The world’s greatest winemakers relish the opportunity to blend wines from different grape varieties, vineyard parcels and barrels each year. Masterful blending is an art form, comparable to a Michelin star chef creating the perfect dish or an elite conductor crafting an exquisite symphony. It lies at the heart of the world’s greatest wines, from Bordeaux and Champagne to Rioja and Super Tuscans. Why exactly do winemakers engage in the art of blending? In short, it allows them to create the best possible wine with the ingredients at their disposal. However, there are also legal and commercial ..read more

  Natsuki Kikuya has spent the past decade working tirelessly to educate the world about the diverse and elegant flavours of Japan’s national drink. In 2014, she welcomed the very first cohort of sake students to the WSET’s flagship school in London. It was a proud moment for Natsuki, who had teamed up with Antony Moss MW to develop and launch the WSET Level 3 Award in Sake. Since then, more than 17,000 people across the globe have taken a WSET sake qualification, with most coming from Japan, the UK, the USA and Hong Kong. She has helped to train 160 WSET educators around the world, and t ..read more

On Easter weekend, many of us are well versed in what food to serve and when. From fish on Good Friday to roast lamb on Easter Sunday with an abundance of chocolate in between, simple traditions are followed every year. When it comes to pairing these foods with wine, however, not everyone knows where to start. Don't worry too much about pairing specific dishes to specific wines - our taste buds differ too widely from person to person to make the perfect match every time. Just keep it simple. No matter what your personal preferences are, it comes down to how the predominant tastes in ..read more

Vermouth is the world’s most famous style of aromatised wine. Its use in cocktails has turned many brands into drinks cabinet staples, and it also makes a fantastic sipping drink. But how much do you know about this diverse beverage? There is a lot to enjoy about this poorly understood drink. Flavour hunters will love the huge variety of recipes to explore, often developed using local and historically important ingredients. Cocktail lovers will enjoy the versatility of this bitter-sweet beverage, and how it can be used to supply balance and flavour alongside gin, vodka, whisky and more. Want t ..read more

Not a wine, a beer or a spirit, sake is a beverage category unto itself. A cherished pour in Japan for over 2500 years, sake is increasingly making its mark across the world, appearing on wine lists, bottle shelves, and in the cocktails of drinks professionals in-the-know. And the figures back it up; according to a 2021 survey conducted in Japan, the majority of respondents drank sake on several days per week. If you're a sake starter, here are 5 key sake facts you need to know now: 1. How sake is made Sake is made from four key ingredients, rice, water, koji (rice mould) and yeast. Like wine ..read more

Feel like you’re ready to take the next step in your wine education journey? Read on as Adriana Schmidt, our Digital Marketing Executive and a recent level 3 graduate, explains the ins and outs of this advanced course.  Where the Level 3 Award in Wines fits in  So, you’ve successfully passed the Level 2 Award in Wines, and now you’re wondering what to do next.   Yes, during the course you get to taste amazing wines from all over the world – Burgundy, Champagne. Margaret River, Mendoza – and you meet some great people along the way. But taking on level 3 is a big commitment ..read more

Since we launched our beer courses, we have introduced our readers to the beer category, and the plethora of beer styles. Next up in our beer series, our resident expert Natalya Watson is answering some frequently asked questions about beer - from why exactly beer is bitter to what makes some beer dark. What is beer? Beer is a diverse category. There are many different styles of beer, from clear, gold pilsners to opaque, black stouts. But all beers share the following common features: they are fermented alcoholic beverages typically made using malt (malted grains), water and yeast, and flavour ..read more

Mastering the art of food and beer pairing allows you to transform any meal into a gastronomic occasion. You can significantly enhance the flavours and textures of each dish by matching it with the perfect beer, which will enrich the overall enjoyment of the meal. This guide highlights the key principles that underpin successful beer and food pairings. You will discover the best beers to serve with delicate starters, bold main courses and rich desserts. We have also provided some classic food and beer combinations, along with some innovative pairing ideas to help you impress your guests. Top t ..read more

Are you struggling with ideas about what to have for dinner? Or have you been invited by friends for a meal but you’re not sure what drinks to bring? Fear not, we have you covered in our guide to food and drinks pairing. Over the years, we’ve published lots of great content around pairing drinks with different dishes and cuisines from around the world, read on to look back over some of the highlights. Ultimately, don’t forget the best way to discover what works best for you is to keep tasting! Seasonal Easter A guide to Easter food & wine pairings Most of us are well versed on what food to ..read more

We have put together a handy calendar with the key international wine and grape days for 2024. If you are looking for new wines or tasting inspiration, our ever-growing wine and grapes days calendar should guide you through the dates throughout the four seasons.   Whether you are mad for Malbec or star-struck for Syrah, we have you covered. In addition, we have also included some of the most used hashtags.   Show us what you’re drinking on Instagram: either tag us at @WSETglobal or use the hashtag #WSET   Happy tasting for 2024!  1 February - Internation ..read more