Tuesday, 25 November, 2014
Laurie Smorthwaite
The newly established KZN School of Wine will be the first
of its kind in the province offering certification under the UK based Wine
& Spirit Education Trust (WSET). These wine qualifications are recognised
as the international standard for wine courses, with approved programme
providers in over 62 countries around the globe, making them
the largest and most internationally recognised in the world.
With one to three day courses to suit everyone from the
eager novice to top industry professionals, classes will cover topics including
wine tasting techniques, food and wine pairing, wine service, international
grape varietals, sparkling wines and winemaking. The school will be based at KZN’s own Abingdon
Wine Estate giving students the extra advantage of hands on experience and
practical knowledge in a working vineyard and cellar. The school will be
opening its doors in January 2015 focussing on initially offering level one and
level two courses, with plans to introduce level three later in the year. Class
numbers will be limited and taught by WSET accredited educator and assistant
winemaker at Abingdon, Laurie Smorthwaite.
“The KZN school of Wine will be one of two approved WSET providers in
South Africa. Those of us in the northern and eastern sides of the country will
no longer have to travel to the Cape to expand our knowledge of wine. KZN has
not only gained respect and accreditation as a wine growing and producing
region, but we can now take pride in the quality of education and
qualifications that this province can offer. There is also a massive advantage
of being able to study a course like this in a working vineyard and cellar.
The WSET offers students the chance to explore both local and international
wines from all over the world and to recognise and appreciate what makes them so
different.” (Laurie Smorthwaite)
For more information contact: laurie@abingdonestate.co.za
+27
33 2344 335
+27
60 349 7732
Or visit us at www.kznschoolofwine.co.za