Wine & Spirits Education TrustWSET is the leading organization for wine and spirts education worldwide. With over 800 affiliate schools around the world, WSET seeks to empower professionals and enthusiasts through their comprehensive suite of qualifications and unique approach to tasting. In 2015, WSET added sake to their list of courses and has quickly become one of the leaders in comprehensive sake education. At Passport to Sake Academy we offer both the WSET Sake Level 1 and Sake Level 3 qualifications.

Sake Sommelier AssociationThe Sake Sommelier Association has, for over 20 years, been at the vanguard of international sake education. As the first organization to offer sake education outside of Japan, SSA continues to satisfy the needs of sake professionals around the world. Through their courses, SSA delivers on their promise to expand the understanding and love for this delicious beverage. We offer the Introductory Sake Professional course as well as the Certified Sake Sommelier course. Start your journey to become a sake sommelier today!USE OF PROFESSIONAL TITLE AND TERMINOLOGY —You may not, legally or ethically, use the title “Sake Sommelier” 酒ソムリエ unless you have passed the Certified Sake Sommelier® examination and have been duly awarded this professional certification by the Sake Sommelier Association (SSA), who solely confer this title.For the avoidance of doubt, and with reference to the Sake Service Institute (SSI), Japan; any qualification earned from the International Kikisake-shi 唎酒師 class provided by SSI (or any trainer or affiliated provider of theirs) confers the title “International Kikisake-Shi”, (with a literal translation of sake specialist or sake tasting instructor/teacher); it does not confer the title “Sake Sommelier” nor "Certified Sake Sommelier", as this is awarded solely by the Sake Sommelier Association (SSA).

Both programs offer a strong overview of sake basics: sake making, production methods, sake styles/profiles, etc. Each course also has its own unique tasting method and will make you a much better sake taster, the way they differ: SSA is more service-oriented: focusing more on history, culture, serving etiquette and food pairing. If your goal is to become more skilled at understanding, presenting and serving sake, SSA is the place to start. WSET focuses more on brewing methods, production choices, regionality and diverse styles in greater detail. If you are looking for a deeper dive into the elements of sake making, how production choices affect the finished product, the sake industry as a whole and one of the most challenging advanced sake certifications in the world, WSET may be right for you.