WSET in Sake

From the delicate elegance of ginjō to the richness of junmai, sake is one of the most nuanced and food-friendly drinks in the world, yet still largely unexplored by wine and hospitality professionals. Our WSET Sake courses take you into its brewing process, styles and tasting technique, guided by an experienced sake educator.

About sake

Sake is a fermented rice beverage from Japan, brewed using a unique process involving rice, water, koji (steamed rice grown with koji mould, which turns the rice starch into sugar) and yeast.

Sake comes in a wide range of styles, from light and delicate to rich and full-bodied, and pairs beautifully with many different cuisines.

At Amsterdam Wine Academy, our WSET Sake courses are taught by Kazumi Uejo, an experienced and passionate sake educator who brings both deep product knowledge and a genuine enthusiasm for sharing the world of sake with her students.

Who is the WSET Sake course for?

You don’t need to be an expert to enjoy sake, but a little knowledge makes every sip more interesting. Discover that sake isn’t just a companion to sushi, it pairs just as well with cheese, grilled meat or other non-Japanese dishes. Do you work as a sommelier or hospitality professional? Then this course gives you the knowledge to recommend sake with confidence and expand your offering.

Why take a WSET Sake course?

Sake is one of the fastest-growing categories in the drinks world, and there is still so much to discover, while knowledge of it remains rare among wine and hospitality professionals.
A WSET qualification gives you an internationally recognized credential you can use anywhere in the industry.
You will learn to confidently select, describe, recommend and pair sake, whether for yourself, your guests or your customers.
Looking for a new taste experience beyond wine? Sake is a refreshing discovery, with a completely different way of tasting and appreciating a drink.
Sake pairs surprisingly well with all kinds of dishes, from your own kitchen at home to a professional food and beverage menu.
Learn from Kazumi Uejo, who brings her Japanese background and genuine passion for sake into the classroom.

WSET Sake Courses in Amsterdam

WSET Level 1 Award in Sake

295,- Including: study material, sake to taste, exam and lunch
1 day (class + exam)
Courses in English only
WSET trained educators: Kazumi Uejo
Beginner level, no previous education needed

This one-day course offers a hands-on introduction to the world of sake. Using the WSET Systematic Approach to Tasting Sake®, you will learn to look, smell and taste your way through the most important styles and types of sake, including futsū-shu, honjōzō, ginjō, daiginjō and junmai styles, as well as speciality styles such as nama, nigori, sparkling sake and koshu. You will also learn the basics of sake storage, service and food pairing.

The exam consists of 30 multiple-choice questions. A minimum of 21 correct answers is required to pass.

For more information: Download the specification from WSET (PDF).

WSET Level 2 Award in Sake

625,- Including: study material, sake to taste and exam
6 Lessons of 3 hours + exam
2 hours per week home study is recommended
Courses in English only
WSET trained educators: Kazumi Uejo
Intermediate level, no previous education necessary.

This course takes you deeper into the world of sake. Using the WSET Level 2 Systematic Approach to Tasting Sake®, you will learn to describe, compare and assess the quality of sake with more precision and confidence. You will explore the key production processes behind different sake styles, study the categories, grades and speciality styles of sake in greater depth, and learn to interpret common Japanese labelling terms. You will also cover the key principles of storing and serving sake, and the considerations for pairing sake with food.

The exam consists of 50 multiple-choice questions. A minimum of 28 correct answers is required to pass.

For more information: Download the specification from WSET (PDF).

WSET Level 1 or WSET Level 2?

It is not necessary to take WSET Level 1 before enrolling in WSET Level 2. If you are completely new to sake, Level 1 offers a solid one-day introduction. If you already have some basic knowledge or want to dive deeper into production, styles and tasting, WSET Level 2 is a great place to start. In doubt? Call us or send an email!