Prerequisite

It is highly recommended that you hold the WSET Level 2 Award in Wines prior to embarking on this course, although it’s not required. If you don’t hold the Level 2 designation, we ask that you take our entrance exam. We suggest that you get a minimum of 75% in order that your knowledge be sufficiently high so that you’ll be successful in WSET Level 3 Award in Wines. Please contact at us here and we’ll set you up with the test.

What’s covered?

• How spirits are made

• How production methods affect the characteristics, style and quality of spirits and liqueurs

• The characteristics of the principal international spirits and liqueurs

• How to taste and describe spirits using the WSET Level 3 Systematic Approach to Tasting

• Tastings of 30+ different spirits and liqueurs

Where we meet

Just like an in-person course, we meet at a regularly scheduled date and time. Unlike an in-person exam, the classes are run via Zoom. You will be sent a link that will be your link for the duration of the course. Please have video on it at all possible as it makes it easier to interact with the group. Please note that all sessions are recorded.

Course materials

All course materials including the wine samples will be shipped to you before the start of the course. You will receive a minimum of four wine shipments throughout the program. Note that as we are sending alcohol, someone 19+ must sign for the package.

Student Portal

Once you’re registered, you’ll be sighed up for the student portal. You’ll have access to the portal for one year. In the portal you’ll find many resources to help you through the Level 3 curriculum including maps, videos, weekly review questions and mock exams. All session recordings will also be posted here so if you have to miss a class, you can still listen to the lecture and follow along with the tasting.

Recommended Study Hours

We recommend that students study a minimum of 90 hours which includes the 45 hours of class time.

Exam

The WSET Level 3 Award in Wines exam takes place in Toronto in person. It’s comprised of a blind tasting of two wines followed by 50 multiple choice questions and 4 short answer questions.

Passing the course

You need to pass each of tasting, multiple choice and short answer with a minimum of 55%.

An overall score of 55-64% is a passing grade.

An overall score between 65% - 79% is a pass with merit.

An overall score above 80% is a pass with distinction.

Resit Fees

In the event that you were unsuccessful in either part of the exam, there is a $250 resit fee for theory and a $150 resit fee for practical.

Registration

In order to get your supplies to you in a timely basis, registration closes 10 days before the course start date.

Specifications

For more information on WSET Level 3 Award in Wines, click here for the course specifications.