main styles you are learning about. We supply everything, so you simply taste, swirl, sniff and make your notes alongside your educator.
You will learn to read the clues in colour, aroma and flavour, and to match wine with food in a way that genuinely changes how you shop and order. If you have enjoyed one of our Manchester wine tasting experiences before, this gives that same pleasure real structure. There is a lunch break in the middle too, with plenty of options in the city centre on the doorstep.
The day finishes with the WSET Level 1 exam, taken on paper before you leave. It is a 30-question multiple-choice paper, and you need 70 per cent to pass. It sounds more daunting than it is, because everything you need has been covered during the day.
To help you feel ready, every Northern Wine School student gets free access to our WSET Wines study guides. These guides are a big reason our pass rates sit comfortably above the WSET average, so it is well worth working through them before your course.
We have been teaching wine in Manchester since 2014 and have grown into one of the fastest-growing WSET providers in the world, with thousands of students taught along the way.
You learn from educators who travel to the vineyards they teach about, which means the knowledge you take home is grounded in real visits and real stories, not just a textbook.
Bring yourself, your curiosity and a valid photo ID, as you need to be over 18 to take part. Everything else, including your study book and all the wines, is provided. There is no homework and no prior knowledge required, so you really can turn up and learn.
Once you pass, you will receive a digital certificate and, better still, a new way of looking at every bottle you pick up. Plenty of our students catch the bug and move on to the WSET Level 2 Award in Wines, where you explore the world’s wine regions in far more depth.
If you would like a feel for the experience first, our guide on what to expect from wine tasting in Manchester is a lovely place to start.
You can see upcoming dates, prices and full details on the WSET Level 1 Award in Wines page, and book your seat in a couple of minutes. Courses do book up, so it is worth choosing your date sooner rather than later.
Still have a question before you commit? Our FAQs cover the most common ones, or you can get in touch, and we will be glad to help. Taste More. Learn More. Enjoy More.
Do I need any wine knowledge before I start?
Not at all. The WSET Level 1 is designed for complete beginners, so you do not need any prior experience or revision. The only requirement is that you are over 18, as there is wine tasting involved.
How long is the day, and when do I sit the exam?
The classroom course runs from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm, and you take the exam on paper before you leave. It is a 30-question multiple-choice paper, and you need 70 per cent to pass. Prefer evenings? The same course is also available over three weeks.
What is included on the day?
Quite a lot. You get your WSET Level 1 study book, six wines to taste, a full day of tuition from a WSET Certified Wine Educator, your first exam attempt and a digital certificate when you pass. You also get free access to our WSET Wines study guides to use beforehand.
Can I study online instead of in a classroom?
Yes. There is a four-week online version taught through the WSET Digital Classroom, with the same syllabus and an online exam. You can choose whether to source your own tasting samples or have a box shipped to you.
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