For many wine students, progressing from the WSET Level 2 Award in Wines to Level 3 marks a change in how they engage with wine. The regional knowledge, grape varieties and tasting skills developed at earlier levels begin to align, allowing students to see clearer links between vineyard conditions, winemaking choices and the style of wine in the glass.
The WSET Level 3 Award in Wines is designed to build on this foundation, supporting those moments when you want to move beyond recognising a wine’s style or origin to explaining why it tastes the way it does, whether you are comparing wines side by side, justifying a difference in quality or price or trying to make sense of a wine that does not quite behave as you expected.
Why progress to the Level 3 Award in Wines?
Moving from recognition to explanation
At earlier levels, wine study often focuses on identifying grape varieties, styles and regions. At Level 3, the emphasis shifts to explanation.
For example, instead of recognising that a wine is a cool-climate Pinot Noir, Level 3 trains you to explain why it shows high acidity and delicate red fruit, how site selection and canopy management influence ripeness and what winemaking choices reinforce that style.
In an exam setting, this means answering questions with clarity and logic. In real life, it might mean confidently explaining to a customer why two Pinot Noirs at very different price points taste the way they do.
“This was one of the most challenging exams I’ve taken in years, and the jump from Level 2 to Level 3 was significant. What initially felt like a manageable next step quickly revealed the depth and complexity of viticulture, winemaking, appellations, climate classifications, and the many factors that distinguish good wine from exceptional wine.”
- Anthony, wine enthusiast, North America
A framework you can use anywhere
One of the most valuable outcomes of Level 3 is learning how to approach wine methodically.
Imagine tasting a wine blind. Rather than jumping to conclusions, you work through colour, aromas, structure and balance, building a reasoned picture of quality and readiness to drink. This structured approach applies just as well in a tasting exam as it does when assessing a new listing for a wine list or retail shelf.
The same framework helps when answering questions. If someone asks why a wine from one region tastes riper or fuller than another, Level 3 gives you the tools to link climate, grape growing and winemaking decisions into a clear explanation.
“Although I had already been working in the wine industry for several years, WSET Level 3 gave me something invaluable: confidence. Confidence in my understanding of wine, in using professional terminology, and in sharing knowledge with others.”
- Ana, wine professional, Poland
Breadth with purpose
The WSET Level 3 Award in Wines covers a wide range of wine styles and regions, including still, sparkling and fortified wines. The real value lies in how that knowledge is organised.
Rather than learning regions in isolation, students are encouraged to compare them. For example, when studying sparkling wines, you might compare how climate, grape varieties and production choices differ between traditional method wines from Champagne and other regions. With fortified wines, you learn why styles such as Sherry, Port and Madeira develop such distinctive characters based on production and maturation choices.
This comparative approach allows students to build on their existing knowledge, developing a more connected and confident view of the world of wine.
“WSET Level 3 helped me understand both the big picture and the incredible diversity within wine. It reinforced how complex and endlessly fascinating the subject really is.”
- Floriane, wine enthusiast, France
What the Level 3 Award in Wines is designed to give you
The WSET Level 3 Award in Wines qualification is designed to develop a thorough understanding of the factors that influence the style, quality and price of the world’s principal wines.
In practice, this means learning to evaluate wines in context. For example, when considering a wine’s price point, you are trained to think about yield, vineyard location, winemaking choices, maturation costs and market positioning, not just what is in the glass.
You also learn to apply this understanding in practical situations. This could be explaining a wine style to a customer, advising on food and wine pairing, selecting wines for a list, or confidently answering questions in a professional setting.
This emphasis on application and explanation is what distinguishes Level 3 from earlier study and underpins its reputation as a respected benchmark in wine education.
“Not only does the Level 3 Award in Wines make me marketable in a competitive industry, but it truly provided me with in-depth knowledge that makes me appreciate the industry. It enables me to share my knowledge with others, helping them to make informed decisions.”
- Nichelle, wedding planner, The Caribbean
Confidence that carries forward
Many students find that Level 3 changes how they interact with wine day to day. Reading a back label becomes more meaningful. Wine lists feel easier to navigate. Tasting notes become clearer and more precise. Conversations with customers become seamless.
When faced with an unfamiliar wine region or grape variety, Level 3 graduates are equipped to reason their way through it, using climate, production methods and structure as guides rather than relying on guesswork.
“Level 3 helped me stay curious, build confidence, and develop new ways of thinking. The real value lies in the process, not just the qualification.”
- Stefan, wine enthusiast, South Africa
A recognised benchmark in wine education
The WSET Level 3 Award in Wines is widely recognised across the global drinks industry. For professionals, it supports credibility and confidence in roles that involve buying, selling, marketing or teaching wine. For enthusiasts, it represents a clear milestone in wine education.
Some students go on to further study, while others treat Level 3 as a standalone achievement, a point at which they feel capable of engaging with wine knowledge independently and with assurance.
“Since completing Level 3, I’ve found it easier to connect with others in the wine community and to take part in tastings and educational events with confidence.”
- Cyril, wine enthusiast, France
So is the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines the right next step for you?
If you enjoy understanding how and why things work, like applying knowledge in real situations, and want a structured way to make sense of the world of wine, the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines offers a rewarding progression.
You may also find it helpful to explore our wider Level 3 study content, including guidance on how to approach the WSET Level 3 tasting exam and reflections on whether you are ready for the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines. Together, these resources are designed to support students at different stages of the Level 3 journey, from decision-making through to exam preparation.
For full details of the qualification, including what you will study and how the course is delivered, you can also explore the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines course page and find a course provider near you.
