Thoughts on WSET Levels 1-3?

Wine 101: The Basics
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I think I’m going to do one of the Napa Valley Wine Academy’s specialty courses – either Napa Valley or American Wine – before doing WSET 3. My hope would be that I delay long enough to do WSET 3 in person while also picking up a bit of a specialty niche (one that happens to fit well with where I’m planning to move in the medium term) and then pick up WSET 3 after that. I’m not actually ITB right now - though I have a few ideas, but either way I’d be self employed - so no real rush to get the WSET 3 in terms of “career planning” or anything like that.

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Just wanted to close the loop on my WSET Level 3 experience. After what seemed like forever of waiting (almost 12 weeks), finally got in my scores - Pass with Distinction on both sections. I just wanted to say that although everything was online, I had a great experience with the instructors from the Napa Valley Wine Academy. In fact, I think that I may just go for the Diploma sometime next year.

Now… what champagne should I open tonight? champagne.gif

1 Like
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Congrats, Frank - definitely open something nice (or should I say “outstanding”)!

I finished up my Level 3 class back in October and signed up for an exam just before Thanksgiving…which I ended up canceling due to an ill-timed potential Covid exposure in the family. [swoon.gif] Haven’t rescheduled quite yet, but I’m currently leaning towards February in Santa Barbara.

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Thanks Bret! I ended up opening a 2000 Philipponnat Clos de Goisses!

And I’m sorry to hear about you having to change your test date! Wishing you the best over the holidays and good luck on your exam (the waiting part may just be harder than the test itself!)!

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Hello,

I just took the level 2 test, and I thought it was good experience. With Covid restrictions the course was online, but it was mostly study on your own and and take 50 question multiple test. The course included only two Zoom meetings in a five week course. You would have to register to take the separately, but when you do, you will have the entire year to take your exam.
I hope this was helpful, and I would be happy to answer any questions in that regard, if you would like.

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I took L3 online several years ago. Enjoyed the course overall and thought it was well-done. A lot of home writing exercises, which definitely helped prepare for the writing portions of the test. The remote instructor feedback was helpful. I would have preferred to do the tasting in person in a group, but with business travel online was the better option.

I learned a tremendous amount from WSET III. It was a lot of work and the test was challenging, but the course really helps prepare you for it.

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Let me ask what might be a stupid question but what’s the pros and cons of taking the Certified Specialist of Wine exam verses the WSET ? I’m not currently in the wine business although tinkering with the idea of entering this area of employment when I retire in a few months.

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I’d say CSW and WSET level 3 are somewhat comparable in terms of material they cover. Though the CSW coursework tends to dive a bit deeper into each region and even covers some regions that the WSET does not.

CWS is a self-study program though, so for those that prefer having a teacher to go over some of the material and answer questions that you have, CSW isn’t as conductive to that as WSET.

There’s also the tasting component of WSET, which I think is a useful skill set to nurture and develop if you’re working with wine, but I also think tasting alongside other class mates and having an instructor experienced in tasting to guide you through all of it also has some value.