Meet the Faculty: Matthew Gaughan

Meet the Faculty: Matthew Gaughan

It’s official, Grape Experience is now offering in-person classes in both Boston and San Francisco (check out the website to see upcoming courses and enrollment deadlines). Since it’s been a while since we’ve seen each other face to face, we decided to catch up with a few of Grape Experience’s instructors and reintroduce them to our wine-loving community. First up is WSET Certified Educator Matthew Gaughan, who has helped us kick off our in-person classes.

Rest assured, we are taking every precaution to guarantee the safety and well-being of students and educators. We hope to see you at a class soon; meanwhile, read below to learn more about Matthew:

What brought you into the wine industry?

I’ve always enjoyed drinking wine, but it was more for pleasure until I started asking myself why I liked one wine more than another or what the difference was between Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. So, I took an introductory wine course, then the WSET levels 1 and 2. As I became more and more fascinated by the world of wine, I thought I should my learning to use and got a part-time job at hangingditch wine merchants in Manchester and I’ve never looked back.

What is it that fascinates you about wine?

Wine is a window into so many varied corners of the world: biology, chemistry, geology, history, literature, trade, business, retail. (If wine had been part of our science classes at school I would have done a lot better…). And, of course, wine is social—I’ve met so many amazing people around the world because of wine.

Tell us about your education background. 

I first started teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) in Dublin after I finished my Master’s degree. Then I moved to Madrid to teach there before moving back to the UK to do my PhD in English Literature at York, where I also taught undergraduates. When I moved into the wine industry, it was natural for me to study wine and teach about what I had learned.

Why should students take WSET courses?

Whether you’re in the trade or not, if you have a genuine enthusiasm for wine then WSET courses are clear, concise learning tools to gain knowledge about wine—and you take that knowledge with into your everyday social conversations or into your job. For some people, Level 2 is as much knowledge as they want or need; for others (like me) the WSET can take you further with the all-encompassing Diploma. Another reason to take the courses is that you can meet some awesome people who have lots of stories to tell.

And what do you do when not teaching for Grape Experience?

I’ve started an online wine club called blackpoolmatt’s wine club—Eric Asimov recently featured it the New York Timeswhich was pretty exciting. I bring an educational aspect to the club, with notes on each wine about the people, the place, and the winemaking. There’s also a specific club for wine students, where I send out blind tastings according to which exam they’re taking.

Favorite Grape?

Mourvèdre.

Favorite Region?

Jerez (Sherry – Xérès). Yes, I’m British.

When you’re able to travel again, which is the first region you’ll visit?

Well, the last place I was supposed to visit was Germany so I should resume my travels there.

Desert island wine?

Given it’s a remote, small island, let’s say Madeira!

5 Reasons to Start the WSET Diploma this Summer

5 Reasons to Start the WSET Diploma this Summer

The WSET Diploma Certificate (Level 4) is one of the most recognized and valuable credentials in the wine world.  This challenging two-year program offers people who already have strong wine knowledge, the opportunity to go to an elite level.  The program will be significantly revised in 2019 but if you are thinking about Diploma, now is the time to start (WSET Diploma Online). Here’s why:

  1. Diploma isn’t a static course, but a dynamic set of focused “units” that are constantly updated to reflect today’s trends and issues facing the wine and spirits industry.The changes that go into effect in August 2019 are just a more comprehensive continuation of updates that happen every year to reflect new underlying forces shaping the wine market.
  2. Diploma candidates learn through personal exploration – not through a set textbook. To do well in Diploma students need to follow their own curiosity, explore producer and regional web sites and venture out into the field – be it a winery, distillery or retail business visit. This learning method, with WSET giving students an outline of what they need to know, is what makes Diploma so relevant and fun, and it will continue to be a guiding principal of Diploma for years to come.
  3. The current Diploma program offers candidates a chance to explore the spirits industry alongside wine. In the program that will take effect summer 2019, spirits will be eliminated.  If you want the Diploma in Wine and Spirits you must start this summer.  Conversely, if you want to start this summer but don’t want to take the spirits unit that is a definite option.
  4. Grape Experience has been delivering the current Diploma program for over 12 years – the longest running US provider west of the Mississippi and recognized with an Educator of the Year award. We understand what it takes to succeed in today’s Diploma program and we offer individualized personal coaching backed by hundreds of successful candidates who achieved their Diploma studying with Grape Experience.
  5. Candidates who start Diploma now will be in no way disadvantaged when the revised Diploma in Wine program comes into effect. Anything you pass before August 2019 will be credited towards the new Diploma and there will be no additional requirements added – Diploma has 6 units you need to pass today and there will remain 6 in the future.

WSET Diploma is an exceptional learning opportunity that allows you to interact with people from all over the wine world.  It is a chance to develop superior analytical skills while also making contacts and developing friendships that will last a lifetime.  The knowledge, confidence and personal growth that Diploma offers is invaluable.

Take advantage of starting the program this August.  You can find out more at https://www.grapeexperience.com/wset-diploma-san-francisco/or feel free to contact me, Adam Chase at adamc63@me.comor by calling 415-309-0761.  I would really enjoy discussing the opportunity that lies ahead for you!

2018 The Year To Join A WSET Class!

2018 The Year To Join A WSET Class!

I hear from many people with interest in Grape Experience WSET courses who are unsure where to start or if they want to make the commitment. Those who do take the plunge always feel great about it.  If you are thinking you would like to explore WSET Wine, Sake or Spirits education there is no time better than now!

How to Decide Where to Begin:

WSET courses are broken out by “Levels,” and these terms can be confusing.  Each level has a specific end goal or learning outcome regardless if it is for Wine, Sake or Spirits.  For Wine and Spirits most people have enough knowledge already to skip right to Level 2.  Sake is lesser known and Level 1 may make the most sense.

Level 1: Define and Understand

Level 1 focuses on true beginner knowledge. We answer questions such as:

  • What is wine or sake?
  • What basic styles does it come in – dry, sweet, sparkling, red, white and rosé?
  • What is the best way to serve it – temperature, glassware, food pairings

I often say for the wine courses that if you know that Chardonnay is a white grape that makes white wine that should be served chilled, and that Cabernet Sauvignon is usually a red wine, then it might make more sense to start at Level 2.

For Sake, however, Level 1 can be an easy way to start exploring a beverage category that is growing each day.  We offer Level 1 Sake a few times each year with the next courses starting this winter WSET Sake Class

Level 2: Identify and Describe

Level 2 is where most WSET wine and spirit candidates start.  Courses under Level 2 are also fine as beginner classes but they go into more depth then Level 1.  The goal here is for a student to be able to look at any major wine or spirit bottle and describe what is expected inside without having to taste it – that doesn’t mean that we don’t taste in Level 2 classes – we absolutely do and a great component of Level 2 is to build strong foundational tasting skills.

Students who take Level 2 often tell me that their confidence has skyrocketed when it comes to choosing or talking about wines and spirits.  I think Level 2 provides a smoother, perhaps less risky entry into the WSET system of courses, even for people with already strong wine knowledge.  Our next set of Level 2 courses starts this February:  Wine Courses for Beginners

Level 3: Explain

Level 3 is significantly more challenging than Level 2 and demands more study and participation time from the participant.  Still, the depth of knowledge and tasting ability that comes from a Level 3 course is totally worth the effort.  Level 3 courses do not have prerequisites.

The basic goal of Level 3 courses is for the participant to be able to explain the reasons why a wine or sake looks, tastes, and costs the way/amount it does.  This Level deeply delves into natural and human forces that impact production and quality.  Tasting plays an equal role to the theory here and students will certainly learn to blindly identify through sight, smell and taste how a wine or sake is made and its ultimate quality Level.

Level 4 Diploma: Analyze

Currently WSET only offers a Level 4 course in Wine and Spirits.  This is a two-year program that requires participants first pass the Level 3 Wine course. The goal here is to learn to analyze the natural and human production factors, market trends and new technologies/approaches that are shaping today’s wine and spirit markets.

Participants build skills through first-hand, as well as book investigation into the major global wine and spirits production centers and companies.  The course is incredibly challenging but well worth it!

So, there is no time like the present!  Check out all of the WSET courses we offer and take the plunge!

 

Innovation & Shortlist for WSET 2017 Educator of the Year

Innovation & Shortlist for WSET 2017 Educator of the Year

[slider]Every WSET Certified Educator and Approved Program Provider brings new ideas and methods to the classes they teach.  These approaches often put a unique spin that can make material more relevant to the geographic area and understandable for the student.  Grape Experience over its 12+ year history has implemented ideas have helped students taking WSET courses gain more knowledge, confidence and success.  I am honored that once again WSET has recognized me by shortlisting me for 2017 Educator of the Year.

In 2017, we introduced three major new approaches to enhance our WSET courses:  The Systematic Approach to Theory, an alternate New World Syllabus for Level 3 Wine, and Sake courses in contextual settings.  These adaptions to already great programs will further encourage students to challenge themselves and become more successful.

The Systematic Approach to Theory

Over the years I have found that most students focus their study time on tasting – particularly WSET Level 3 and Diploma candidates.  This “trap” seems logical – many students believe they already know enough theory to pass an exam, and almost everyone I have met lacks some confidence in their tasting ability (even if they are great tasters!).  Also, practicing tasting is fun – you get to drink and often be in a social/fun setting.  The results on exams, however, suggest this is a mistake.  Tasting pass rates are much higher than those for Theory. Often, I hear students leave a theory exam muttering, “I never thought they’d ask…”

The Systematic Approach to Theory that I, along with Grape Experience Educators, developed is a way to focus students on Theory and work it into their daily lives.  It involves two simple components:  Tasting for Theory and Teaching.

Every time a student tastes wine is an opportunity to study Theory.  Yes, we are actually encouraging tasting but in a new way. Whether it is in a restaurant, bar, tasting group or any social setting, a student is encouraged to think theory.  First, where is this wine made and what are the natural factors that impact its style (climate, topography, soils, etc.).  Then, what are the options humans can take to further influence its style (blending, maceration and fermentation techniques, oak, etc.). We suggest a student carry a digital or paper notebook where they can make quick notes as to what they don’t know and need to look up.  This paper trail better focuses a student on the key salient points.

The second element – teaching – helps a student commit to memory what they are learning.  Teaching moments occur every day:

  • When the student is out to dinner or at a bar with friends, pick a wine and explain to friends in detail the natural and human factors that go in to it – again using the notebook to jot down what they can’t remember/don’t know.
  • At work find a wine each day and educate co-workers/customers throughout the day on that wine. Find reasons to build it into conversation.
  • Create themed wine tasting social/practice events and educate friends and colleagues on a wine or region. In most cases the people being taught will be fascinated, while the student gets valuable study opportunity.

We have found that actually speaking out what you are studying better commits knowledge to memory than just writing it down.  In Grape Experience WSET Diploma courses we start every session with a formal Systematic Approach to Theory exercise using real wines.

The New World in Level 3

The Level 3 in Wine that was introduced in late 2016 is perhaps the most innovative, best new WSET course ever.  The course composes 15 sessions of which three cover New World countries.  Students wanted more so we re-worked the syllabus to enable an additional New World session without adding more course hours.  In doing so, we were able to create a different approach to New World geographies.

Grape Experience instructors clustered the major New World regions into like areas:

  • The two largest geographies, both relatively warm but with multiple microclimates – Australia and North America – were split into two sessions one for white and another for red wines.
  • Two smaller cooler climate regions – New Zealand and Chile – were taught together, as were the mostly warmer South Africa and Argentina.

The result is that students can in real time compare and contrast the natural and human factors that impact wine style, while focusing in on specific geographies important to their market. This “local” approach to a great course meets student requests without sacrificing any material.

Sake in Context

The WSET Levels 1 and 3 Sake courses demystify a new category of alcoholic beverages and expose students to the variety of sake production and style options.  We found that, unlike wine or spirits, sake was completely new to most students.  Rather than teach this program in a traditional classroom we brought it to the production and service sources – either teaching it at a Japanese Izakaya/restaurant or a sake brewery.

Sake students now have all around them the elements of production and service.  The material in the course comes alive, as students have opportunities to interact with sake sommeliers and producers and explore on their own concepts in the lectures and written materials.  The results so far have been greater engagement and stronger positive reviews for WSET Sake courses taught by Grape Experience.

I am proud that WSET has recognized all that we are doing to give students the best education opportunities we can.  In 2012, we were given the Educator of the Year Award and this year I was shortlisted for the 2017 Educator of the Year.  This is an honor for me personally but would not have been possible without a terrific team of certified educators behind me, as well as students really engaging in the material WSET offers.  I look forward to continued innovation in the new year ahead.

Building Confidence with WSET Level 1 and WSET Level 2

Building Confidence with WSET Level 1 and WSET Level 2

You’ve decided to start a career in wine. Your excited but nervous and keep asking yourself, “am I really qualified and do I know as much as I need to know to be successful?”

Or maybe you’ve just started getting interested in wine, and your friends seem to know so much more than you. Never fear – the Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET) has a solution that will give you the confidence you need in any situation. The WSET suite of beginner courses are designed to be fun, interactive and, most of all practical.

WSET Level 1

WSET Level 1 is a straightforward one day experience that delivers you the basics on grape varieties, wine styles, service, and matching food and wine. It also provides a primer on how to taste wine to assess quality – no more wondering if you are doing the right things when opening a bottle!

WSET Level 1 gives you hands on experience that literally peels apart a grape to understand how this squishy round fruit is transformed into an elegant beverage. You also experience through trial and error how to correctly pair wine and food flavors. By the end of the day you are armed with the foundational information you need to confidently discuss wine with anyone.

WSET Level 1 is ideal for the person who is just starting to explore the world of wine in their career or their social life. It is also a perfect landing spot for anyone interested in a more structured wine certificate course, but who doesn’t want the commitment of multiple class days.

WSET Level 2

WSET Level 2 is an equally good starting place for a beginner that covers the same information as Level 1 but goes further. You do not need to have taken Level 1 to enroll in Level 2.

WSET Level 2 is a journey into the major grape varietals that are grown around the world. Over eight class segments you learn the basics of what factors impact a wine’s style, quality and price – not just on paper but through actually tasting and assessing over 45 wines.

WSET Level 2 takes you to the original regions for Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling and multiple other grapes. It then shows you how those same vines are transformed when taken to new geographies such as Australia, South Africa or California. Mastering wine labels and decoding terminology is a critical part of the WSET Level 2 course. The result is that you will have the confidence to talk about any major wine, whether you have tasted what is in the bottle or not!

WSET Level 2 is perfect for the complete beginner as well as the person who already has some foundational wine knowledge. If you are beginner this course will give you the tools to move forward with assurance into the world of wine. For the person who already has basic wine knowledge, WSET Level 2 will expand on what you know, fill in any major gaps and set you on a path of more wine enjoyment and authority.

Confidence is the name of the game for both WSET Level 1 and WSET Level 2. Both classes will provide the boost that makes you more self-assured when talking about wine and gives the people around you the sense that you know what you are talking about.

Grape Experience Wine & Spirit School offers WSET Level 1 and WSET Level 2 throughout the year. New Level 2 courses start this month and enrollment details can be found at:

https://www.grapeexperience.com/wine-and-spirit-school/beginner-wine-courses/

Level 1 meets in San Francisco on February 5 and in Boston on April 9 and enrollment details can be found at:

https://www.grapeexperience.com/wine-and-spirit-school/wset-level-1/

WSET Level 2 In Wine & Spirts – The Perfect Beginner Course


One of the most common things I hear from people interested in the WSET program is “I want to take Level 2 but I can’t because I haven’t taken Level 1 yet.”

Let me set the record straight: you do not have to take Level 1 to take Level 2.  In fact, for most people who have some basic wine knowledge I strongly recommend starting with Level 2.

Level 2 is the perfect entry into formal wine study and, as a course, builds a complete foundation for future learning or a confident, successful wine career.  People enter Level 2 with various degrees of knowledge.  Some people may know very little beyond grape names and wine brands – their foundation has a few key “brick” out, but needs to be more formally built.  Other people may know quite a lot about a specific wine or wine region – Napa or Bordeaux for example – but have limited knowledge about other producing areas such Australia, Chile or Germany.  For this person Level 2 fills in the holes and creates a solid wine knowledge structure.

Confidence is the key word to describe the outcome of a successful Level 2 candidate.  The course focuses on creating a strong understanding of the major wine grapes and how they show themselves in regions across the globe.  Level 2 provides a survey of wine styles and levels of quality.  After Level 2, a student can look at any major wine label and identify how that wine should taste, its level of quality and relative price point.  They can speak about, purchase and make recommendations on wine with confidence.

Level 2 also showcases how to taste like a professional. It introduces WSET’s famous Systematic Approach to Tasting, which creates an even playing field to compare and contrast all wines.  During the 8 segments of the Level 2 course over 45 wines are tasted.

Level 2 delivers students enough knowledge to make them savvy wine consumers or assured wine professionals, but not so much as to overwhelm them.  Grape Experience Level 2 classes are interactive and designed to be fun. People work together to figure out how to speak about a wine and creatively convey its attributes.  There are no wrong answers or dumb questions.  Instead, the class is a safe place to formulate new ideas, build better understanding and to network with other people.

The Level 2 course culminates with a one-hour, 50-question multiple choice exam.  The exam tests knowledge learned in a fun, almost game-like way.  I like to say it is sort of like playing “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,” except you can’t phone a friend or ask the audience.  What you can do is usually eliminate two of the four answer options.

So who is Level 2 really for?  The answer is just about everyone. If you are thinking of taking a formal wine course or starting the WSET program than Level 2 is for you.  If you are working in wine but want to enhance your knowledge to be better at your job or grow in your career, Level 2 is the place to start.  If you are thinking about starting a career in wine or want to work in regions outside of the US than Level 2 is what you need to begin that process!

Grape Experience has several options available to join a Level 2 course.  All can be found at https://www.grapeexperience.com/wine-and-spirit-school/beginner-wine-courses/

How to Succeed in Getting the WSET Diploma: Top Tips from People Who Know

How to Succeed in Getting the WSET Diploma: Top Tips from People Who Know

The WSET Level 4 Diploma is one of the most sought after and challenging certifications in the wine industry.  Grape Experience is one of the few select WSET providers in the world who have been given approval to offer the Diploma. The course of study involves passing six sub-courses or “units.”  It is an understatement to say achieving Diploma certification is difficult. It takes maximum effort and knowing the best strategies to approach the enormous amount of material.

Grape Experience has had tremendous success in getting many of our Diploma candidates over the finish line.  We asked those now Diploma holders to share their top study tips.  I have grouped them into five key areas below.  Following their advice is not a guarantee of passing, but if you are thinking of taking on Diploma, incorporating their suggestions will put you in the best position for success.

Tip 1: Form a study group early on in the program

Everyone mentioned a study group as a main key to their success.  Study groups should be not only for tasting, but also for theory.   Just about all Diploma holders admitted theory questions were the most challenging part of the exams.

In person or virtual group meetings should happen every month if not weekly, and as long as two people attend, said one Diploma holder, it is worth getting together.  For theory, Diploma holders suggest each week preparing a topic from a past exam and sharing essays or essay outlines.  This can easily be done virtually with each member of the group submitting their essays/outlines via email or a platform like Dropbox.

Tasting sessions should be used to train the palate and enable you to start to get the key elements of wine styles by region.  They also build confidence and cut the expense of having to buy all of the wines you need to taste on your own.

Tip 2. Utilize DAPS and the Study Support Sections of the WSET Global Campus

Most Diploma holders admitted that the Diploma Assessment Preparation Scheme (DAPS) for Unit 3-6 was frustrating. They love the idea that DAPS gives you real personal examiner feedback on exam questions, but noted the system was hard to navigate and that the feedback can range from very brief to overly harsh.

Still, everyone who commented here believed the frustration was worth it.  “It forced me to practice exam style timed writing,” noted one Diploma holder.  Another person commented that they had a better sense of what examiners looked for even when the feedback was brief. “You are really hurting your chances of passing if you don’t do DAPS,” bluntly stated a third Diploma holder. “Make it happen!”

Along with DAPS, the Study Support materials on the proprietary WSET Diploma web site, The Global Campus, were critical.  One Diploma holder summed up the thoughts of most others, “I went through old exam questions each week and picked one to study.  Then I figured out how much time I’d have on the exam and limited my writing to that amount.  Only when I finished writing did I read what the examiner posted about how students actually did or what they showed as an example of a good answer. “

Some successful Diploma holders used the material on the Global Campus as the basis for a Theory grid for each region: with headings of Grape Variety, Climate, Soil, Viticulture and Winemaking.  Other people made flash cards and either took them with them everywhere or used the Quizlet app to maintain them.

Tip 3: Teach Your Friends and Family

Many Diploma holders said that the more they talked with other people about what they were learning, the more it stuck in their head.  Writing information in a notebook is not as effective at remembering it as when you have to speak it to someone else.  This is likely because you actually have to think about the information you are conveying, respond to questions and organize your thoughts in a way that are not just bullets on a page.

One Diploma holder said that he “bored his partner and friends to death with explaining the techniques for making Hunter Valley Semillon and South African Pinotage.”  In the end though, it definitely helped him cement his knowledge and his audience was rewarded with great free wine tasting opportunities.

Tip 4: Don’t Worry About Getting the Wine Right

Many Diploma holders said they often missed identifying the wines on the exam 100% correct, but still passed.  It is more important to get the components and quality level of the wines right, rather than correctly stating what the variety and origin is.  “The points are in the body of your tasting note – not in getting the wine type spot on,” said one Diploma holder.

Tip 5: Create a Study Schedule and Stick to It

The WSET gives an estimate of the minimum required study hours for each unit. Successful Diploma students said creating a weekly study schedule at the start of undertaking a unit and not diverting from it is critical.  This means that you should block time off each week on your calendar for studying and not change it or make it a low priority. One person suggested “treating it like it is a doctor’s appointment that you can’t miss.  If someone asks you to do something in that time and it was really a doctor’s appointment, you wouldn’t cancel it.”

Inevitably some study time will need to get cancelled for “life” reasons, but make sure that you build in extra contingency study hours and only give up your study time in a real emergency.  At the same time, while you are studying, make sure to keep things in perspective.  This is a course on wine and spirits – things that give people enjoyment – and so you too should find some level of fun in the program

Diploma is truly a rewarding experience.  You meet other people, build your wine and spirit knowledge to an incredibly strong depth and, if successful, get one of the most respected certificates in the industry.  It is also a prerequisite for the Masters of Wine program.

To begin Diploma you must first pass the WSET Level 3 Certificate in Wine.  The next Diploma and Level 3 Certificate courses start at the beginning of August.  For more information go to:

https://www.grapeexperience.com/wine-and-spirit-school/beginner-wine-courses/

The All New WSET Level 3 Certificate in Wine

The All New WSET Level 3 Certificate in Wine

This August, WSET will launch an all new Level 3 Certificate in Wine, and Grape Experience Wine & Spirit School will be among the first providers to implement the new course.  The new Level 3 is the most dramatic and best revision of this sought after qualification I have ever seen in my 20 years as a student and WSET provider.

Everything about Level 3 is new: the course program, textbook, exam, and even the suggested teaching method.  Gone are the days of the old WSET Advanced Certificate with its black and white books and formal lectures.  The new Level 3 is more relevant, interactive and designed to allow students to immediately put in place what they learn into their daily lives and work.

WSET Courses

The new Level 3 utilizes the Socratic approach to teaching – a method familiar to people who have attended business or law school.  It is one of my favorite components of this new WSET course.  This approach focuses on giving students questions, not answers, to foster critical thinking. Team engagement and debate drives learning.  Teachers will guide students through material but the onus will be on each class member to explain thoughts, ideas and apply their own knowledge.

Utilizing the Socratic method may scare some WSET providers.  Instead, they may just use the old Level 3 lecture approach and session plans to teach the new course.  I believe this would be selling our students and the program short.  Grape Experience has spent time and resources to attend in person WSET training programs on the new Level 3 and to teach our teachers how to best deliver the new material.

My goal as a provider has always been to put the highest quality course forward, even if it means we make less profit margin. I know first-hand the power a great WSET course has on a student’s enthusiasm and ability to use information learned.  I had that feeling in every WSET course I ever took and I want people who enroll in a Grape Experience WSET course to feel it as well.

The new Level 3 course program spends considerably more time on the natural and human forces at work in the vineyard and winery.  It then drills down at how they manifest themselves in similar wines styles and terroirs.  For example, white, lesser aromatic wines of Burgundy are studied with similar styles from the Loire and Bordeaux.  Rich Mediterranean red wines are also studied together.  The old region by region approach is not lost, it is just reformulated to make more sense and to have more applicable across the board relevance for students.

Support materials for the course have also improved.  There are now 13 short films that students watch online to review the basics of regions.  The text book is more clear, up to date and has considerably more information on viticulture and winemaking.  The study guide is larger and contains some of the best and most useful wine maps I have ever seen.

The exam format remains relatively unchanged but with greater onus on the student to explain and apply key production and style drivers.  The tasting component no longer requires students to identify a specific wine and price, but rather focuses on the style of the wine.  I believe preparing for this exam will help make those students who want to go on to Diploma more successful.

Grape Experience is excited to launch the new Level 3 starting August 8 in Napa and August 9 in San Francisco.  Boston will begin on September 26.  Classes will meet one night a week for 16 weeks.  We feel this format gives students more time to live with and learn the material – rather than cramming the course into 4 weekend days.  It also makes preparing for class participation more focused and less daunting.

If you have never taken WSET Level 3 now is the perfect time.  If you already have the certificate I hope you will encourage your friends and colleagues to take the course.  Information can be found at:

https://www.grapeexperience.com/wine-and-spirit-school/wset-diploma-program/

The people at WSET who spent so much heart, soul and time working to build the new Level 3 deserve credit and appreciation.  Your efforts show in a job well done!