WSET 2 at La Torre all Tolfe, Siena Course Description

To take the WSET Level 2 course a willingness to learn about wine and taste a LOT of it is all that is required. Level 1 is incorporated into the body of the Level 2 course so it is not obligatory to have sat Level 1. At Level 2 'Place' takes precedence: the student will look at where the “Noble Grapes” grow best - we will talk about this term in class - and we will taste the wines those grapes make, from the famous regions that produce them - such as Champagne, Chablis, Barolo, Rioja and many more. We will look at what factors contribute to making these grapes grow so beautifully... and why the wines those grapes make might have a higher price tag. We will be tasting some truly excellent and exciting wines from the best producers.

The beauty of studying the WSET 2 in Tuscany at Le Tolfe is the opportunity to get into the winery and into the vineyards. The chapters on vine growing and winemaking are so straightforward after a walk amongst the vats and the vines. The course is deliberately spread across 5 days to allow time for these visits, and to give students the afternoon to study further in the wine bars nearby in Siena.

The course includes a minimum of 18 hours course time, with a suggested minimum 11 hours personal study time in advance of the intensive course, and a one-hour multiple choice exam.

The course will be held from Thursday 24 October to Monday 28 October, Timings as follows: Thursday - Monday: 09:30 - 13:30.

What you will learn:

• How wine is made: How the vine grows and what happens in the winery - we will head in to the vineyards and cantina of La Torre alle Tolfe

• What factors influence wine style

• The key white and black grape varieties and their characteristics

• The important wine-producing regions of the world in which these grapes are grown

• The production of sparkling, sweet, and fortified wines

• Label terminology

• Food and wine pairing principles

• The principal categories of spirits and liqueurs, and how they are made

• How to describe wine using the WSET Level 2 Systematic Approach to Tasting Wine® (SAT)

This course is for anyone committed to learning more about wines around the world, for any reason. The resulting certificate is recognized worldwide, making it more and more the choice for those looking to begin or move further forward in the wine industry, it is a must also for professionals working in wine marketing, wine sales and wine service.

THE WINES YOU WILL TASTE

The WSET level 2 requires you to taste over 45 wines during the course. It is so important to taste the best - the most expressive, most beautiful wines for each zone. Emily has sourced fabulous wines it is one of her favourite parts of the process, that and meeting really super people - wine interest brings great types together!

Examples of some the wine tasted during Emily’s WSET 2:

• Domaine Rene Rostaing, Cote Rotie

• Clos des Papes, Chateauneuf du Pape

• Chateau Pibran, Pauillac

• Grosset Polish Hill, Clare Valley Riesling

• Domaine de Montille ‘Les Sizies’, Beaune

• Susana Balbo, Malbec, ‘El Peral’, Mendoza

• Prophet’s Rock, Central Otago Pinot Noir

• Domaine Schlumberger, Gewurztraminer

• Chateau Rayne Vigneau, Sauternes

• Trimbach Pinot Gris, Alsace

• Le Torre alle Tolfe, Chianti Colli Senesi, Italy

Siena, Italy course location: La Torre alle Tolfe

This WSET course is taught at the villa, La Torre alle Tolfe, Siena. La Torre alle Tolfe is an agricultural estate centred on an eighth century watch-tower and 17-bedroom villa, built on the hilltop of Le Tolfe, a hamlet just 3km from the remarkable medieval city of Siena.

The Villa was furnished by the Castelli family over several decades, and their love for the Tuscan history and art is reflected in the furniture, art and artefacts throughout the Villa. Spacious rooms on the ground floor include an elegant dining hall and two comfortable sitting rooms. Upstairs, guests can enjoy a large billiards room with views over the garden. Each of the 17 spacious bedrooms has been named after one of the 17 contrade (districts) of Siena. The rooms are spread over three floors, with lift access. The traditional, thick, stone walls help to keep the house cool through the summer months. By contrast, in the winter the central heating and a large open fire create a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

The estate covers 100 hectares, including vineyards, olive groves, arable fields and forests, extending over rolling hills towards Siena and out towards the heart of the Chianti region. There are spectacular views in every direction. The entire property is run as a certified organic farm, producing a variety of wines, and premium olive oil, with the arable land producing a variety of organic grains and pulses. The lack of pesticides and other intensive agrichemicals means that the fields and forests are also home to a rich fauna and a remarkable variety of wildflowers.

About your instructor, Emily O’Hare

Emily feels very strongly that wine study should be pleasurable, and that learning about wine - even in the context of a “serious” exam like the WSET - should spark pleasure and creativity. Wine knowledge is wonderful, and the wine world a magical, mystical place to enter in to, courtesy of an intelligent glass of wine. And in just a few days, thanks to the excellent WSET programme it is possible to feel really empowered regarding the wines of the world. The WSET Systematic approach - applying attention to the look, smell, taste and aftertaste of a wine helps the student to really lock information in about a wine - and get over that problem of always forgetting the wine one likes - or how to describe the kind of wine most enjoyed. Emily has extensive experience in the wine world and teaching the WSET - learn more about her here.

Course cost and How to sign up for our WSET 2 course in Siena, Italy

The cost of the course is €750 per person and includes all wines, exam and e-study pack.

If you would like to combine the course with a 5 night stay including breakfast at La Torre alle Tolfe, please do get in touch and book directly with the hospitality team at Le Tolfe and mention you are a student on the course. Email hospitality@latorrealletolfe.com

N.B Emily will be teaching the WSET Level 2 course at La Torre alle Tolfe and will take payment only for the Level 2 course of €750. To pay for your accommodation please email the hospitality team at Le Tolfe to organise at hospitality@latorrealletolfe.com

If you would like to sign up please fill out the form below - or if you would like to email with any questions you might have: emily@emilyoh.wine

Once payment is made Emily will send out to you your WSET Level 2 e-book and e-study pack - If you can read the pack prior to your arrival here and our beginning the course you can then focus wholeheartedly on the many wines we will taste over the five days, and usually what the wines have to tell you via your sight, smell and taste is much easier to understand and more beautifully expressed than anything in the book!

PLEASE NOTE Refunds cannot be offered once payment has been made, however should you need to cancel six weeks/42 days before the course starts, course costs can be transferred to another Level 2 Course with Emily at a later date. Any cancellations made within 42 days of the course starting cannot be refunded or transferred as late applications to sit the exam are now not accepted by WSET and your space cannot be taken by another guest.