WSET Level 3 Wines Online Course

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.

Is Online Learning Right For Me?:

Before enrolling in an online course, consider the following –

Successful online students are those who value flexibility in their learning schedule, but who also understand that this requires more self-discipline and self-guided learning. Comfortability with technology, the ability to communicate well in writing, taking initiative to contact your moderator if you have questions or concerns, and participating actively in group discussion and chat activities are all musts in order to get the most from your online learning experience.

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.

Online Course Format:

Online. A 9-week online self-study program with a recommendation of 10 hours of online activity and textbook study per week.

You have 1 week to study each module and you may access the content — including online discussions, moderating educator chats, and feedback — 24/7. You can catch up on activities as your schedule permits, as there are no set meeting times.

You’ll study under the moderating support of one of International Wine Center’s experienced educators, who is on hand to review assignments, answer questions and guide you for the duration of the course.

You’re advised to taste a range of wines during your studies. These wines are purchased by you, at your expense, from a list of recommended tasting samples. You can post your tasting notes in the Online Classroom for review by your moderating IWC educator.

During your online studies IWC will host one optional in-person tasting technique course day / practice exam. IWC will also host one remote Zoom webinar and mock theory exam.

Exam Format:

The course includes a 2.5 hour in-person tasting and exam prep session at IWC before your exam. Your exam will be an in-person exam at International Wine Center in NYC.

Regular access and participation in the course online activities is essential.

Course Syllabus:

Level 3 Award in Wines Syllabus

Technical Requirements:

Students will require access to a computer (recommended) and/or smartphone or tablet with one of these browsers:

• Chrome 80 and 81
• Firefox 74 and 75 (Extended releases are not supported*)
• Edge 80 and 81
• Respondus Lockdown Browser (supporting the latest system requirements)
• Safari 12 and 13 (Macintosh only)