A wine podcast bringing the joys of wine to wherever you are in the world. This is the place for fun, casual wine conversations, with tips, wine facts and wine tasting to inspire your next bottle of wine or vineyard visit. Listen to Winemakers, Sommeliers and Master of Wines who share their extensive knowledge, talking about wine regions and their terroir, their favourite wine pairings and winemaking techniques. This podcast is ideal for anyone starting their wine journey and studying WSET level 1 and 2 or just some great revision for those of you going even further. So grab that wine glass and lets get stuck in!
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A wine podcast bringing the joys of wine to wherever you are in the world. This is the place for fun, casual wine conversations, with tips, wine facts and wine tasting to inspire your next bottle of wine or vineyard visit. Listen to Winemakers, Sommeliers and Master of Wines who share their extensive knowledge, talking about wine regions and their terroir, their favourite wine pairings and winemaking techniques. This podcast is ideal for anyone starting their wine journey and studying WSET level 1 and 2 or just some great revision for those of you going even further. So grab that wine glass and lets get stuck in!
Ep 230: Part 7 of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Wine – Making Wine Education Accessible: Alex De Cata on WSET, Social Impact & Global Inclusion
EAT SLEEP WINE REPEAT: A wine podcast
43 minutes 34 seconds
3 months ago
Ep 230: Part 7 of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Wine – Making Wine Education Accessible: Alex De Cata on WSET, Social Impact & Global Inclusion
Alex De Cata, Senior Manager of Global Development at WSET, joins Janina to explore how wine education can break barriers and create opportunity. From adapting materials for visually impaired students to funding wine courses in Angola and South Africa, WSET’s reach goes far beyond the classroom.
They discuss how education—through tasting, theory, and structured approaches—empowers people to understand and enjoy wine, regardless of their background or budget.
Along the way, you’ll learn why blind tasting is such a powerful tool for wine education, how cultural context shapes the way we perceive aromas, and why exploring lesser-known grapes like Fetească Regală or Xinomavro can offer incredible value. Alex also reflects on the emotional connection we form with wine through meaningful moments, and how staying curious—and truly listening—can help build a more inclusive and diverse industry.
This inspiring conversation will leave you rethinking what wine education really means—and who it’s for.
Episode Guide (Chapters) [02:21] – How Alex carved out his role at Wine & Spirit Education Trust [03:44] – What is the WSET and what does it stand for? [04:33] – Who are WSET courses for? [05:43] – Why blind tasting matters [09:35] – How to build your aroma memory [12:48] – Tasting the unexpected: wines off the beaten path [15:01] – Exploring regions beyond Bordeaux, into the South West of France [19:16] – How WSET promotes accessibility and inclusion [23:46] – WSET’s global social impact [27:42] – What’s next for WSET’s social initiatives? [32:31] – How wine education can save you money [34:24] – Discover: Fetească Regală and Fetească albă [36:15] – Alex’s favourite part of teaching [38:31] – Wine recommendation: meaningful moments [40:45] – What can we all do to make the industry better?
If you are wanting to explore more the qualifications available at the WSET, find all details on their website: https://www.wsetglobal.com/
📩 Questions or feedback? Email me: janina@eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk 📸 Follow on Instagram: @eatsleep_winerepeat 🎥 YouTube Channel: Eat Sleep Wine Repeat 🌐 More content: www.eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk Until next time – cheers to you! THE EAT SLEEP WINE REPEAT PODCAST HAS BEEN FEATURED IN DECANTER MAGAZINE, RADIO TIMES AND FEEDSPOT AS THE 6TH BEST UK WINE MAKING PODCAST.
EAT SLEEP WINE REPEAT: A wine podcast
A wine podcast bringing the joys of wine to wherever you are in the world. This is the place for fun, casual wine conversations, with tips, wine facts and wine tasting to inspire your next bottle of wine or vineyard visit. Listen to Winemakers, Sommeliers and Master of Wines who share their extensive knowledge, talking about wine regions and their terroir, their favourite wine pairings and winemaking techniques. This podcast is ideal for anyone starting their wine journey and studying WSET level 1 and 2 or just some great revision for those of you going even further. So grab that wine glass and lets get stuck in!
