About the course

This qualification is intended for anyone wishing to learn about the different styles of sake and how they are made, as well as those seeking to build on the introductory knowledge gained with the WSET Level 1 Award in Sake.

The WSET Level 2 Award in Sake focuses on how the ingredients used by brewers are processed and combined to create the many different styles of sake. It will also teach you how to describe and assess the quality of the sakes you taste.

If you are a sake or hospitality professional, you’ll be able to offer valuable guidance on selection and service to your colleagues and customers. If you are a sake enthusiast, you’ll know exactly what to look for when choosing sakes for any occasion.

What you'll learn

• The ingredients used to make sake: This includes the ingredients that brewers are required to use and the ones they can choose. We also cover the varieties of rice that are used to make sake.

• Processing the raw materials: We cover how steamed white rice and Koji (a type of fungus used for fermentation) are made and how different styles of sake require rice with different polishing ratios and different styles of Koji. 

• How sake is made: We explore all of the main techniques that are used from fermentation starter to dilution and packaging and how different choices are made when making the different styles of sake.

• Common labelling terms, including how some of the most important ones are written in Japanese.

• How to taste and describe sake using the WSET Level 2 Systematic Approach to Tasting Sake®.

• Learn more about what you will cover during the course here: WSET® Level 2 Award in Sake Specification.
  

Course delivery

The course is based around a five-week, six-module online programme with educator support available for this time. There is a recommendation of six hours study per week to cover the online activities and read the relevant chapters in the textbook. There are no fixed times to log-on as there is no "live" delivery of content. Students can therefore complete their learning at times that suit them. Students are advised to taste a range of sakes during their studies and can post their tasting notes in the Online Classroom for review by the educator. All the required sakes for the course can be found in the specification. Click here for a demo of the online classroom! Students will have access to the online classroom and the corresponding course materials for one year from the course start date.

Assessment

Assessment is by a closed-book exam of 50 multiple-choice questions to be completed within one hour. A total mark of 55% is required to achieve a pass. All students who pass will be issued with a digital certificate and a digital lapel pin. Students enrolled in the WSET Level 2 in Sake will take their exams online via Remote Invigilation. The candidates will take the exam on a computer in a secure environment from their home where they are monitored via webcam, screen sharing technology and a secondary recording device (cell phone). Online exams take place through Florida Wine Academy at pre-determined dates and times throughout the year. A list of the available exam dates will be provided following student registration with WSET, seven working days prior to the course start date. The exam must take place after the advertised finish date of the course and within one year after the course start date.

Printed materials

All students will be sent printed study materials to the mailing address provided upon course registration and will receive tracking information when the materials have been shipped. We recommend adding the email address ‘info@floridawineacademy.com’ to your safe sender list, in order to prevent any relevant communication going to spam. It is the responsibility of the student to liaise with USPS regarding any issue relating to the delivery of these materials. Florida Wine Academy is unable to replace printed study materials free of charge in the case that an issue arises with delivery. Kindly note that in the situation where a student wishes to cancel their course registration, the cost of the printed study materials is non-refundable.

What happens after course registration

1. Immediately: You will receive an automated email order confirmation after registering for a course.
2. Within two business days of your order: Florida Wine Academy will ship the WSET Level 2 in Sake study pack, containing a textbook and a workbook, to the mailing address provided upon registration. You will receive a tracking number once this has shipped.
3. Seven working days prior to the course start date: Florida Wine Academy will register you with WSET for the online course dates selected; you will then receive an email with further information regarding the online course.

The price includes the online WSET Level 2 in Sake study pack, online tuition, and the remote invigilation exam.