Internationally recognised wine and spirit course welcomed at Queenstown Resort College

Leading education institution Queenstown Resort College is broadening its range of courses to offer Wine and Spirit Education Trust Intermediate courses -- the first courses of their kind to be taught in the Otago and Southland regions.

The Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) is the foremost international body in the field of wine and spirits education, and completion of the courses results in formal qualifications recognised throughout the world.

The QRC WSET courses will be led by Paul Tudgay, sommelier and tutor at the award-winning college, with the first to be held from April 6 - 8.

Mr Tudgay is confident they will appeal to a wide range of wine enthusiasts from around the region and expects they will become a popular fixture in hospitality education.

“The courses cater for everyone; from those working in hotels and restaurants to cellar door and winery workers, viticulturists and wine aficionados who simply want to broaden their horizons,” he said.

Master of Wine Jane Skilton will visit the college in March and will host an open forum for those interested in enrolling.

“Jane’s knowledge of wine began with WSET and has taken her all the way to being a Master of Wine. She now writes for several national food and wine publications in addition to being a respected judge at many national and international wine shows,” said Mr Tudgay.

“We’re thrilled to have her supporting our newest venture.”

QRC is celebrating the unveiling of WSET with a six-week series of winemakers’ tastings and presentations from late February and throughout March.

“It’s the perfect way to grow your wine knowledge, taste some iconic New Zealand wines and meet the winemakers behind them,” said Mr Tudgay.

The first workshop of the series begins on Tuesday 23rd February with Mr Tudgay introducing a ‘crash course’ of wine tasting designed to leave attendees swirling, spitting and pondering like a pro.

Throughout the series there will be presentations from some of the country’s top winemakers including Brent Marris of Marisco, Ben Glover of Wither Hills and Grant Taylor from Valli Wines.

Now taught in 39 countries worldwide to both the trade and interested consumers, the WSET was originally founded in 1969 to provide high quality wine education to the UK trade.

The intermediate WSET course will cost $795 including text books. The course will be held over two days plus a morning for a written examination.

The tastings will be $10 per head or $50 for the series of six.

For more information on WSET, Vine Share or the Winemakers Series, or to make a booking, contact Paul Tudgay paul.tudgay@qrc.ac.nz or 03 409 0500.