About the Course
Who It’s For:
Wine professionals and consumers who have a broad foundation of wine knowledge — including appellation systems, major wine-producing regions and grape types — and are experienced in tasting technique. This course will provide them with in-depth product knowledge to underpin job skills such as product selection in the retail and hospitality sectors. Successful students will be in a position to advise management, to answer customer queries authoritatively, and to make informed selections of wines in a variety of situations.
What You’ll Learn:
Besides building your skills, this course provides a thorough understanding of the principal wines of the world, and their commercial importance in the world market.
Specifically, it covers:
- The natural factors and human processes in the vineyard and the winery that influence the style, quality and price of wines.
- The characteristics of the world’s major sparking, still and fortified wines and how aspects of grapegrowing, winemaking, law and commerce contribute to the wines’ style, quality and price.
- Details of wine service and storage relevant for advising customers and staff.
- How to evaluate quality, style and price in the glass. Six wines are tasted in each class session.
Class Format:
37.5 hours of class time and a two-and-one-half-hours exam. The exam has two parts: a practical tasting of two blinded wines; and a written exam composed of 50 multiple-choice questions and four short-answer questions.
Course Syllabus:
Interested in Taking This Course?
View DatesWhat You'll Achieve
- The professional ability to describe the characteristics of key wines from the principal regions of the world and explain the reasons for their style, quality and value.
- Professional skills to advise management, answer customer queries authoritatively, and make informed selections of wines in a variety of situations.
- The ability to evaluate wines by tasting and to judge their quality and readiness for drinking.
- Candidates who successfully complete both units of the exam will receive the WSET® Level 3 Award in Wines.
The WSET® Level 3 Award in Wines is a prerequisite for the WSET® Level 4 (Diploma) course.
Registration Requirements
- At least 21 years of age AND
- A passing grade in the WSET® Level 2 Intermediate Course in Wines & Spirits; OR
- A passing grade in the WSET® Level 2 Intermediate Course in Wines; OR
- Successful completion of the Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) course of the Society of Wine Educators; OR
- Successful completion of a WSET-sanctioned entrance exam ($40 fee).
About the Exam
Two-and-one-half-hours exam. The exam has two parts: a practical tasting of two blinded wines; and a written exam composed of 50 multiple-choice questions and four short-answer questions.
Course Materials
Study pack contents:
- Textbook: Understanding Wines – Explaining Style & Quality
- Course Specification booklet
- Student Workbook
- Laminated SAT Card
How Much Does It Cost?
Registration Fee: $100
Study Kit: $198
Exam: $382
Tuition: $1528
Total: $2208
Discounted fees are available to Teaching Assistants. These positions are limited in number and are granted at the discretion of International Wine Center.
How Do I Sign Up?
- Choose a class date that works for you. You can View Dates by clicking the button to the right, or browse available dates and times by going to the Registration section.
- After choosing the date that’s best for you, complete the required Enrollment Agreement, to streamline your registration process.
- Click the Register button. (If you have not yet completed the Enrollment Agreement, you can complete it during the registration process.)
