The Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) was established in London in 1969 and currently offers their prestigious wine courses in over 60 countries and 18 languages. The UK-based WSET courses are considered to be the gold standard in wine education and Fine Vintage is the Harvard of wine school that organizes these course. Fernando is the local instructor for Level 1-3.
Chicago Wine School
The Fine Vintage wine school offers WSET wine courses and Sommelier courses in Chicago, Illinois. Wine tasting courses in Chicago are available for wine enthusiasts and industry members including wine importers, agents, wine sales representatives, servers, sommeliers, wine store staff, winemakers and grape growers. Wine tasting courses are available at The Chopping Block in Chicago, Illinois. WSET Level 1, 2 and 3 programs. Fine Vintage is the leading provider of wine education in USA.
The WSET series includes the Level 1, 2, 3 and 4 Award in Wines and Spirits.
- The Level 1 Award in Wines course is ideal for the absolute beginner and those with a basic knowledge of wine.
- The Level 2 Award in Wines and Spirits course is a step up, and goes into more depth about classic grape varieties and wine producing countries.
- The Level 3 Award in Wines and Spirits course is for the serious trade professional or passionate enthusiast.
- The Level 4 Diploma in Wines and Spirits is the highest level of the WSET courses and is a highly respected qualification around the world.
The Chicago wine courses are run at The Chopping Block "Saffron" Kitchen", located at The Merchandise Mart. The address is 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, Suite 107, Chicago, IL 60654. Parking is available in the indoor garage and an outdoor lot, at the corner of Kinzie and Wells Street for a fee; or street meter parking. Click here to view map.
Starter Kit:
You will need to purchase a starter kit, consisting of 6 ISO tasting glasses in a carry bag ($45), unless you have already purchased one from us for a previous course. You will be given the kit on the first day of the course and they are yours to keep.
Everyone appreciates having their own professional wine tasting glasses so you can practice at home and then bring your own glasses to the course.
Upcoming Couses
WSET LEVEL 1 AWARD IN WINES
Course Type:WSET Level 1 in Wines: 1 day course
Date & Time:Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, 9:00am-5:00pm
**Instructor: Fernando Beteta
Cost:$349.00 (includes WSET exam, instruction, wine and all study materials)
WSET LEVEL 2 AWARD IN WINES & SPIRITS
Course Type:WSET Level 2: 3 day course
Date & Time:Sat/Sun/Sat, Nov. 5, 6 & 12, 2016, 9:00am-5:00pm
**Instructor: James Cluer, Fernando Beteta & Viktorija Todorovska
Cost:$899.00 (includes WSET exam, instruction, wine and all study materials)
WSET LEVEL 3 AWARD IN WINES & SPIRITS
Course Type:WSET Level 3: 6 day course
Date & Time:Sat/Sun X 3, March 18, 19, 25, 26, April 1, 2, 2017, 9:00am-5:00pm
**Instructors: Fernando Beteta & Lynn Coulthard
Cost:$1,525.00 (includes WSET exam, instruction, wine and all study materials)
Fine Vintage Ltd, Winner of the Riedel Trophy for WSET Educator of the Year 2011
On January 23rd, 2012, at a ceremony in London, Fine Vintage Ltd was awarded the most sought-after trophy amongst wine schools around the world - The Riedel Trophy for WSET Educator of the Year 2011.
Fine Vintage Ltd offers the WSET courses, which are professional qualifications in wine with international recognition. If you want to learn about wine, for business or pleasure, then these internationally recognized wine courses are perfect. They are designed for both members of the wine industry, as well as, wine enthusiasts who want to expand their knowledge. The unparalleled expertise of our instructors, combined with our friendly, approachable style, make our Calgary, Alberta wine tasting courses both highly enjoyable and informative.
Fine Vintage Ltd is owned and operated by James Cluer, Master of Wine. Fine Vintage operates 15 WSET wine schools providing Sommelier courses and wine tasting courses in Canada, the United States and Italy. Fine Vintage wine schools are available in Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna, Penticton, Montreal, the Napa Valley, San Francisco, San Diego, Las Vegas, Chicago, Miami and Tuscany, Italy.
As a passionate and enthusiastic wine educator, James Cluer draws on his 18 years of international experience to make the WSET wine courses fascinating, fun and always delivered in a relaxed style. He has worked with high profile winemakers in France, Australia and California, and visited the majority of the world's top wine regions. He has taught over 3,500 students the WSET wine courses and has one of the highest pass rates in the industry.
If you want to learn more about our Chicago Wine School, please contact us today.
About the instructor
Fernando Beteta, one of 230 Master Sommeliers in the world, is currently the Education and Social Technology Director for Tenzing Wine & Spirits. A Guatemalan native, Beteta caught the wine bug in his parent's restaurants, which led to him attending the Hotel Management School in Lausanne Switzerland. He has overseen wine programs at various award winning restaurants including the Dining Room at The Ritz Carlton Chicago (A Four Seasons Hotel) and NoMI at the Park Hyatt Chicago, where he oversaw a wine cellar that contained over 10,000 bottles. He represented the United States in International Sommelier competitions and was First Runner Up for The Best Sommelier in America.
Named one of America's Best New Sommeliers by Wine & Spirits magazine and featured on both Crain's Chicago Business and Wine Enthusiast list of "40 under 40"; Beteta share his passion for wine and education on a weekly basis at Tenzing.