BAY FORTUNE, P.E.I. – A part-time Bay Fortune resident is one of 29 graduates from Canada to make a splash after achieving the coveted Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) diploma, as well as an award for outstanding results.
Erin Turcke, a sommelier and beverage manager at the Inn at Bay of Fortune, lives in Newfoundland where she is the St. John’s WSET instructor under WSET provider: Autour du Vin. She is a seasonal resident of the Bay Fortune area when the Inn is operational.
Recently Turcke was awarded the Napa Valley Vintners Prize at the historic Guildhall in London during the annual WSET Awards and Graduation ceremony.
“After receiving my sommelier certification through Court of Master Sommeliers, I felt that my foundation of knowledge was insufficient to warrant using the title 'sommelier,' so I started to supplement it with WSET courses.
“Extolling the virtues of the broad approach that is the WSET syllabus – my enthusiasm for the program at all levels – encouraged many other industry workers and wine enthusiasts to get on board. It's gratifying to have influenced people in my community in a good way,” she said.
Turcke also has the opportunity to attend one of Napa Valley Vintners three-day professional trade education programs.
More than 500 wine and spirits influencers and professionals from across the world flocked to the event, which was hosted for the first time by the new WSET honorary president, Steven Spurrier.
The WSET Level 4 diploma is the program’s highest qualification and recognized globally as one of the most distinguished achievements in the sector.
The course develops an in-depth knowledge of wines and spirits, from production, regions and styles, and the global trade in wines and spirits.
The diploma is also universally viewed as the stepping stone to the Master of Wine qualification.
Upon successful completion, graduates receive a WSET certificate and lapel pin, and are able to use the post-nominal DipWSET and associated WSET certified logo.
