Wine, Beer, and Cocktail Service Fundamentals

The Wine, Beer, and Cocktail Service Fundamentals course has been designed to provide insight into the world of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. This course will guide any aspiring hospitality student into the world of wines, spirits and beers, ready to support hospitality operations.

IS THIS FOR YOU?

This course is an introduction to beverage knowledge and service, designed for anyone interested in exploring or pursuing a career in the hospitality and beverage sector. No prior experience is required.

ABOUT THIS COURSE

The course provides a broad overview of beverage fundamentals, wine service, and cocktail foundations, helping you build the confidence to apply for roles in hospitality environments that focus on beverage excellence.

Beverage knowledge is a key skill across hospitality roles, with opportunities in restaurants, hotels, bars, events, and luxury service. Roles may include sommelier assistant, bar supervisor, beverage manager, or hospitality team member.

The course comprises eight modules, featuring engaging content and practical insights into wine, cocktails, and alternative beverages. Each module is broken down into manageable sections, making it easy to progress through the course.

Upon completion, you will receive a Pitman Training Certificate to validate your understanding of hospitality principles and practices.

Course Info

Duration 30 HOURS (Actual course duration will vary from individual to individual, based on prior skills and application.)

Training Type Course

Study Type In centre, Online

Awards & Qualifications

Awarded 30 CPD points upon successful completion

Discounted Training

CITB Members can receive a special discounted rate on our training courses – Click to find out more

Is this course right for me?

CAREER PATH

Beverage expertise is highly valued in hospitality. Roles may include sommelier assistant, bar supervisor, or beverage manager.

Awarded 30 CPD points upon successful completion

Duration 30 HOURS (Actual course duration will vary from individual to individual, based on prior skills and application.)

Course Content

Module One – Beverage Fundamentals and Profitability:

Gain a foundation in beverage knowledge and understand how drinks contribute to profitability.

Module Two – Explore Red Wines:

Study the most common red wines, their flavour profiles, and structure.

Module Three – Explore White, Sparkling and Aromatic Wines:
Discover popular white wines and aromatic varietals.

Module Four – Wine Service and Etiquette:
Learn professional wine service standards, including how to open and serve wine, correct storage and serving temperatures, and how to present and
polish glassware.

Module Five – Wine Regions and Styles:
Explore how geography influences wine. Compare Old World and New World wines.

Module Six – Sparkling Wine and Fermentation Science:
Understand how still wine becomes sparkling. Explore global sparkling wine styles, learn how Champagne is made, and practice serving and recommending sparkling wines.

Module Seven – Cocktail Foundations: Vodka, Gin, and Rum:
Get introduced to classic cocktail foundations. Study vodka, gin, and rum cocktails, explore flavour profiles, and practice using bar tools and techniques.

Module Eight – Alternative Beverages and Beverage Culture:
Explore the wider world of beverages, including tea, coffee, and espresso.

Course Overview

The course offers insight into how beverage knowledge enhances guest experience and supports business success.

Participants must have completed the Introduction to the Principles of Hospitality.

September 2026

September 3 Microsoft Power BI Introduction -Tutor Led

Microsoft Power BI Introduction -Tutor Led

Glasgow 3rd Floor, Tontine House 8 Gordon Street, Glasgow, United Kingdom

September 3 Assertiveness – 1-day Workshop

Assertiveness – 1-day Workshop

Edinburgh 4 Queen Street, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

September 4 A.I in the Workplace – 1-day Workshop

A.I in the Workplace – 1-day Workshop

Edinburgh 4 Queen Street, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

September 8 Management Skills – 1-day Workshop

Management Skills – 1-day Workshop

Glasgow 3rd Floor, Tontine House 8 Gordon Street, Glasgow, United Kingdom

September 8 MS Project Introduction – Tutor Led

MS Project Introduction – Tutor Led

Edinburgh 4 Queen Street, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

September 9 Negotiation Skills – 1-day Workshop

Negotiation Skills – 1-day Workshop

Edinburgh 4 Queen Street, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

September 9 PowerPoint Advanced – Tutor Led

PowerPoint Advanced – Tutor Led

Glasgow 3rd Floor, Tontine House 8 Gordon Street, Glasgow, United Kingdom

September 10 Telephone Techniques – 1-day Workshop

Telephone Techniques – 1-day Workshop

Glasgow 3rd Floor, Tontine House 8 Gordon Street, Glasgow, United Kingdom

September 10 Microsoft Word Intermediate – Tutor Led

Microsoft Word Intermediate – Tutor Led

Edinburgh 4 Queen Street, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

September 11 A.I in the Workplace – 1-day Workshop

A.I in the Workplace – 1-day Workshop

Glasgow 3rd Floor, Tontine House 8 Gordon Street, Glasgow, United Kingdom

September 14 Time Management – 1-day Workshop

Time Management – 1-day Workshop

Edinburgh 4 Queen Street, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

September 14 Microsoft Word Advanced – Tutor Led

Microsoft Word Advanced – Tutor Led

Glasgow 3rd Floor, Tontine House 8 Gordon Street, Glasgow, United Kingdom

Testimonials

The course was relaxed, friendly and inclusive. The tutor was experienced and comfortable with answering questions raised not phased by anything.

Linda – Personal Assistant – Executive PA Seminar

Executive PA Seminar, General PD, Organisations Testimonials

“I enrolled with Pitman in August 2008, having been made redundant from my job as a Legal Secretary in July 2008. I studied the Pitman Upgrade to Fast Track Microsoft Skills Diploma. When I returned to work in 2000 having raised my family, I was unfamiliar with computers I undertook a very basic computer course and was lucky to be offered a part time job with a local Solicitors, but I always felt there was so much more to Word and Excel that I did not know. Having spent six months at Pitman doing the above course, I was lucky enough to get a part time job as a typist/receptionist with W R Hall, Chartered Surveyors. Although this job is very different to my last one, I have been able to make use of the skills I learned on your course, especially with Word and Excel.
Having been a volunteer with the Citizens Advice Bureau for many years, in August 2009 I was offered an admin job. I needed to use Access and could confidently do this having completed my training in that as well. I now have two part time jobs which keeps me very busy! I feel sure that I would not have been offered the second admin job if I had not learned Access, as this takes up a great part of my working hours.
I really enjoyed my time at Pitman. The staff were really friendly and helpful and it was a very professional environment to be in. It certainly got me through the six months I was unemployed, as it felt almost like going out to work on the days I attended the Training Centre.”

HG – Fast Track Diploma

General Diploma, Microsoft Office, Private Individuals

Excellent course, well presented and worthwhile. Thank you!

Katie – Personal Assistant – Word

IT Tutor Led, Organisations Testimonials, Word Seminars

“Last year I enjoyed filling in my retirement days with studying for a ECDL at Pitman’s, where the staff were patient and encouraging. The challenge was excellent and now I have a certificate to prove I learnt a few things.
At present I use the skills I acquired for voluntary work, but they also allow me to feel I understand online security better and I can generally use my computer in a faster and more informed way.
Thank you Pitman!”

FD – ECDL

ECDL, Private Individuals

I am enjoying my new role as medical audio typist. Studying at Pitman Training was a good break from the every day world of work. I learned that some of the computer applications I’d heard of before were not as scary as I’d once thought!!

M M – Medical Audio Typist

Private Individuals

“When I started my Executive PA Diploma last September I was quite unsure what direction my career was going in, I guess you may hear this fairly often, however as the course progressed and my confidence increased I felt ready to look for a PA Executive job. In January I was very successful to be offered the role PA to the Senior Dental Advisor at Practitioner Services (part of the NHS) which I believe my Pitman training played a pivotal part and gave the company confidence to employee me.
I have now completed my three month contract at Practitioner Services, so again I had to think about the direction my career would go. So, I am delighted to let you know that I have been offered a permanent job as a Training Co-ordinator, taking over all the logistics and administration associated with the training events and seminars that the Company delivers and I will be working directly with the Managing Director.
Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and your training administration team without whom none of this would have happened.”

LF – Executive PA Diploma

Executive PA, Private Individuals

Wine, Beer, and Cocktail Service Fundamentals