How Wine-Educated is the U.S. Market?

Wine & Spirit Education Trust Reports 26% Annual Growth in U.S.

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Wine & Spirit Education Trust

Sep 09, 2015, 10:30 ET

NEW YORK, Sept. 9, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. is the largest wine market in the world, and according to the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), professional-level knowledge of wine has also reached an all-time high. Data released this month by global wine and spirit education leader WSET found that the U.S. recorded a 26% increase in the number of candidates who sat an exam for WSET qualifications in the past year. The U.S. has surpassed China in total enrollment in WSET programs, and is second only to the United Kingdom in global importance.

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Chief Executive of Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Ian Harris accepts Queen's Award for Enterprise in International Trade at reception hosted by Her Majesty the Queen at Buckingham Palace
Chief Executive of Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Ian Harris accepts Queen's Award for Enterprise in International Trade at reception hosted by Her Majesty the Queen at Buckingham Palace

WSET is more active than ever in the U.S. market – revealing a tremendous optimism in the rising professional wine class. "The level of wine education in the U.S. just keeps growing, reflecting a thirst for more knowledge. We have more program providers than ever before, and still see amazing untapped potential to reach aspiring wine candidates on a national basis," states Ian Harris, Chief Executive of Wine & Spirit Education Trust.

Global candidates sitting WSET exams increased 9% to 61,452 for the academic year 2014/15, representing the 13th consecutive year of growth for WSET. Another notable achievement was recent recognition by Her Majesty the Queen with a Queen's Award for Enterprise in International Trade.

Additional growth indicators include:

  • U.S. overtakes mainland China as second largest WSET market, up 26% to 6,779 candidates
  • Primary UK market candidate numbers are up 11% to 15,135
  • Despite market challenges, mainland China sees growth up 13% to 6,598 candidates
  • France's appetite for WSET courses continues with candidate numbers up 23% to 2,095
  • Canada candidate numbers up 16% to 4,423

In addition, WSET has expanded its international network with the addition of course providers in Lebanon, Belarus, Paraguay, Ukraine and Ecuador, bringing the number of countries where WSET qualifications are available to 66.

WSET's TOP TEN MARKETS 2014/15 (previous position)

1.

UK (1)

6.

Taiwan (6)

2.

USA (3)

7.

Australia (7)

3.

Mainland China (2)

8.

France (9)

4.

Canada (5)

9.

South Korea (8)

5.

Hong Kong (4)

10.

Switzerland (11)

Basis: total candidate numbers, unweighted. Source: WSET

About Wine & Spirit Education Trust
Wine & Spirit Education Trust is the largest global provider of qualifications in the field of wines and spirits. WSET qualifications are formally recognised by the UK Government and have a strong reputation worldwide. In the last academic year (2014/15) 61,452 people sat for a WSET qualification. Qualifications are available in 19 languages and 66 countries, and are open both to industry professionals and interested enthusiasts. Since 1969 more than half a million individuals have completed a WSET qualification.

For more information about WSET, please visit: www.WSETglobal.com

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SOURCE Wine & Spirit Education Trust