This past weekend, I had the chance to dive deeper into the world of wine by completing the Fine Vintage WSET Level 1 Award in Wines — and I can confidently say it was one of the most enjoyable, educational, and well-structured learning experiences I’ve taken part in.
If you’re new to wine, curious about building foundational knowledge, or already a passionate enthusiast looking to refine your palate, Fine Vintage’s WSET programs offer an incredible entry point. And if you take the course with instructor Dan Roy, you’re in for a real treat.
Let me walk you through the highlights of the program, why the Fine Vintage team stands out, and how you can join me in future levels of training as I continue this wine education journey.
What Makes Fine Vintage’s WSET Level 1 Course So Exceptional?
Fine Vintage is one of North America’s most respected wine education providers, and their WSET Level 1 Award in Wines is designed specifically for beginners or enthusiasts who want a structured, globally recognized introduction to the world of wine.
Their Level 1 course covers:
- The main wine styles
- Key grape varieties and their characteristics
- Basic tasting techniques following the WSET Systematic Approach
- Food and wine pairing fundamentals
- Proper wine service and storage
The structure is clear, hands-on, and practical — exactly what you want when learning something as sensory and layered as wine.
And the best part?
The course features premium wine selections, thoughtfully curated to help students understand classic styles, regions, and flavour profiles. It’s not just theory — you taste your way through learning.
A Shoutout to Our Instructor: Dan Roy
Every good course needs a great instructor, and Dan Roy delivered that and more.
Whether you’re brand new to wine or already comfortable with tasting terminology, Dan’s teaching style makes the content approachable, engaging, and — most importantly — fun.
What stood out most:
- He makes complex concepts easy to understand.
- His passion for wine is contagious.
- He encourages questions and discussion.
- He has a talent for explaining why wines taste the way they do.
- He brings real-world knowledge from wine regions, producers, and industry experience.
Dan created an environment where everyone felt comfortable exploring wine — without ego, intimidation, or pretense. That’s exactly what good wine education should feel like.
About Fine Vintage — A Leader in Wine Education
Fine Vintage was founded by James Cluer, Master of Wine, one of only a few hundred people in the world to hold the MW title (which is basically the PhD of the wine world). His experience includes decades of global tasting, judging, consulting, and teaching — and he’s poured all that expertise into building one of the world’s most respected WSET training companies.
Fine Vintage offers:
- WSET Levels 1, 2, and 3
- Wine and food pairing courses
- Specialty certifications (like French Wine or Italian Wine)
- Online wine courses
- Professional certifications for those in hospitality or retail
And of course, one of their biggest draws…
Wine Tours: Travel, Taste, and Learn From the Source
Fine Vintage also hosts premium wine tours around the world — legendary trips for anyone who dreams of experiencing top wine regions firsthand.
Their tours include destinations like:
- Bordeaux
- Tuscany
- Napa Valley
- Burgundy
- Champagne
- Spain & Portugal
These aren’t touristy bus tours — they’re curated, insider-level experiences that include:
- Visits to iconic wineries
- Private tastings
- Vineyard walks
- Meet-the-winemaker sessions
- Pairing dinners
- Luxury accommodations
For anyone who sees wine as both culture and adventure, these tours are bucket-list material.
What’s Next? Continuing My Wine Education
After an amazing experience with WSET Level 1, I’m officially hooked.
I’ll be continuing with:
WSET Level 2 Award in Wines
and eventually
WSET Level 3 Award in Wines
all through Fine Vintage.
As I progress through each level, I’ll be sharing my experience, tasting notes, and insights here on YEG Thrive and on our Instagram page — so if you’re curious about wine or thinking of starting your own certification journey, be sure to follow along.
I truly believe wine education is for everyone:
- casual wine lovers
- foodies
- hospitality professionals
- travelers
- collectors
- people simply wanting to understand what they enjoy
And Fine Vintage makes the process enjoyable and accessible at every step.
Want to Join Me? Registration Is Open for Upcoming Courses
If you’re interested in experiencing this transformative course for yourself, Fine Vintage offers WSET programs year-round in cities across Canada and the U.S.
Registration is easy:
Go to: https://www.finevintageltd.com
Choose your city, your date, and sign up — classes fill quickly, so early registration is recommended.
Whether you’re:
- brand new to wine
- looking to gain confidence in choosing bottles
- working in hospitality
- wanting to develop your palate
- or just seeking a deeply enjoyable hobby
…this course is the perfect place to begin.
And if you decide to join the next level with me — even better! We’ll taste, learn, and explore the world of wine together.
Final Thoughts
Wine is so much more than a beverage — it’s culture, geography, craftsmanship, history, and connection.
Taking the Fine Vintage WSET Level 1 course reminded me how exciting it is to be a student again, to explore something new, and to appreciate the stories behind every glass.
Huge thank you to Dan for making the weekend informative and memorable, and to James Cluer and the Fine Vintage team for providing such a high-quality learning experience.
If you’ve been thinking about taking the leap — this is your sign.
Join me in the next class. Learn something new. Explore your palate. And discover the world of wine in a whole new way.
Cheers to learning — one sip at a time.
