WSET Level 2 Award in Wines and Spirits

WSET Level 2 Award in the Loire Valley

By Martin Hudson, Master of wine

Martin Hudson, Château de Jalesnes and Loire Secrets bring their respective skills together to offer you a unique opportunity to combine the Loire Valley discovery with a qualification in Wine and Spirit delivered by the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET).

Share with other wine enthusiasts this unique opportunity to make  your WSET courses even spicier and livelier in the Loire Valley.

WSET Level 2 Award in Wines and Spirits

A beginner to intermediate level qualification exploring wines and spirits for those working in the industry or wine and spirit enthusiasts.

For individuals seeking a core understanding of wines, this qualification explores the major grape varieties and important wine regions in which they are grown.
You’ll learn about the styles of wines produced from these grapes as well as key classifications and labelling terminology. A basic overview of the key categories of spirits and liqueurs will also be provided. Upon successful completion you will receive a WSET certificate and lapel pin, and will be able to use the associated WSET certified logo.

> Learn more about WSET qualification

Martin Hudson, your course provider

The wine courses are run by Martin Hudson, Master of Wine; one of only 350 in the world.

Martin has always had a passion for wine, in particular wines of the Loire Valley; so much so, that he and his wife have a charming little ‘pied a terre’ a stone’s throw from the château de Jalesnes on the outskirts of Vernantes.

In 2000 Martin started to formalise his passion for wine by obtaining the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Certificate and Higher Certificate. With this taste for knowledge Martin embarked on the WSET Diploma, which he attained in 2002 and then went on to become a WSET certified educator in 2005. By 2008 Martin had become a Master of Wine. He had swapped his career in engineering quality control for one much more aligned to his oenological talents, going on to become a wine advisor at a much loved high street wine merchant and subsequently tutoring wine education courses for both staff and customers at the world renowned Berry Brothers and Rudd where he was also responsible for seeking out wines from the more esoteric regions of the Old World.

Martin delivers his training in a charming and relaxed manner, imparting both a knowledge of and a love for wine.

The Chateau Experience

Chateau de Jalesnes’s history is very much part of what the owners offer, so when you come and stay with them you will be given ‘The Chateau Experience’ – living in a beautiful 17th Century Chateau with modern kitchens, bathrooms and furnishings, yet retaining the old world charm.

The rooms are large with high ceilings so you enjoy the freedom of space. The furniture style is Country French, and the bathrooms are traditional …so you immediately feel you are in a lovely old Country Home. Guests are welcome to enjoy different sitting areas on the ground floor in the chateau to meet with friends, enjoy a good book, catch up on emails, or have a drink with other guests. The ground floor is a social space…where you meet and greet others staying on their own or in a group.

The grounds give the chateau its grandeur – with French gardens, spacious green lawns, 22 acres of forest, an orchard and a heated outdoor swimming pool.
Guests can explore the grounds and enjoy living life in a grand chateau…living as the wealthy landlords did in the past.