Iberian Wine Academy, the only school in Andalucía that offers the WSET international certification

This specialised wine accreditation is the most important in the world and a recognised standard for those who hold it

«We want students to learn to describe a wine accurately, communicating its characteristics in a meaningful and critical way»

Jonas Tofterup

Luis Fernando Olaverri, founder of the Vinoteca de Pamplona, used to say that wine is the only work of art you can drink. Every bottle tells a story in which history, geography, gastronomy and life converge. A complexity that professionals in this field, as well as amateurs who want to enjoy their passion, must be able to decipher.

Iberian Wine Academy (IWA) is the only school in Andalucía that offers the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) certification, the most important international accreditation specialising in wine in the world.

With headquarters in London, recognised by leading drinks companies and organisations and with more than 100,000 students worldwide, the WSET is the industry’s foremost standard, a leader in the development and delivery of wine and spirits courses for more than five decades. As with Cambridge English Qualifications in English language, for example, WSET courses are organised into levels. Four progressive courses are offered at selected training centres in more than 70 countries, providing professionals and enthusiasts with a high level of knowledge of these beverages.

Luis Fernando Olaverri, founder of the Vinoteca de Pamplona, used to say that wine is the only work of art you can drink. Every bottle tells a story in which history, geography, gastronomy and life converge. A complexity that professionals in this field, as well as amateurs who want to enjoy their passion, must be able to decipher.

Iberian Wine Academy (IWA) is the only school in Andalucía that offers the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) certification, the most important international accreditation specialising in wine in the world.

With headquarters in London, recognised by leading drinks companies and organisations and with more than 100,000 students worldwide, the WSET is the industry’s foremost standard, a leader in the development and delivery of wine and spirits courses for more than five decades. As with Cambridge English Qualifications in English language, for example, WSET courses are organised into levels. Four progressive courses are offered at selected training centres in more than 70 countries, providing professionals and enthusiasts with a high level of knowledge of these beverages.

Specialised, standardised training

Located at number 13, Calle Eslava, opposite the Mercado del Carmen, IWA welcomes students from all over Spain who come to train at its facilities, one of only two WSET schools in Spain with its own permanent physical space.

The centre’s origin stems from the identification of a market niche by Tofterup, who was already collaborating with the certifier as a teacher and publisher. «It is true that there are many courses and qualifications on wine, but WSET is practically the only one that offers this training and professional standard that qualifies and is recognised in all the countries where it is present, which is something that professionals were demanding,» says the Master of Wine. That is why in 2018 he decided to offer WSET courses and in 2022 he opened the IWA centre in Calle Eslava, a way of keeping his knowledge up to date and being linked to the world of wine in a close and rewarding way. The year it opened, IWA was recognised as the Best Educational Centre by the International Wine Challenge Merchant Awards Spain, a national award that was presented at the Palacio de Neptuno in Madrid.

In terms of the courses they teach, Level 2 is aimed at those seeking a systematic study of world wines for the first time. This involves professionals interested in studying world wines from a commercial perspective, seeking an internationally recognised qualification or wine enthusiasts who wish to learn in an orderly fashion and enjoy tasting characteristic examples of international wines.

Level 3, a prerequisite for WSET Level 4, offers a more comprehensive knowledge of wines from all over the world. This course provides a global knowledge of viticulture, production, regions, wine styles, world-renowned systematic tasting and market knowledge. It is also aimed at professionals and amateurs interested in studying wines from around the world in more depth and who wish to gain an internationally recognised qualification.

The training is organised into a theoretical part and a practical part. In the first, the student receives information sheets and a book to study individually. Subsequently, over one or two weekends, depending on the level, a full review of all the theory, resolution of any doubts and the tasting of 50 wines in level 2 and 90 in level 3. In level 3, the exam includes a theoretical part and a blind tasting of two wines which, as in the previous level, is corrected by a WSET panel directly in England.

«We want students to learn to describe a wine accurately, communicating its characteristics in a meaningful and critical way,» says Tofterup.

WSET courses are also offered to companies all over Spain, in their own facilities and in both Spanish and English.

The feedback from students who have passed through IWA highlights the great knowledge and communication skills of Tofterup, the technical quality of the studies and the network of professionals that it fosters. It is therefore not surprising that the majority of students take two levels.

Iberian Wine Academy

C. Eslava, 13, 29002 Málaga Telephone: 697 34 52 14

iberianwineacademy.com