The Journey of a Jamaican DipWSET living in Barbados

Pursuing the DipWSET from the Caribbean isn't only about mastering theory and tasting technique; it is about overcoming geographic isolation and limited market access, which most candidates in major wine hubs never have to consider.
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As the only Diploma-certified person based in Jamaica and Barbados, I found that preparing for the exam brought realities rarely discussed.

Access to benchmark wines is one of the greatest challenges. Many of the classic regions and producers required for exam preparation are not readily imported into our markets. Sourcing wines often involved coordinating international purchases, navigating import restrictions and paying shipping costs that sometimes exceeded the value of the bottles. I remember calling every distributor in Jamaica and Barbados in search of Alsace Grand Cru Riesling (among others).

Then there is travel. The Diploma is not offered within the Caribbean, which means long-haul flights are required to sit five examinations. In my case, that involved travelling to Napa from Jamaica or Barbados, accommodations, ground transportation and time away from work. These costs quickly compound.

I was incredibly grateful to receive a scholarship from the Gérard Basset Foundation, which covered my course tuition (for the most part, as course fees increased over the period). However, the scholarship did not extend to the wines needed for tasting practice, travel expenses or accommodations. Those remained significant personal investments.

This is the unseen side of earning global wine credentials coming from the Caribbean.

The Diploma is rigorous anywhere in the world. But pursuing it from the Caribbean requires an additional layer of resilience, financial, logistical and emotional support. Limited access to study groups. Limited access to benchmark wines. No regional exam centre.

And yet, representation matters.

Achieving the DipWSET from this region demonstrates that excellence in wine education is not confined to larger countries. I hope that by sharing this experience, we can create stronger infrastructure, better access and clearer pathways for the next Caribbean candidate who pursues this program.

As I think towards my future and applying for the Master of Wine program, I am cognizant of these challenges and how they will impact my journey.

#DipWSET #WineEducation #Caribbean #WSET #GérardBassetFoundation