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:

Level 3 Award in Wines Syllabus

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What 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.

Exam Rescheduling Information

Course Materials

Study pack contents:

  • Textbook: Understanding Wines – Explaining Style & Quality
  • Course Specification booklet
  • Student Workbook
  • Laminated SAT Card
Course Materials

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?

  1. 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.
  2. After choosing the date that’s best for you, complete the required Enrollment Agreement, to streamline your registration process.
  3. Click the Register button. (If you have not yet completed the Enrollment Agreement, you can complete it during the registration process.)

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Meet the Instructors!

IWC Instructors
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