WSET Level 3 Award in Wines: Explaining Style & Quality

A 10-week advanced level qualification for professionals working in the wine industry and for wine enthusiasts.

Who should attend:

For individuals seeking to delve deeper into the world of wines, this qualification provides a detailed understanding of grape growing and wine making. Upon completion you will be able to assess wines accurately, and use your understanding to confidently explain wine style and quality. Upon successful completion you will receive a WSET certificate and lapel pin, and will be able to use the associated WSET certified logo.

This qualification is open to students who hold the WSET Level 2 Award in Wines & Spirits or can demonstrate the equivalent level of knowledge. It is recommended that students complete the Level 2 Award in Wines & Spirits before progressing to the Level 3 Award. If you would like to submit an application to skip Level 2, contact us.

The program provides a detailed analysis of the principal wines and regions of the world. This course also provides an in-depth instruction of the WSET Systematic Approach to Tasting.

Level 3 is a prerequisite for candidates planning to study for the WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines and Spirits qualification.

Course Outline:

The WSET Level 3 Award in Wines is designed to give a thorough understanding of the factors that account for the style, quality and price of the principal still, sparkling and fortified wines of the world. The qualification will assist those who are required to make professional evaluations of wines with regards to their style, quality and price. The qualification provides the in-depth product knowledge required to underpin job skills and competencies, for example in product selection in the retail and hospitality sectors. Successful candidates will be able to describe the characteristics of the principal wines of the world and give information on the key factors influencing style, quality and price. They will consequently be in a position to advise management, to answer customer queries authoritatively, and to make informed selections of wines in a variety of situations.

In order to meet the qualification aims there are six learning outcomes spread over two Units. In order to gain the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines candidates must pass both Units.

UNIT 1: The Theory of Wines of the World

Learning Outcome 1

• Identify the principal natural and human factors in the vineyard and winery that are involved in the production of still wines of the world and explain how they can influence the style, quality and price of these wines.

• Identify and describe the characteristics of the still wines produced in the principal wine producing regions of the world and explain how the key natural and human factors in the vineyard, winery, law and commerce can influence the style, quality and price of these wines.

• Identify and describe the characteristics of the principal sparkling wines of the world and explain how the key natural and human factors in the vineyard, winery, law and commerce can influence the style, quality and price of these wines.

• Identify and describe the characteristics of the principal fortified wines of the world and explain how the key natural and human factors in the vineyard, winery and law can influence the style, quality and price of these wines.

• Demonstrate the ability to provide information and advice to customers and staff about wines.

• Accurately describe the key characteristics of the principal still wines of the world and use the description to make an assessment of quality and an assessment of readiness for drinking.

WSET Level 3 Systematic Approach to Tasting - How to taste wines and evaluate the quality, style and price. This unit is assessed by a blind tasting exam of two wines and exam as follows at WEI location.

Exam Overview

• 50 question multiple choice test
• Short answer and essay exam of 4-5 questions
• Blind tasting exam of two wines
• Students must achieve a 55% or better in each section of the exam.
• The exam is included in tuition and occurs on the last day of class.

All materials, wines and all exams are provided.