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 Online

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

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

Online

IWEG offers online WSET courses through WSET’s Online Classroom, which allows you to study alongside your peers under the guidance of a dedicated educator. This course is based around a 9-week structured online program with a recommendation of 10 hours study per week to cover the online activities and read the relevant chapters in the textbook. The course follows a weekly structure, but you can work ahead or catch up on the activities and forums. There are no set times to log into the course as there are no live chats or webinars. Regular access and participation in the course online activities is essential for this mode of study. You may contact the educator any time for the duration of the scheduled course. Each week includes a series of independent and/or group activities that guide you through the key wine regions of the world looking at the factors in the vineyard and winery that influence wine styles. You are advised to taste a range of wines during your studies; a list of recommended tasting samples can be found in the specification. Please note that it is your responsibility to source these wine samples and the cost of these is not included in the tuition fee. You can post your tasting notes in the WSET Online Classroom for review by the educator.

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

Monday, June 26th - Sunday, August 27th. Tasting workshop on Friday, September 8th. Exam on Saturday, September 9th at 2:30pm at IWEG, 211 Yonge Street, Suite 501. Course code: O3WI2316APP. Course fee payment due Friday, June 16th at noon.

Monday, July 17th - Sunday, September 17th. Tasting workshop on Friday, September 29th. Exam on Saturday, September 30th at 2:30pm at IWEG, 211 Yonge Street, Suite 501. Course code: O3WI2317APP. Course fee payment due Thursday, July 6th at noon.