Blind Tasting, the WSET Diploma Way

Three women sitting on couch together smiling and holding glasses of red wine. The woman in the middle is holding up a WSET tasting sheet.

For those who want to truly understand the world of wine, blind tasting is about much more than correctly identifying provenance or grape variety. It provides an unbiased way of honing your sensory skills and understanding of how different factors influence what’s in your glass.

In this YouTube video, WSET’s Victoria MacKenzie MW and Christopher Martin DipWSET will talk you through three tasting notes that have a common link, exploring how the WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines develops your wine tasting proficiency.

They’ll also explain how to use the evidence provided by your tasting notes to assess the style, quality and predict the future development of a wine. Check it out!

Extended Offer – Last Chance

A man white light hair wearing glasses while outside. He is smiling and holding close to the camera a glass of white wine.

To commemorate 10 years at our current downtown 211 Yonge Street campus, IWEG is offering a special promotion of early bird rates for the first 50 new registrants for:

  • Summer and fall in-class WSET and Wine Scholar Guild courses 
  • June and July WSET online courses
  • Wines of Portugal Certified Ambassador course

Use the code early23 at checkout to receive 10 per cent off eligible courses!

This special offer is effective June 28th and has been extended until July 4th, 2023. The promotion is not retroactive to existing registrations prior to this date.

WSET Diploma in-class and online courses are not included in this offer.

Join the WSET Diploma Class of 2025

The market-leading WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines qualification provides expert level knowledge and develops key analytical skills for success in the global wine business. Perfect for both the trade professional and the serious enthusiast, the course will arm you with specialist-level skills and experience, plus international recognition as an expert in the field of wine.

Holders of the Diploma will be able to identify characteristics of the principal wines of the world, make informed assessments of a product’s quality and value, and identify appropriate opportunities for the products within a given market. 

Graduates will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to underpin the job requirements in such roles as Food & Beverage Manager, Wine Buyer or Sales Executive.

The Diploma fulfills the prerequisite for the wine qualification requirement for entry to the Master of Wine (MW) program.

To enroll in the Diploma, you must have successfully completed the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines (previously known as the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines and Spirits or WSET Advanced Certificate). If your first language is not English, you are strongly recommended to have an IELTS score of 6.5 or above or be able to demonstrate an equivalent ability level.

The 2023-25 in-class program in Toronto will start on Wednesday, August 23rd, 2023 at IWEG, 211 Yonge Street, Suite 501. Learn more.

The 2023-25 online program will start on Monday, October 2nd, 2023. Learn more.

The IWEG experience

As the leading organization in wine, spirits and sake education in Canada, IWEG has offered the WSET Level 4 Diploma since 1988.

Our Diploma graduates over the years have gone on to become vital members of the wine and spirits industry in Canada and worldwide. IWEG holds the record for having the largest amount of Diploma graduates in Canada!

IWEG has been offering Diploma studies for longer than any institute outside of the WSET School in London, which means we enjoy a long history of student success. Our passionate and highly qualified Diploma educators, who come from different fields within the trade, provide on-going support to help you master the analytical tasting skills and supplemental theoretical knowledge necessary to succeed.

Learn about Still Wines, Sparkling Wines, Sweet Wines and Fortified Wines

Vineyard landscape in New Zealand

WSET Level 2 Award in Wines is the perfect wine course for anyone wishing to learn about a wide range of grapes and styles, as well as those seeking to build on the introductory knowledge gained with the WSET Level 1 Award in Wines. You’ll gain knowledge of the principal and regionally important grape varieties of the world, the regions in which they are grown and the styles of wine they produce.

You’ll learn:

  • How to taste and describe wine using the WSET Level 2 Systematic Approach to Tasting Wine®(SAT)
  • How environmental factors, grape-growing, winemaking and maturation options influence the style and quality of wines made from eight principal grape varieties:
    • Chardonnay
    • Pinot Grigio/Gris
    • Sauvignon Blanc
    • Riesling
    • Cabernet Sauvignon
    • Merlot
    • Pinot Noir
    • Syrah/Shiraz
  • The style and quality of wines:
    • Made from 22 regionally important grape varieties
    • Produced in over 70 geographical indications (GIs) around the world
  • How grape varieties and winemaking processes influence key styles of:
    • Sparkling wines
    • Fortified wines
  • Key labelling terms used to indicate origin, style and quality
  • Principles and processes involved in the storage and service of wine
  • Principles of food and wine pairing

Upon successful completion of a 50-question multiple-choice exam, you will receive a WSET certificate and lapel pin and will be able to use the associated WSET certified logo.

WSET Level 2 Award in Wines – use the promo code and save!
Date: Saturdays, July 8th – July 22nd at 9:30am – 4:30pm
Register Now!

The Spirit of Inclusion Initiative Scholarships 

IWEG is pleased to partner with the LCBO on The Spirit of Inclusion Initiative, a program designed to create opportunities for diverse women to enter, advance and thrive in the beverage alcohol industry. Scholarships currently available include WSET Level 1 Award in Sake and WSET Level 2 Award in Wines.  Learn more about the program and how you can apply for a scholarship.