wset level 3 sample essay questions

WSET Level 3 Wine – Sample Exam #3

Looking for sample wset level 3 exam questions.

First, we recommend you read our post about what to expect when taking the WSET online .

Then, take our WSET Level 3 practice quiz below to test your knowledge with a collection of sample questions that you may encounter on the WSET level 3 exam. Don’t forget to subscribe at the bottom of the page to receive updates and new sample quizzes.

Ready to enroll? We recommend Napa Valley Wine Academy for taking the WSET certifications online.

WSET Level 3 Practice Exam 3

These examples include knowledge from the WSET Level 3 Wine textbook, however are not written or associated with the WSET class. These questions are solely for purposes of gauging your wine knowledge. 

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• WSET Sample Test Questions

Below are some tips and exam type questions for the WSET exams. Our instructors have put these together from their own lectures and from our student's flashcards. Signing up for our VIP newsletter will give you additional tips, tricks, industry trends (and industry discounts!) as well as access to our own online quizzes where you will see questions like the below on a times and graded exercise. Its a great way to stay sharp and see where you need additional studying! The questions change each day so keep coming back!

WSET Level 1 Wine or Spirits

The first thing to know is that our pass rates for LVL1 classes are 99%. If you pay attention, you will most likely pass. Online classes can be a bit more difficult as you don't have the comradierie of a class nor are you guided through the topics and pairing exercises in a face to face with one of our instructors.

You will have 45 minutes for 30 multiple choice questions in your Level 1 exam. Sample questions

WSET Level 2 Wine or Spirits

We pride ourselves with a better passing percentage than most other Approved Program Providers! That said, this is still a more difficult exam than LVL1 with more multiple choice questions (50) that you have an hour to complete. Time is almost never a factor in this exam with most students finishing in 30-35 minutes. Take your time to ensure you read the question and don't get caught by "which of these is not" type of questions.

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WSET Level 2 Wine Sample Questions

WSET Level 2 Spirits Sample Questions

WSET Level 3 Wine

Quick overview on the exam, there are two parts tasting and theory. You cannot take just one UNLESS you are retaking a previously failed part! But passing one means you only have to re-take the failed portion. This is a serious exam, there are no shortcuts to success!

Don't think your multiple choice will carry you, you will need 55% in both the multiple choice AND the short anwser! 

LVL 3 Wine Sample Multiple Choice Questions

LVL3 Short Answer Tips

LVL 3 Tasting YouTube Tutorial  - Please subscribe to see additional video guides! 

LVL 3 Exam Tips YouTube Tutorial

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Level 3 in Wines – Sample Quiz

Welcome to our level 3 sample exam!

You will have 12 minutes to complete the 10 questions. You are required to score a minimum of 55% percent in order to the exam. This represents a score of at least 6/10.

The WSET Level 3 Practice exam above covers the multiple choice component of the Level 3 examination. It involves 50 multiple choice questions and you are required to obtain a minimum score of 55% percent in order to pass this component of the exam. This represents a score of at least 28/50.

If you want to continue your exam practice, access our full practice tests . These come with:

• 50 questions per exam
• 60 minute time limit
• Questions are randomly selected from our extensive database of example questions (250+ unique questions).

*Please note that we are not affiliated with WSET. We simply assist candidates in selecting the appropriate qualification and in the preparation for their WSET examinations.

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D0: Spotlight: Answering WSET L4 Diploma Exam Questions with Euan Robertson

Euan Robertson, the Albawineguy, is based in Scotland and works for the WSET School in London, marking Diploma homework essay questions ahead of the final exam. Most of the questions are from past exams, giving Euan has a very good insight into how to answer the essay. The homework essays are similar to the actual exam essays. At Diploma level, students are asked open response questions, but the questions are very different to those posed in a Level 3 wine exam. Students should aim to follow the question structure and answer in sentences and paragraphs, with linkages between the sections, rather than simply listing a set of bullet points. Euan talks us through the following example essay question: Describe the climate, typography, soils and grapes of Northern Rhone (40% of mark) and then secondly, explain how these are responsible for the different styles and quality of the wines produced in the regions. He gives tips for gaining marks and suggests if you are not sure on a point, to give approximations instead of an exact figure, for example in a question regarding yields. Keep it simple and easy for the marker - remember, they are the gateway for you to pass the exam!

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Tools to improve your tasting skills and pass the WSET L3 Award in Wines Tasting Paper, from £10.

Wine Tasting Guide »

Over 500 multi-choice & short written answer questions to help you pass the WSET L3 Award in Wines, available for £20.

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WSET Level 3 Review – A Comprehensive 10 Week Wine Course

Published by Jeremy . Last Updated on August 5, 2023.

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WSET is an international wine school that offers four tiers of classes (aptly named Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4- also known as Diploma). These courses help those interested in wine as well as industry workers receive a structured look at all things wine.

After completing my WSET Level 2 in late 2020, I immediately moved on to the 10-week Level 3 course with Capital Wine School in Washington DC and completed the course in early 2021. In this one, I wanted to share more about what you can expect if you move on to Level 3!

But before we get into it, we first have to make the upfront caveat that if you are new to the WSET courses, we highly recommend that virtually all potential students start at a lower level. If you have no experience with wine, you should start in Level 1, and if you have a bit of knowledge, WSET Level 2 is a good starting point. Only those who have comparable certifications to Level 2 via outside programs should consider starting in Level 3- it would be far too intense to start here otherwise.

Apart from simply being robust, Level 3 builds off everything you learn in the lower courses. As such, if you know nothing about WSET programs, we highly recommend you start with our WSET courses article which breaks down the respective levels and then read our detailed WSET Level 2 review prior to this one to get a firm understanding of what is best for you.

Much like in the course, this review assumes you know some basics about what WSET is all about.

Note : I took the WSET Level 3 exam in April 2021. Test material and structure can and does change over time. I passed theory with distinction and tasting with merit.

What All is Included in WSET Level 3?

If you enjoyed Level 2, you will be pleased to know that I consider Level 3 to be virtually identical in terms of the main categories featured. These include storing and tasting wine, how grapes grow, how wine is made, and details about specific grapes, where they grow, and all the associated details that go along with that.

The main differences are that the course simply offers far more of any given topic and that it is also presented in a slightly different way. The former is easily understood (longer course = more material), but the latter is worth discussing more.

When we took Level 2, we noted that the lectures and chapters were organized by grape. But Level 3, the lectures and chapters are organized by country/region (something I personally appreciated).

So in the week of Level 2 where you learn about Cabernet Sauvignon, you may discuss ~10 or so growing regions all over the world and subset PDOs within each. But in Level 3, you may spend a week talking purely about wines of the Loire Valley and Northern/Southern Rhone, and from there may only really mention Cabernet Sauvignon briefly when discussing left bank Bordeaux. A few weeks later when you get to Australia and the USA the grape may come up again as well.

Odds are good this isn't really a problem for most students, but it is worth noting all the same as it is not an inconsequential change in how the material is presented.

Moving on to the more important topic, we also need to discuss just how much more in-depth Level 3 is compared to Level 2. To give you some ideas of the differences, a few examples include:

• Instead of just talking about the parts of the grape in Level 2, WSET Level 3 adds more components as well as also parts of the vine. The course goes even deeper by beginning to discuss different vine growing, trellising, and maintenance techniques as well. I know far more about cane pruning vs spur pruning now thanks to Level 3. I had no idea what either of these meant in Level 2.
• Instead of discussing wine-making choices broadly (like MLF and barrel aging) in Level 2, you'll also talk about options including contact with oxygen, maceration techniques, adjustments, clarification/filtration, and so much more. Do you know what carbonic maceration is, why it is used, and where it is popular? Or how that is different from semi-carbonic maceration? You will at the end of Level 3.
• Instead of discussing a half-dozen or so AOCs in, say, Burgundy, you will discuss closer to 20 with even more in the Cote d'Or plus a more robust discussion in Macon and Cote Chalonnaise as well. Repeat this with virtually every region.
• Then there are even new regions to discuss which weren't even mentioned in WSET Level 2 at all. Think Austria, Hungary, Greece, Tasmania, Portugal, the Finger Lakes, Canada, and more. As such, it is pretty fair to say that if Level 2 discusses roughly 30 grapes in 70 unique PDOs, then Level 3 discusses roughly 100 grapes in 150+ unique PDOs (estimating here).

If you were to stop and really think about it, Level 3 is not re-inventing the wheel when it comes to discussing wine. It is just providing more granular detail (think 20 wine production choices as opposed to, say, five or six) and more volume (~100 grapes vs 30 grapes and more regions). At the end of the day, while there is a significant amount of new material and topics, it all relates back to the same core principles of wine that are discussed in Level 2.

In fact, in our general WSET wine class article, we mention that each progressive course is 3-5x more robust than the last, which also means that it is 3-5x harder as well. This is simply because the volume of information increases accordingly more than anything else. Wine is not an inherently difficult topic, but it becomes difficult purely on volume.

All of this is great for those who really want to go deeper into wine, but it also all comes back at the end with the test. How much that aspect of the course matters to you could, in fact, be the biggest issue of all.

What to Expect on the WSET Level 3 Test

In our Level 2 review, we discussed a unique aspect of the multiple-choice test in that many answers can be deduced simply by using logic. If you knew a question was discussing a red grape but recognized an answer was only applicable to white, you could remove it as an option and increase your odds of being right from 25% to 33%.

In fact, we had several questions in our Level 2 exam where two or even three out of four answers were outright wrong for the question, which made landing on the correct answer a breeze. I'll take a 50/50 shot any day of the week over 25% if I am unsure.

You won't be as lucky in Level 3.

The reason for this is because WSET Level 3 consists of three parts, the multiple-choice test is only one of those, and you have to pass all three to pass the exam here.

Thankfully, the multiple-choice element is identical in structure to Level 2's exam, and many of the thoughts about making logical deductions hold true. Unfortunately, as Level 3 has far more details you have to remember, the frequency of what we'd call “dummy answers” goes down quite a bit- so you really do need to know your stuff at this point as freebies are not as frequent and sometimes harder to recognize (but every test is different- you really could get lucky).

For many test-takers, the essay and tasting exams come with their own set of struggles that should be addressed as they are likely a more pressing concern.

Before we dive into it, we should note that if you are enrolled in WSET Level 3, we have full articles on our best tips on how to pass the WSET Level 3 essay exam and WSET Level 3 tasting exam on our site. These tests truly deserve their own articles and we highly encourage you to read those if you are already enrolled (in fact, we have one for passing the WSET multiple-choice exam as well). It'll be worth your time to read all of these if you are enrolled in Level 3.

But for those who are thinking about enrolling in Level 3 and haven't yet committed, we have some broad thoughts. While these tests are challenging, WSET makes them approachable if you know what to look for. For example, in the tasting and essay exams, the questions have a listed number of points. Generally, this total matches up to the number of elements WSET wants in your answer. If the question is one point, you need one item in your answer. Questions with three points require three unique elements. And so on.

So in the tasting exam when you need to address the Appearance of your red wine, WSET will show it is worth two points. This means they want two answers to go with it. If you know your tasting card inside and out, you know you must provide a statement on Intensity and Color and that there are only a limited number of possibilities to choose from per WSET lexicon- pale/medium/deep for Intensity and purple/ruby/garnet/tawny/brown for Color (this is specific to red wine- whites have their own terms).

If you know the proper terms, this portion of the exam isn't really different from the multiple-choice exam- most tasting categories may only have 3-5 options to choose from. If you are in the ballpark, you may improve your chances to a 50/50 shot simply by using logical deduction. Since you don't have to actually guess the wine, all you really need to worry about is describing it properly using WSET terms, which comes easier with practice and calibrating your taste buds to that of your instructor (this will happen if you take a live course with wine samples- highly recommended).

Likewise, one of the biggest reasons students miss points on the essay exam is that they only answer the question at hand. What we mean by this is that the questions are often devised in such a way that you should elaborate on the question just as much as the solution to show a full comprehension of the topic.

For example, a great practice question we were given in our class asked about frost prevention measures you could take in the Mosel. A lower-quality answer might only talk about the steps that should be taken to prevent frost. A more complete answer would also discuss why the Mosel has frost to begin with and why it is a problem for growing grapes in addition to providing the solution. An even better answer may do that plus provide several solutions and how they work, too.

Think of the differences between these: “Providing a heat source near the vines help prevents frost” vs “The Mosel is a cool continental climate subject to late spring frosts. This can cause damage to new shoots after budburst as well as flowers early in the season which could lower the vineyard's overall yield. Frost can be mitigated by providing a heat source near the vines (like an open flame), circulating the air via fans, or spraying water.”

The first answer may only get one checkmark. The second answer has the potential for 3-7 depending on what an instructor might be looking for. In reality, the best answer may also explain how and why each method works as well. If the question is worth five points and you only provide one answer in your solution (as per the first example), we can safely say you will not score above a 1/5. The points really are a guide for the level of detail you need!

We only want to highlight this here so prospective students really have an idea of the depth that is required of them if they take Level 3.

Overall, while I think that WSET Level 3 is quite comparable to Level 2 in terms of its structure, the content volume is multiplied several times over (likely on a magnitude somewhere between 3x-5x more). If you received your Level 2 certification, odds are good you  could apply the methods and logic you learned in the course to study all the extra material on your own via 3rd party sources and come away just as knowledgeable as if you took the course yourself. But at the same time, if you enjoyed how WSET presents the material and simply want more in a structured course environment, Level 3 is a great option to consider.

Onward to Diploma!

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From the Grapevine

Swindon's guide to wine and spirits.

• Feb 23, 2019

WSET3 - Test yourself

Updated: Mar 4, 2023

As a WSET3 student I was frustrated when it came to revision as there are no past papers available for practice. Well, my motto is, if you don't like something, do something about it, so I created my own quizzes, as a way to help me revise and to hopefully help other students in the future.

Some quizzes are themed around the chapters of the textbook for the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines "Understanding wines: Explaining style and quality, 2016 edition", others are random (thanks to James Cluer MW for having some of these on his website - https://www.finevintageltd.com/too )

NB: Due to the recent restrictions on Survey Monkey's free accounts, I am gradually swapping over to MS Forms, but you shouldn't see much difference.

Finally, if you feel these quizzes have helped you pass your WSET3, then please feel free to buy me a coffee / wine! I have given up my time to compile these (and will continue to add new quizzes), so any appreciation is welcome. Thank you!

Random Ten Questions 1

https://forms.office.com/r/3LGrHErQrH

Wine faults

https://forms.office.com/r/FVBMScxLuU

The growing environment (written answers - not multiple choice) There are no answers given with this quiz - you'll have to check the answers in the book.

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6VY5PMZ

Random Ten questions 2

https://forms.office.com/r/aH4dN40fnt

South Africa

https://forms.office.com/r/xRjhTzqBU2

Sparkling wines

https://forms.office.com/r/CiyN9iBZDU

Random Ten Questions 3 https://forms.office.com/r/NF5P1iTaXM

https://forms.office.com/r/dZWZKZ2Duc

Austria and Hungary

https://forms.office.com/r/jscXzYM48C

Random Ten Questions 4

https://forms.office.com/r/N3VZE8MGeL

https://forms.office.com/r/C0KqkaZRLQ

New Zealand

https://forms.office.com/r/LfpR1ERRan

Random Ten Questions 5

https://forms.office.com/r/hjP2GJ9a3z

Loire Valley

https://forms.office.com/r/K1V00618st

Port and fortified muscats

https://forms.office.com/r/4kCNWEu0p2

Random Ten questions 6

https://forms.office.com/r/Jj5GG4Q2JS

https://forms.office.com/r/XxWiGU8vTZ

If you come across any mistakes, or have any feedback, feel free to drop me an email .

#test #quiz #wset3 #wset #wine #exams #learning #study

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What are the exam topics on the WSET Level 3?

In this guide, Brainscape and wine expert Sarah Looper explain what content is covered in the WSET Level 3 exam, and key tips for acing it like a boss!

The fact that you’re here, reading this article, tells us one very important thing: you want to take your passion for wine to the next level . And that next level is the third tier of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust’s prestigious assessment program … the WSET* ® Level 3 exam!

*Insert thunderous applause here*

You may have read Brainscape’s more comprehensive article on how to study for the WSET 3 more efficiently . But before you really buckle down on those tips, it can be helpful to get a better sense of what's on the WSET Level 3 exam in the first place!

And that’s what this article is all about.

So ... congratulations on your valor, dear wine knight. For you have committed yourself to doing battle against a formidable (though, not unconquerable) opponent. The WSET Level 3 wine exam covers a body (of information) that makes Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson look like a skidmark.

It will require many, many weeks, and even months of dedicated studying to suit up with the wine facts necessary to vanquish this opponent.

But if knowledge is your weapon, Brainscape is the sage master swordsman who will equip you with the cunning, strength, and dexterity to wield your weapon like the great Trojan, Achilles (minus the silly incident with the heel).

What you have in your hands right now is Brainscape’s ultimate guide on what to expect on the WSET Level 3 exam . In this guide, we’ll take a close look at what topics are covered in the WSET 3, and how you can best approach studying so that you cover everything in good time and ace this prestigious wine exam.

[If you’re as geeky about wine as we are, join our Wine Community in Discord where we share all of our coolest facts, food pairing tips, wine life hacks, trivia, and so much more. Here, you can chat to other wine nerds from around the world and just generally live your best wine life!]

What you’ll learn in this WSET Level 3 overview:

4 Important study tips for the WSET 3 exam

Exam topics in the wset level 3 wine exam, wset 3 exam format and what to expect, using brainscape to vanquish the wset level 3 exam.

Let’s get to it!

Pssst! Check out our article ' How to answer WSET short-answer questions ' to learn the best strategy of attack for this notoriously tricky section.

Before we dive into the content and what's in the WSET 3 exam, there are a few important tips you need to know about the nature of the beast you intend to face. Knowing these will arm you with greater respect for your challenger, and help galvanize you for action ...

Tip 1: The WSET Level 3 is A LOT harder than Level 2

Half of all the students who sit for the WSET Level 3 exam, worldwide, FAIL because they simply don’t plan their time wisely enough. As a result, they aren’t able to study everything in time, which leads to cramming, anxiety, failure, and very likely several bottles of wine to wash away the bitter taste of defeat.

The message here is: don’t judge the WSET 3 based on the scope or the amount of studying you did for the WSET Level 2 wine exam . That was yesterday’s challenge, met and vanquished. Now, you are majorly “leveling up” by tackling the WSET 3, which is even more demanding and knowledge-intensive than its predecessor.

If timing is your primary concern, check out Brainscape’s ultimate guide on How to study for the WSET 3 more efficiently .

Tip 2: Study throughout the course

The best way to memorize and internalize the mountain of knowledge delivered through the WSET 3 coursework and textbook is to pace your learning over the duration of the course , which is generally between four to five months (16 to 20 weeks). That’s plenty of time to prepare ... if you start on day one:

• Yep ... start studying on day one (literally, on the first day of your course, go home and study what you learned in class). Rinse and repeat.
• Review the relevant textbook chapters before a lecture so that nothing you hear in class is brand new to you (and you’ve had a bit of time to digest it).
• Use lectures to ask questions , focus on your problem areas, and clear up any confusion.
• Use Brainscape’s WSET 3 Flashcard program to memorize the facts from each chapter as you progress through them in class.

If you follow these steps, you will arrive at the end of your course fully versed in all the facts and information you need to send the mighty WSET 3 back to Hades from whence it came.

Tip 3: Use Brainscape’s WSET 3 Flashcards

Listen closely because this can mean the difference between falling at the feet of the WSET 3 or triumphing over it (with distinction):

Use Brainscape’s WSET Level 3 Flashcard collection to memorize and internalize the hoards of facts and information needed to pass the exam. Seriously, based on decades of cognitive learning science, this savvy flashcard learning app is your secret weapon for passing the WSET 3. And here’s why:

Brainscape is a proven effective tool for studying knowledge-intensive subjects like WSET Level 3. In fact, we have tens of thousands of active users preparing to do battle with equally formidable foes like the bar (yes, The Bar ) and MCAT (medical school entrance) exams.

In other words, Brainscape is a serious weapon for serious learners !

The super engaging web and mobile learning app:

• Breaks knowledge down into logical bite-sized pieces , which it poses in simple question-and-answer flashcard pairs.
• Compels you to study using active recall and metacognition , two cognitive learning principles that are proven to help you learn by forming deeper, more permanent memories of the information you’re studying.
• Focuses on your weaknesses and saves time on unnecessary study through the spaced repetition of information you aren’t confident in.
• Enables you to study anywhere, anytime in those little breaks you find yourself with throughout the day, which add up. You can effectively sneak in upwards of an hour of study time during your daily commute, while waiting for class, on the treadmill, etc. And this is so important when you consider just how much material the WSET Level 3 covers.

Still dubious? Read about the sexy cognitive science behind Brainscape .

“The way Brainscape’s flashcards reinforce what you learn through spaced repetition is what helped me pass with distinction,” says Sarah Looper , the New York-based wine educator who led the team of certified experts we worked with to put together this guide and our masterful WSET 2 and WSET 3 flashcard collections.

Tip 4: Review, review, review!

When you’re not onboarding new facts, you need to be reviewing the stuff you learned in earlier lectures . The more frequently you expose yourself to this information, the more permanent your memories of it will become.

In case you didn’t get the message earlier: the WSET Level 3 is a monster of an examination and the only way to victory is hard work, consistent (opportunistic) studying, and relentless review, review, review!

With this reality check out of the way, let’s now dive into what exam topics you can expect in the WSET Level 3. What follows are 12 overarching sections, beneath which we’ve provided a sort of checklist of “what you need to know” facts. Make sure you know and understand them, and how they relate to each other!

Topics in the WSET 3 exam: an outline

• Tasting & evaluating wine
• Food & wine pairing principles
• Storage & service
• The anatomy of a grapevine
• The environment for grape growing
• Vineyard management
• Winemaking and maturation for still wines
• Factors that affect the price of wine
• Wine and law
• Winemaking countries and their regions
• Sparkling wines
• Fortified wines

1. Tasting & evaluating wine

View Brainscape’s WSET 3 flashcard deck on the ‘ Systematic Approach to Tasting ’.

The practical component of the WSET Level 3 wine exam will require you to be intimately acquainted with the wine tasting ceremony:

• The best environments for a wine tasting and their features (e.g. odor-free, availability of spittoons, good natural lighting, etc.).
• The right personal preparation for a wine tasting (e.g. don’t wear scented lotions or perfumes and don’t brush your teeth right before you taste wine, etc.).
• The perfect pouring size , which is 5cL or 1.7 fl. oz.

Then, you’ll need to be comfortable and familiar with the WSET Systematic Approach to Tasting ® (SAT), the methodology for developing the fundamental observational skills for tasting and evaluating wine. You should not only be able to define the SAT but also follow its algorithm in your identification of wines in the practical exam.

Your knowledge checklist for tasting and evaluating wines include knowing:

Color intensity and terminology The difference between ‘pale’ and ‘deep’ (and how to describe them) and the various color descriptors for white wines (lemon-green, lemon, gold, amber, and brown); red wines (purple, ruby, garnet, tawny, and brown); and rosé wines (pink, salmon, and orange).

Aroma intensity and terminology The different aroma intensity options (light, medium, and pronounced) and the differences between primary, secondary, and tertiary aromas with examples of each for both red and white wines.

Sugar, acid, tannins, alcohol The intricate dance between sugar, acid, tannin, and alcohol really determines the quality of a wine and your ability to enjoy it. So, for this section, you’ll need to know:

• Sugar: The difference between dry, off-dry, medium, sweet, and luscious descriptors for a wine’s sweetness.
• Acidity and tannin: What these elements taste and feel like on your palate, and the difference between the low, medium-minus, medium, medium-plus, and high descriptors.
• Alcohol: Contributes to texture and body and, at higher levels, can make a wine feel heavier on the palate. Alcohol can also trigger pain sensors or tingly sensations, which many people confuse with acidity. You’ll also need to know the alcoholic ranges for light, medium, and full-bodied wines.
• Mousse: Be able to discern between sparkling wines with delicate, creamy, and aggressive bubbles.
• Readiness for drinking: Evaluate whether a wine is too young to drink; if it can be enjoyed now but has potential for aging; if it should be drunk now because it’s NOT suitable for aging or it’s peaking; or, if it’s too old.

Quality levels Know the five quality levels of a wine (outstanding, very good, good, acceptable, poor) and be prepared to give reasoning as to WHY you assessed as you did, discussing the wine’s balance, length, complexity, and intensity of flavor and aroma, etc.

You should also be able to:

• Articulate what makes wines different at the Grand Cru, Premier Cru, and Village levels.
• Identify faults and their trademark aromas, for example TCA, reductiveness, sulfur dioxide, oxidation, out of condition, volatile acidity, etc.

2. Food & wine pairing principles

View Brainscape’s ‘ Wine with food’ flashcards for the WSET 3.

Have you ever enjoyed a gorgeous Cabernet Sauvignon that paired beautifully with your rich, meaty dinner, only to have it turn your face inside-out with dessert? The flavor profiles of the food you eat greatly affect the taste of the wine, which is why food and wine pairing is so important.

But you probably know this very well by now.

For the WSET Level 3 exam, you’ll need to know how each of the six taste sensations in food ( sweet, salt, acid (sour), bitterness , umami , and heat from spice) affects the taste of the wine being paired with the food, and vice versa.

You should also know which of the primary flavors are considered “high risk”, i.e. they easily affect (for better or for worse) the flavor of the wine (sugar, umami, bitterness, and heat). And, similarly, which of the primary flavors are “low risk” and do not easily affect the flavor of the wine (salt and acid).

Conversely, know how to define high-risk wines , which can overpower or clash with the flavor of the food; and low-risk wines, which are versatile and tend to pair harmoniously with most dishes.

Pro Tip: Use Brainscape to study this section! All of these important exam topics in the WSET 3 are arranged neatly into question-and-answer pairs in Brainscape’s WSET 3 flashcard deck on ‘Wine with food’, which facilitates the efficient and smooth learning of this essential area of study.

3. Storage & service

View Brainscape’s ‘ Storage and Service’ flashcards for the WSET 3.

The WSET Level 3 exam will expect you to know:

• The proper storage conditions for different wines.
• The optimal serving temperatures for different wines.
• How to open a bottle of still or sparkling wine, and how to decant a bottle.
• How many pours (and the size of those pours) you get out of a bottle.
• How to preserve wine after it’s opened.

4. The anatomy of a grapevine

View Brainscape’s ‘ Viticulture’ flashcards for the WSET 3.

Grapes are the building blocks of wine so as a WSET Level 3 candidate, you are required to deeply understand the biology of the grapevine , from its annual cycle (in both hemispheres) to the organic chemistry of its fruit. You’ll also need to be well-versed in the various aspects of viticulture that are leveraged to grow the best quality vines, as well as the challenges that can beset a vineyard:

• Crossings, hybrids, and rootstocks (and the differences between them).
• Phylloxera , what it is, what it does, and how to control it.
• Grafting , what it is, and how it’s done.

5. The environment for grape growing

View Brainscape’s ‘ Climate’ flashcards for the WSET 3.

Ah, terroir! The gentle interplay of climate, geography, weather, aspect, and soil plays such a fundamental role in wine-making that to give it any less than 100% of your undivided love and devotion is to handicap yourself in going up against the WSET Level 3.

For this section, you need to have an intimate understanding of what a vine needs to grow and the various factors that can help or harm them , for example, heat, sunlight, carbon dioxide, water, nutrients, etc. Breaking this down further, you need to know:

• The climatic and geographic factors that affect how warm or cool a region is (think: latitude, elevation above sea level, location of nearby warm or cold ocean currents, frequent fog, the aspect of the vineyard, etc.).
• The climate classifications (cool, moderate, warm, hot, continental, maritime, etc.) and their features.
• The features of continentality and how diurnal ranges in temperature can affect the vine.
• The kinds of temperature hazards a region might experience in winter and spring, and how to combat them in the vineyard.
• The different irrigation techniques.
• Know your soils and how factors such as drainage, water retention, composition, and types affect viticulture.

Brainscape’s WSET 3 flashcard decks on climate and the 27 individual regional decks (from Alsace to New Zealand) cover all the facts you need to know to ace this portion of the exam.

6. Vineyard management

With all the theory of the afore-discussed section under your belt, you can now imagine yourself as a grape farmer looking to establish and manage the most glorious vineyard. Here are the elements you can expect to be tested on in the WSET Level 3:

• Vineyard site The considerations that go into picking a site to plant a vineyard.
• Training The three different types of training (head-trained, cordon-trained, or untrellised) and which climates each works best in and why, taking into consideration heat, drought, and precipitation (rainfall, fog, mist, etc.
• Pruning The two types of pruning (spur and replacement cane pruned). WSET 3 students confuse these all the time so be clear on what they look like and which climates they work best in and why.
• Canopy management What the canopy is and how to work it so that the vine produces the best quality / quantity grapes (depending on your goals as a viticulturist).
• Planting density and yield Know what plant density is and how it affects competition for water and nutrients between the individual vines planted in a vineyard. Also, know what yield is and the relationship between yield and quality (i.e. quantity versus quality).
• Pests and diseases A fundamental part of managing a vineyard will be dealing with unwanted visitors, from bacteria to birds. For the WSET Level 3 wine exam, you will need to know about all the different pests , what they are, how they spread, and how you can control them. Be clear on the difference between fungal, viral, and bacterial diseases and the methods for treating them.
• Sustainable, organic, and biodynamic viticulture Welcome to agriculture in the 21st Century! Be able to identify the differences between sustainable, organic, and biodynamic viticulture.
• Harvest Familiarize yourself with how, why, and when grapes are harvested.

7. Winemaking and maturation for still wines

View Brainscape’s flashcards on the ‘ Vinification of White Wines ’ and the ‘ Vinification of Red and Rosé wines ’.

At this point, you will likely know enough to buy your own plot of land, plant some grapevines, and grow quality fruit. But now we’re getting to the real biblical stuff: turning grape juice into wine! Here are the winemaking exam topics tested in the WSET Level 3:

Topic 1: Grape sorting and processing How grapes are processed and the individual phases of processing for white, red, and rosé wines, as well as any necessary adjustments that need to be made.

Topic 2: Fermentation and filtering Fermentation is an essential step in winemaking so know the different kinds—(1) primary (alcoholic) fermentation and (2) secondary (malolactic) fermentation —what initiates both, and the effects they have on the taste and presentation of the wine. Also know what the lees are (dead yeast cells), how they influence the wine, and how to filter them out once the wine is ready. And then, of course, know how filter and fining is done and in what context/when either may be required. Finally, you should know how to stabilize a wine for tartrates, microbes, and oxygen , which is something usually done before bottling, after primary and secondary fermentation (if relevant) takes place.

Topic 3: Oxygen and sulfur dioxide in winemaking and maturation The role oxygen plays during winemaking and maturation and what sulfur dioxide does, when it’s deployed, and why.

Topic 4: Know your vessels Wine is fermented and aged in large vessels, which can be made from a suite of materials. You’ll need to know:

• The different species of oak that are used to make barrels and the various sizes of oak barrels (their origin and effect on wine).
• The alternatives to oak (inert/inox/stainless steel and concrete) and their effects on the wine.

Topic 5: WHITE wine-making methodology The WSET Level 3 will test your understanding of the methodology of white wine making, from the vineyards to the cellars:

• The aromatic, semi-aromatic, and neutral grape varieties and which wine-making styles are best for each
• Stylistic options (skin contact, clarification, stabilization, malolactic fermentation)
• Fermentation temperatures (Americans, learn your temperatures in degrees Celsius!)
• The difference between inexpensive , high volume wines and premium wines
• How to make sweet white wines (icewine, Botrytis, süssreserve)
• Packaging and enclosure options

For flashcards on the vinification of white wine , check out Brainscape’s awesome WSET level 3 collection!

Topic 6: ROSÉ and RED wine-making methodology The same goes for red and rosé wine making:

• How rosés are made (direct press, skin contact, blended with white wine).
• Keeping stems vs. destemming vs. whole bunch (carbonic maceration)
• Fermentation temperatures
• Cap management
• Punch downs vs. pump overs
• Maturation options

8. Factors that affect the price of wine

View Brainscape’s flashcards on ‘ Wine, Law, and Costs ’ for the WSET 3.

Know all the variables that go into determining the final price of a bottle of wine, from the price of land, winemaking methods, and vessels used, to packaging, transport, taxes, etc.

Pro Tip: One of the greatest benefits of using Brainscape to study for the WSET Level 3 exam topics is that—being a web and mobile flashcard app—you can take it with you anywhere and everywhere you go. This means that you can sneak quality study time in those 5, 10, 15, and 20-minute breaks you often find yourself with throughout the day.

On the bus ride home, on the treadmill at the gym, in the break between classes, over lunch, or even in the bath at night ... by the end of the day, you can log as much as an hour of additional WSET 3 study time , which is really the key to passing this exam. The world of wine awaits, all you have to do is log into Brainscape …

9. Wine, law, and pricing

A Geographical Indication (GI) identifies the wine as originating in a specific region or locality (e.g. Bordeaux, Burgundy, and Champagne) and it tells consumers quite a bit about its pedigree. You’ll need to know how GIs are broken down within each country (for example, in the European Union: PDO/AOP, PGI/IGP) as well as the various consumption laws and what can go on the label.

Check out Brainscape’s deck of ‘ Wine, Law, and Costs’ flashcards for the WSET 3 exam.

10. Winemaking countries and their regions

Pack your bags, we’re going on a wine-soaked trip around the world! The WSET Level 3 exam tests your knowledge of the wine-making regions of the world, their laws, most planted grapes, climate, production methods, and more …

• The laws, hierarchies, and classifications within each region (Europe, Canada, The United States, Australia, and South Africa).
• Regional grape varietals and styles: The most-planted grapes in each region for red, white, and sweet wines (if applicable) and if any come in specific styles (e.g. Chenin Blanc in Loire Valley grows best in Vouvray, Savennières, and Coteaux du Layon). Also make sure you’re able to compare and contrast the different grape varietals’ styles in regards to climate and soil (e.g. chardonnay from California vs. chardonnay from Chablis).
• Climate characteristics and weather threats: Each region’s seasonal climate (and how that impacts wine-making) and the various weather threats to viticulture.
• Production and maturation methods: The regions’ production and maturation methods, especially if any are distinctive (e.g. carbonic maturation in Beaujolais).
• Appellations: Examples of the different regions’ top appellations (e.g. Barolo and Barbaresco in Piedmont, Italy) and the styles of wines made there.
• Geography: How a region’s topography (mountains, lakes, ocean, etc.) affects a region and how that expresses itself in the wine (e.g. the Andes’ effect on Mendoza or the “Cape Doctor” southeasterly summer winds in Cape Town, etc.).
• Quality indications: Regional indications of quality and their hierarchy (e.g. prädikat and Grosses Gewächs in Germany).
• Sweet wines: The various levels of sweetness and their hierarchy (e.g. Tokaji Aszú and Tokaji Eszencia in Hungary or VT and SGN in Alsace).

Brainscape’s WSET Level 3 flashcard program contains a deck for every winemaking region you’re required to study for the exam, making it easy and convenient for you to learn the facts.

11. Sparkling wines

View Brainscape’s flashcards on ‘ Champagne / Sparkling Wines ’ for the WSET 3

Basically, know everything about sparkling wine for the WSET Level 3 exam!

• What the ideal grapes are and why
• How the grapes are harvested
• The production methods
• Autolysis, blending, disgorgement, and bottle maturation
• Sweetness terms and their residual sugar range
• The different styles (non-vintage, vintage, rosé), etc.

Also know the top regions for bottle-fermented and tank method sparkling wines, how they’re made ( know each and every step! ), and how to tell the difference between the two by appearance, nose, and palate.

Pro Tip: Keep track of your progress with Brainscape! As you study your WSET 3 flashcards on Champagne / Sparkling wine , the app keeps track of your time, reminding you at regular intervals how much study time you have left before you reach 100% mastery. This helps you properly manage your studies so that you cover everything in time for the exam!

12. Fortified wines

Port, Madeira, Sherry, and fortified Mucats ... for the WSET Level 3 section on fortified wines, you’ll need to know how climate, soils, and topography impact fortified winemaking; the top grapes, production, fermentation, fortification, aging, and maturation methods; and the classifications.

Also, understand:

• How Sherry is made, the difference between biological and oxidative aging, and the solera system (find Brainscape’s deck of WSET 3 flashcards on Sherry here ).
• How Port is made and when it is fortified (find Brainscape’s deck of WSET 3 flashcards on Port here ).
• How Madeira is made.
• How VDN is made (specifically Fortified Muscats).
• How fortified Muscats are different from Port and Sherry, how all three generally smell and their characteristics.

Check out Brainscape’s WSET 3 flashcard deck on Fortified Muscats & Other Dessert Wines .

With this final section on fortified wines under your belt, you will have covered all the exam topics in the WSET Level 3 and will finally be ready and prepared to do battle with the beast! The final insight we have left to share with you is how the WSET 3 exam is formatted and what you can expect in terms of questions …

The WSET Level 3 exam consists of two units , both of which need to be passed in order to secure you that prestigious WSET 3 pin!

• Unit 1: The Theory of Wines of the World
• Unit 2: The Analytical Tasting of Wine

Unit 1 (The Theory of Wines of the World) is divided into two sections: one with 50 multiple-choice questions, which assess your knowledge and understanding across the subject. The second section consists of short written/essay questions (there are typically four worth 25 marks each).

Unit 2 (The Analytical Tasting of Wine) of the WSET Level 3 tests your ability to taste and evaluate two blind wines, using the Systematic Approach to Tasting (SAT).

A word of advice on the short answer/essay questions

For essay questions, read the question carefully and then begin by brainstorming a structure (along with all the points you’d like to make) in your response. Once you have a cogent argument and structure in mind, start writing. Have an introduction, middle, and end; be clear and concise in your answer; and make sure you actually answer the question .

Be prepared to answer questions that ask you to contrast two different wine regions that grow the same grape. Make sure you discuss everything from soil, climate, and geography, to fermentation, maturation, price, and market.

Pro Tip: Learn your temperatures in degrees Celsius !

Over the course of your WSET Level 3 studies, you will travel the length and breadth of the vineyard, cellar, industry, and world of wine. And for every minute you spend in awe over some fascinating morsel of information, there will be a day that feels like an endless battle against a crushing tide of facts you need to remember. The WSET Level 3 is a formidable opponent ... but YOU are a formidable wine warrior.

With Brainscape there for you—delivering a steady stream of study in manageable bite-sized portions, in a way that works with (rather than against) your brain’s hardwiring—you can and will take down the beast.

So, arm yourself with our WSET 3 flashcard program and go forth and triumph!

Need a little more advice? Check out Brainscape’s ultimate guide on How to study for the WSET 3 more efficiently .

And when you're ready to take your next step to WSET Diploma , make sure you lean on Brainscape's flashcard collections and study guides for the follow modules:

• Certified Flashcards: WSET Diploma D1 on Wine Productions
• Study Guide: How to pass the WSET 4 D1 exam on Wine Production
• Certified Flashcards: WSET Diploma D3 on Wines of the World
• Study Guide: How to pass the WSET Diploma D3 exam on the Wines of the World
• Certified Flashcards: WSET Diploma D4 on Sparkling Wine
• Study Guide: How to ace the WSET Diploma D4 exam on Sparkling Wine
• Certified Flashcards: WSET Diploma D5 on Fortified Wines
• Study Guide: How to pass the WSET Diploma D5 exam on Fortified Wines

*Disclaimer: Brainscape has worked with top wine experts to supplement the official publications and preparation offered by WSET.

Flashcards for serious learners .

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WSET Level 3 Wines FREE Sample Quiz

1. What does the term "legs" mean when describing wine?

2. It is always desirable for the flavour intensity of the food and wine to be matched:

3. Which wines need to be decanted?

4. What is chlorosis?

5. Which of the Muscat varieties grown in Alsace produce the BEST wines?

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