Levels of WSET Wine Certification — Where to Begin
The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) offers four levels of wine certification: Levels 1, 2, 3 and 4. Each level is ideal for a different stage in your wine career/studies, so knowing where to begin and when to advance to the next level is key.
Although your studies will be the most complete if you begin at Level 1 and proceed accordingly, for more advanced-level students, it’s also possible to begin at Level 2 or Level 3.
Below I’ve included a brief overview of each program so that you can better assess your ideal starting point:
WSET Level 1 in Wine
This introductory-level courses assumes no previous wine knowledge and is the ideal starting point for students new to the study of wine or familiar only with a specific aspect of the industry. In addition to an overview of wine generally and introduction to the WSET Systematic Approach to Tasting, I love this course’s focus on “the consumer end” of wine with ample focus on service, glassware, storage, and food and wine pairing. At The WSA, our in-person offering of this course is taught in one power-packed day. The Online WSET Level 1 Course is offered over a 4-week program.
WSET Level 2 in Wine
This intermediate-level course offers an in-depth look of the world’s major wine regions and grape varieties. The course is organized by grape, allowing students to understand foundational grape varieties across the world (i.e., how does a Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon compare with a Pauillac). This level is an important one and builds the “filing cabinet” of information students will need as they continue to grow their wine knowledge. The use of the WSET Systematic Approach to Tasting is expanded here and used to better understand the variables that define the wines we love. Our in-person courses include eight 2-hour sessions offered either across 8 weeks, 4 weeks, or one “intensive-format” weekend. The Online WSET Level 2 Course is offered over a 5-week program.
WSET Level 3 in Wine
At this advanced-level, it’s important students attending class have either completed WSET Level 2 or have a very high level of wine knowledge and established study skills. In WSET Level 3, students are not only responsible for accumulating knowledge, but must also use that deep understanding to think through complex ideas and develop original thought. Tasting skills are leveled up as well and tested on exam day with a blind tasting of one white wine and one red wine. Course time includes fifteen 2.5 hours sessions and at The WSA we also supplement this with instructor-graded practice exams for both the Theory and Tasting portions of the exam. This course propels student knowledge to the next level!
WSET Level 4 in Wine — Diploma
This expert-level course rewards dedicated students with a comprehensive understanding of the world of wine and an esteemed qualification held by few in the industry. The commitment is a serious one: 500 hours of study time over the course of approximately 2 years.
Before beginning this course, you must pass WSET Level 3, whether you complete that course in-person or online. Although many students wish to jump directly into WSET Level 4, the knowledge obtained in WSET Level 3 is absolutely critical to success in this challenging program.