Want to take a wine course in Amsterdam? Read about my experience with WSET2 at the Amsterdam Wine Academy here.

Although I've been writing about food and drink for Your Little Black Book for almost 13 years, I set a goal for myself this year: to take more in-depth food courses and workshops. When you say food, you say drinks, so taking a "real" wine course was also high on my bucket list. A course that goes beyond just a tasting at a nice local wine merchant. It's substantive, but also practical, with plenty of practical lessons. That's how I came to... Amsterdam Wine Academy Rightly so. A relatively new company in Amsterdam, owned by the owners of the excellent Wijnbar Paskamer, which specializes entirely in official WSET wine courses.

If you, like me, love wine and are always curious about what you drink, then I can recommend you the WSET2 course I definitely recommend the Amsterdam Wine Academy. This wine course is perfect for wine lovers who already have some basic knowledge but are looking for more depth. In this article, I share my personal experience with the WSET2 course, which I've now completed with Merit.

© Amsterdam Wine Academy

 | WHAT IS WSET? The WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) wine courses are internationally recognized programs for anyone who wants to learn more about wine, from beginners to professionals (in the hospitality industry). These courses offer a structured approach to developing wine knowledge and tasting skills, with a focus on both theory and practice. There are various levels, ranging from basic knowledge (Level 1) to an in-depth study of wine styles, grape varieties, viticulture, and winemaking processes (such as Level 2 and above). It's important to note that at Level 2, you only take a theory exam, while at Level 3, you actually have to write tasting notes for the exam. What makes the WSET courses unique is that they are recognized worldwide as the standard for wine education.

Why I took the WSET2 course

I write a lot about restaurants, food, and drinks for Your Little Black Book. I also taste the finest wines from around the world during my travels. I realized I wanted to gain more in-depth knowledge about wine and what exactly is in my glass. That's why I decided to make time this year to... WSET2 course This course focuses on deepening your knowledge of wine tasting, wine styles, and wine regions, providing a solid foundation for better understanding what's in your glass. It extends to wine knowledge beyond simply liking something. It also allows you to taste wines beyond your own favorite grapes and styles. With increasingly complex wine lists, I'm thrilled with the additional knowledge I've gained. It's not only great if you're looking for more depth and want to develop professionally in the world of food and drink, but I would also recommend it to amateur wine enthusiasts. It's worth noting that this course isn't specifically about wine and food pairings, and WSET doesn't specifically focus on natural wine.

© Your Little Black Book

The course: what can you expect?

The WSET2 course is held at one of the Amsterdam Wine Academy locations in the heart of De Pijp. It's one of my favorite neighborhoods in Amsterdam, and there are plenty of great places to put the knowledge I've acquired into practice. I especially appreciate the relaxed atmosphere, and despite the varying levels of experience among the participants, absolutely anyone can take this course and learn to taste wine professionally.

The eight-week course, with three hours of classes per week and about an hour of study per week, is quite intensive. However, it's definitely worth it, and I would recommend it to everyone. You'll learn about different grape varieties, viticulture, and winemaking processes, among other things. What I personally find particularly valuable is that you taste different wines during each lesson. And even though you don't have to take a tasting exam with WSET2, this actually provides additional knowledge. It's incredibly helpful in recognizing flavor profiles and learning to evaluate the wines you've read about theoretically that week.

What I also really appreciate is that you can put your WSET2 knowledge into practice every week. For example, I order wines by the glass much more often to taste the differences. It's also great to have a little more insight into local grapes and wine regions when traveling. Like recently in New York, where, thanks to the knowledge I've gained, we've ordered American wines more often because we now know exactly what to choose.

© Your Little Black Book – wine tasting together during dinners

What do the WSET2 course lessons look like?

What makes the WSET2 course truly educational for me is the combination of theory and practice, as I briefly mentioned above. It's not just dry learning; you actively engage in tasting and analyzing wine and learn to take tasting notes. You'll also be guided by true, certified experts who enthusiastically share their passion for wine. Whether you're a beginner or more experienced, you'll leave with new knowledge every week.

The weekly content aligns with the workbook and theory booklet that come with the course. This theory can be a bit dry at times, which is why the combination with the practical lessons is so valuable! I have to say, we also had a really great teacher (Wouter Aalst) who really brought the material to life. The WSET2 course covers the following lessons:

• Lesson 1: Introduction, tasting technique, wine & food pairing
• Lesson 2: Viticulture, vinification, pinot noir, zinfandel
• Lesson 3: Riesling, chenin, semillon, furmint
• Lesson 4: Chardonnay, sauvignon blanc – other white
• Lesson 5: Merlot, cabernet sauvignon, syrah
• Lesson 6: Grenache, Malbec, Tempranillo – Other Reds
• Lesson 7: Italian White and Blue Grapes
• Lesson 8: Sparkling and Fortified Wines
• Examen

Read all about the WSET2 course here >>

© Amsterdam Wine Academy – Wouter van Aalst

Why the Amsterdam Wine Academy?

The Amsterdam Wine Academy is perfectly located. It's right in the heart of De Pijp, with plenty of great spots to chat after class while enjoying—you guessed it—a good glass of wine. The course is taught by experienced instructors who guide you step by step through the world of wine. The relaxed atmosphere allows you to learn at your own pace and ask questions. There are different group sizes, and courses start regularly. There's also a separate course for hospitality professionals (or aspiring hospitality professionals). In my opinion, every hospitality owner should send the team they're considering investing in there.

My conclusion: a valuable investment in yourself as a food and wine lover

If you're looking for a course that will truly help you advance your wine knowledge, the Amsterdam Wine Academy's WSET2 course is highly recommended. If you're an entrepreneur like me, you can even claim this as training costs. Just saying ;-). It's an investment in yourself and your love of wine. I'd love for a follow-up course to delve even deeper into wine-food pairings. With the WSET2 as a foundation, that's the next step for me!

Want to know more? Then visit the website of Amsterdam Wine Academy, There you will find more information and you can immediately see when the next course starts.

© Amsterdam Wine Academy