WSET® Level 3 Award in Wines

Description

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.

The course includes 33 hours of in-class instruction, 6 tasting glasses for new students, wines tasted (80 wines), exam fee, and WSET Level 3 Study Pack. Successful candidates will receive a WSET certificate, lapel pin, and the use of the WSET certified logo. The qualification is divided into two Units:

Unit 1

The key factors in the production of wine: location, grape growing, winemaking, maturation and bottling
How these key factors influence the key characteristics of the principal still, sparkling, and fortified wines of the world
How to apply your understanding to explain wine style and quality

Unit 2

How to taste wines, describe their characteristics and evaluate their quality, using the WSET Level 3 Systematic Approach to Tasting Wine® (SAT)

What is Expected:

It is recommended that you hold the WSET Level 2 Award in Wines and Spirits or can demonstrate the equivalent level of knowledge. It will be very difficult to successfully pass or keep up with the required level if you do not.
It is also expected that you will individually study 51.5 hours and that you will have read the WSET Level 3 Specification. Want more information? Email us for a quiz.
Unit 1 ends with an assessment, a closed-book exam of 50 multiple choice questions and a short written answer paper. Wine Lab offers one free re-sit* for unsuccessful candidates. Subsequent re-sits are subject to a fee of 80€.
Unit 2 ends with a blind tasting of two wines. Wine Lab offers one free re-sit* for unsuccessful candidates. Subsequent re-sits are subject to a fee of 30€.

Class Sessions for all WSET Level 3 Award in Wines Courses are as follows:

Lesson 1 – Tasting Technique, Viticulture
Lesson 2 – Viticulture and Vinification
Lesson 3 – White Wines of Germany, Alsace, Austria, Tokaj, and Burgundy
Lesson 4 – Loire, Bordeaux, and Southwest France
Lesson 5 – Burgundy, Rhone, Southern France
Lesson 6 – Spain, Portugal, and Northern Italy
Lesson 7 – Central and Southern Italy, Greece, New World
Lesson 8 – New World
Lesson 9 – New World, Sparkling Wines
Lesson 10 – Sparkling Wines, Fortified Wines
Feedback exam and Review session
Exam**

*Students are only eligible for a free re-sit if they attend all 33 hours of in-class guided learning and submit one feedback exam.

Additional information

Prerequisites	It is highly recommended, but not required, that you have completed WSET Level 2 Award in Wines or an equivalent program prior to registering for the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines. If you do you not have a prior qualification and want to take the course, please contact Wine Lab at jody@winelabamsterdam.com. Candidates must be of legal drinking age in the Netherlands. If you are not of legal drinking age, or choose not to consume alcohol for religious or health reasons, then you may not be assessed in Unit 2; however, there is no barrier to completion of Unit 1. Please contact jody@winelabamsterdam.com for more information.
Recommended Progression	The WSET Level 3 Award in Wine is required for entry to the WSET Level 4 Diploma.
What’s Included	The course price includes 33 hours of guided in-class learning, 6 tasting glasses for new students, a WSET Level 3 study pack, over 80 wines tasted, the exam fee, and one free re-sit subject to conditions. Successful candidates will receive a WSET certificate, lapel pin, and permission to use the WSET certified logo.
What’s Expected	Students should plan to attend as many of the in-class sessions as possible and should plan for a minimum of 51.5 hours of private study. Students are encouraged to form tasting and study groups with their classmates. Students should review the course specification in detail for a full understanding of the expectations of the course.
Assessment	Unit 1 is assessed by a closed-book exam of 50 multiple choice questions and a short written answer paper. Unit 2 is assessed by a blind tasting of two wines. A score of 55% or higher is required to pass. Candidates scoring between 65% and 79% will earn a “Pass with Merit”. Candidates scoring 80% and above will earn a “Pass with Distinction”. Unsuccessful candidates may re-sit tasting, theory, or both as required for a fee. Wine Lab provides one free re-sit to students who attend all 30 hours of in-class guided learning and submit one feedback exam. Subsequent re-sits are subject to a fee of 80€ for the theory exam and 30€ for the tasting exam.