Previously, I took the WSET Wine Level 1 Course and this cert is recognised internationally, which qualifies me to be a sommelier. This time, I took the WSET Sake Level 1 course. This cert is probably recognised internationally too but I don’t think Japanese restaurants care about certs. There are several providers for the course: just go to SkillsFuture website and search for “WSET Sake” and decide on the provider you trust.
I attended and audited courses when teachers were just bull shitting or talking about themselves but this was not the case. Both the Wine teacher and the Sake teacher are super knowledgeable and experienced and passionate, making it such a joy to attend their classes.
In both the wine and sake classes, there are wine/sake tastings; practical aspects of the classes. I just recovered from a flu at the Sake class so my tastebuds were a bit off, but it was still fun. I think we got to taste as many as 8 to 10 sakes in this class. Like the wine course, the practical aspects of the sake are not tasted.
The main difference is the contents. The Sake course is way easier, and therefore more fun. Easier because in the wine course, I had to memorise different types of wines, their flavour profiles, the type of savoury food or dessert they go with. But Sake course has less memory rote work, and more organic learning experiences.
At the end of the Sake course, as well as the wine course, there is a theoretical MCQ test. You won’t be given time to study in both courses, so you have to pay close attention in class. These tests are sent to UK to be graded, like your O and A levels. As the wine course was harder and there wasn’t time to study, I scored only 93%. If they had only given me 2 hours to study, I’d have gotten full marks. I scored 100% for the Sake test – I knew it the moment I submitted my test because I knew all the answers without hesitation. But 100% is a pass?! COME ON, it should be a DISTINCTION. What are you, WSET? A tiger mom?
One more difference between the wine and sake courses is breakfast and tea are provided for the wine course but not for the sake course. Feed us! Give us food!
One irritating thing is that they put me and other students on their mass SMS to promote their courses. I’m on the Do Not Call registry! Don’t make me report you.
But I really enjoyed the sake course more than the wine course probably because (1) the wine course took place in an ulu location, (2) I feel more akin to Asian culture, (3) I prefer sake to wine. I think I’ll take Sake Level 3 course (they don’t have Level 2), but I need about $120 more for my SkillsFuture. Are there any sponsors? LOL
You may be interested in…
– The Road to Becoming a Hawker: I Used My Skillsfuture to Take NEA’s Hawker Development Programme. It Was Good, Very Good, Then Bad, Very Bad.
Written by Dr. A. Nathanael Ho.
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