WSET Level 3 Course

This is WSET's advanced course for individuals seeking to delve deeply into the world of wines. This qualification provides a detailed understanding of grape growing and wine making and provides intensive work with the structured approach to tasting. Over the course of six days, we taste more than 100 wines. While the WSET mandates a minimum of 30 hours of classroom training, at Fine Vintage we provide 40 hours (exclusive of the exam) to assure you have the maximum understanding and ability to take the two-and-a-half-hour exam at the end of the course. Upon completion of this course you will be able to assess wines accurately, and use your understanding to confidently explain wine style and quality in every major wine region. Upon successful completion of the exam you will receive a WSET certificate and lapel pin, and will also be able to use the associated WSET Certified logo.

A New Edition Of A Classic Course

WSET revised the Level 3 course materials in 2022, so we embark with a course program that includes the latest research on viticulture, wine regions and more. It is an in-depth course in which the classroom instruction synchronizes with the latest edition of the textbook, a beautifully written and very informative guide to the nuances of wine appreciation. And the workbook that accompany the text includes a large number of colorful maps of the world's wine regions in addition to many helpful tips for tasting.

The course goes into significant detail about grape growing, winemaking, and maturation, and then tours the world region by region. And of course, it includes extensive coaching in the foundation of the WSET approach, the acclaimed systematic tasting method that gives you a solid framework for evaluating and describing any wine you encounter.

Over the three weekends of the course we taste 100 wines. Each day includes a period devoted to preparation for the certification exam at the end of Day Six - your gateway to the coveted WSET Level 3 Award in Wines. Some WSET providers try to pack all the information in Level 3 into just four days, offering the bare minimum of 30 hours of classroom tutoring, pouring fewer wines and with fewer opportunities to perfect your tasting method as a result. In the course James Cluer created for Fine Vintage, we offer more than 40 hours of classroom study and guided tasting leading up to the exam. Since the exam includes a tasting module (two wines examined through a blind tasting), you will want as much coaching on your tasting skills as possible.  We also feature extensive coaching on how to answer the “short answer” questions at the heart of the final exam. These four essay-like questions count for more than half the total points on the exam. We invite you to join us for a remarkable and rewarding educational and tasting experience, and really learn the WSET approach with Fine Vintage, Ltd..

What WSET Level 3 Means

At the end of Fine Vintage's Level 3 course, you will be fully prepared for the exam (given the last two and a half hours of day six), and be able to:

• Understand the effect of location and identify the key factors influencing viticultural practice

• Identify the key options available for vinification, maturation and bottling

• Understand the legal requirements for labeling

• Identify the key wine producing regions and districts of the principal wine producing countries of the world and, where appropriate, the important communes

• Identify the key factors and characteristics influencing the style, quality and price of the wines

• Understand the social, health and safety issues relating to the consumption of alcoholic beverages

• Identify common faults and the possible causes

• Offer recommendations on sale and service

• Understand the principles of food and wine matching

For more details about what Level 3 entails (and to see a sample wine log) visit the Fine Vintage, Ltd website here. You can also download a sample wine log that illustrates the extremely high level of wines we taste during the six days of the course. Remember, you can't learn about fine wine tasting average wine - you want the good stuff, and we pour it here! 

Your Guide to Understanding WSET Level 3

With the tastings and extensive coverage of great wine regions of the world, you will truly take your love of wine to the next level...and meet some terrific people in the process. Our WSET Level 3 classes generally feature a mix of both enthusiastic (and serious) amateurs and dedicated wine professionals, including wine brand ambassadors, journalists, sommeliers, importers and distributors.

I encourage you to register as early as possible for all our courses, but especially with Level 3. The textbook is lengthy and we encourage you to read it through at least four times prior to the exam on the final weekend of the course. To do this, you will want it as far in advance of the course as possible, so please do not hesitate to register at your earliest convenience to assure you have the best possible opportunity to get the most from the tastings and exercises in the classroom and then to excel on the exam.

Upcoming dates for the Fine Vintage WSET Level Three course with Lyn Farmer:

WSET Level 3 in Augusta

Course begins November 4, 2023

Our first Level 3 course in Augusta is offered over three weekends, beginning  Saturday and Sunday, November 4 & 5, 2023, and continues November 18 & 19, then concludes on Saturday and Sunday, December 2 & 3, 2023. Each of the six days (except for day 1) begins at 9am with an optional half-hour review session; the class proper begins at 9:30am and continues to 5:30pm with a one hour break for lunch. The last three hours of day six are given over to the certification exam in three parts: a blind tasting exam (evaluating two wines, one red and one white), a multiple choice exam and four “short answer” questions.

Our Augusta courses are offered at Cork & Flame Restaurant in Evans, GA. Click the button below to go directly to the Augusta course page on the Fine Vintage, Ltd. website

WSET Level 3 in Chicago

Course begins April 6, 2024

Our first Level 3 course in Chicago in 2024 is offered over three weekends, beginning  Saturday and Sunday, April 6 and 7, 2024. The course then continues on April 20 and 21, giving you a long period of study between the sessions, and then there is another break for study and review before the course concludes on May 4 and 5, 2024. The exam is the entire afternoon of May 5.

Each of the six days (except for day 1) begins at 9:00am with an optional half-hour review session; the class proper begins at 9:30am and continues to 5:30pm with a one hour break for lunch. The last three hours of day six are given over to the certification exam in three parts: a blind tasting exam (evaluating two wines, one red and one white), a multiple choice exam and four “short answer” questions.

Our Chicago courses are offered at the Hilton Garden Inn Central Loop, located at 245 South Franklin Street. It is in the heart of the financial district, situated across from the Willis Tower.