Queenstown Resort College is taking wine and spirit tasting to a new level, offering Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) intermediate courses, in a programme beginning next week.
The courses are the first of their kind to be offered in Otago and Southland.
The college describes the trust as the foremost international body in the field of wine and spirits education.
Its qualifications are recognised across the world.
The QRC courses will be led by Paul Tudgay, sommelier and tutor at QRC, the first from April 6-8.
Mr Tudgay said he was confident the courses would appeal to a wide range of wine enthusiasts.
"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 would visit the college next month to host an open forum for those interested in enrolling.
Ms Skilton's knowledge of wine began with WSET and has taken her to being a Master of Wine.
She writes for several national food and wine publications and is a respected judge at many national and international wine shows.
QRC will celebrate the unveiling of WSET with a six-week series of winemakers' tastings and presentations beginning on February 23, when Mr Tudgay will introduce a "crash course" of wine tasting.
WSET was founded in 1969 to provide high-quality wine education to the United Kingdom trade.
The intermediate course costs $795, including textbooks, and will be held over two days, as well as a morning for a written examination.
The tastings would 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 Mr Tudgay - paul.tudgay@qrc.ac.nz, or by calling (03) 409-0500.
