Join the class of 2025! Perfect for both the trade professional and the serious enthusiast, the WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines will arm you with specialist-level skills and experience, plus international recognition as an expert in the field of wine. Learn more.

WSET Level 3 Award in Wines

Image of various hands sorting grapes with the logo WSET Wine & Spirit Education Trust and the text WSET Level 3 Award in Wines

All WSET textbooks and study guides are in an eBook format.

In-class

Course details

This advanced-level course is for industry professionals as well as dedicated enthusiasts who want to develop a broader and deeper understanding of wine. You’ll have a thorough understanding of grape growing and wine making and the factors that account for the style, quality and price of the principal still, sparkling and fortified wines of the world. You'll learn how to use your tasting notes to make objective conclusions on a wine's style, quality and readiness for drinking.

Prerequisite: None, however successful completion of WSET Level 2 Award in Wines is recommended or an equivalent level of wine knowledge. Experience with writing English at the college level would be beneficial.

This 40-hour course provides in-depth and detailed understanding of how human and natural factors in vineyard and winery affect wine style, quality and price. It further develops systematic tasting and description skills. Expect to spend 50 hours of preparation and review outside of the classroom.

You'll learn:

  • Grape varieties, wines and wine-growing regions in detail
  • 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 wines of the world
    • Sparkling wines of the world
    • Fortified wines of the world
  • How to apply your understanding to explain wine style and quality
  • How to make appropriate wine recommendations
  • How to taste wines, describe their characteristics and evaluate their quality, using the WSET Level 3 Systematic Approach to Tasting Wine® (SAT)

Upon successful completion of theory and blind tasting exams, you will receive a WSET certificate and lapel pin and will be able to use the associated WSET certified logo.

All WSET textbooks and study guides are in an eBook format.

View the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines specification for more information about the course.

Read our Cancellation and Refund Policy for courses and course exams.

Upcoming courses

Wednesdays, August 30th - December 6th at 6pm - 8pm. Exam on Wednesday, December 13th at 6pm at IWEG, 211 Yonge Street, Suite 501.

Saturdays and Sundays, September 30th - October 29th at 10:30am - 4pm. No class on October 7th and 8th. Exam on Saturday, November 18th at 10:30am at IWEG, 211 Yonge Street, Suite 501.

Wednesdays, January 17th - May 1st at 6pm - 8pm. Exam on Wednesday, May 8th at 6pm at IWEG, 211 Yonge Street, Suite 501.