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WSET introduces global education week as part of 50th anniversary activity

Published:  02 January, 2019

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) has announced the launch of its first global ‘Wine Education Week’ as part of a programme of activity planned to mark its 50th birthday.

Supported by notable names including Olly Smith (UK), Terry Xu (China), Alyssa Vitrano aka GrapeFriend and Kelly Mitchell aka The Wine Siren (USA), the “Wine Education Week’ will take place from 9th to 15th September, with WSET Approved Programme Providers in more than 30 countries hosting more than 100 educational events throughout the week.

Ranging from introductory ‘vine to wine’ classes to food and wine pairing sessions, the events had been designed to help consumers make “wiser choices” when choosing a bottle and to enable the trade to benefit from the “increased likelihood of upselling”, said the WSET.

In addition, a commemorative book edited by David Wrigley MW and featuring contributions from “some of the industry’s most famous names”, is set to be published later this year.

Looking ahead to the next 50 years, the WSET said it had joined forces with the IWSC to launch a ‘The Future 50’ initiative designed to identify the next generation of leading wine and spirits professionals and emphasise the importance of developing new talent through education and awards.

Chosen by an illustrious panel of judges, ‘The Future 50’ will recognise 50 of the global industry’s up-and-coming talent at a range of levels from all reaches of the trade.

“This year marks a momentous year for WSET and we are pulling out all the stops to celebrate the occasion. We will be bringing together our network of qualification holders and educators worldwide to look back on all that we have achieved, and more importantly, inspire a future generation of better educated wine and spirits professionals and enthusiasts who will make this industry thrive for another 50 years and beyond,” said chief executive Ian Harris.

The WSET will be announcing further details on each of these activities on its website throughout the year.

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