WSET Level 3 Wines Courses

The seven-day WSET Level 3 Award in Wines course is for those that have already gained WSET Level 2 wine knowledge or equivalent. It helps build a deeper understanding of why and how wines taste the way they do.

Level 3 Courses typically run over a minimum of three to four weeks

Here at Enjoy Discovering Wine, we do not run Level 3 intensively as the key to being successful in the examination is learning the skill of not just recalling facts. The learner now needs to be able to clearly explain ‘why’ and ‘how’ the wines are like this. Students at WSET Level 3 may be able to collate all of the factual information but cannot pass the exam if they cannot apply that knowledge to explain how the producer does things and, therefore, what the outcome is.

Understanding grapes and wine, rather than learning by rote

Level 3 is perfect for those that want to really ‘understand’ things, not just ‘know’ them. The extra time throughout the course is key to learners having time to process and apply the classroom information.

For full details on the course, please read the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines Specification Document.

Additional study time

Make sure that you allow around 70 extra hours on top of the classroom time, however you are studying, to give time to practice exam technique.

Assessment

The WSET Level 3 Award in Wines will be assessed by a closed-book theory examination and a tasting examination. In order to gain an overall pass you must achieve a pass mark of 55 per cent in both the theory and the tasting examination.

Unit 1: Theory Examination
The closed-book theory examination is made up of two parts.
Part one comprises 50 multiple-choice questions and part two is a question paper requiring short written answers. This part will consist of four questions of 25 marks each.
The theory examination paper must be completed in two hours and you will be required to attain a minimum mark of 55 per cent in both part one and part two.
Unit 2: Tasting Examination
The tasting examination assesses Unit 2 of the Specification. The examination will consist of two blind wines and must be completed in 30 minutes. This unit also requires you to achieve a minimum mark of 55 per cent.

In summary…

On the course you will develop the skills to explain why certain grapes are grown in different places and what the winemaker has been up to, which is a much more fulfilling way to learn and retain information than simply studying facts.