WSET® Award in Wines · Luxembourg City
WSET® Level 3 Award in Wines
Become a confident authority on wine. Over six days, taste 75+ wines and learn to explain not just what a wine is, but why — tasting analytically with the Level 3 SAT. Taught in English by a Master of Wine student and WSET Diploma award winner.
Register your interest — new dates soonUpcoming dates
| Dates | New dates coming soon — register your interest below |
| Language | English |
| Location | Hotel Parc Belair, Luxembourg City |
The WSET® Level 3 Award in Wines is where you become a confident authority on wine. Over six days in central Luxembourg City, you'll taste more than 75 wines and learn to explain not just what a wine is, but why it tastes the way it does — how climate, grape growing, winemaking and maturation drive style, quality and price across the world's wine regions. You'll master the Level 3 SAT, tasting analytically and drawing confident conclusions on quality and readiness for drinking. Recommended for those who have completed Level 2 or have equivalent knowledge.
Advanced — Level 2 recommended
Six days, in person
75+ wines
English
What's included
- Official WSET course materials
- A guided tasting of 75+ wines, including premium and benchmark examples
- Around 30 hours of tuition over six days with a Master of Wine student and WSET Diploma award winner
- A mock exam, with personalised written feedback to sharpen your exam technique
- Your first exam sitting (Unit 1 theory and Unit 2 tasting)
On passing both units, you'll receive a globally recognised certificate from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET).
What you'll learn
- The natural and human factors in the vineyard and winery that drive the style, quality and price of the world's principal still wines
- The world's key wine regions in depth, and the styles they produce
- How sparkling and fortified wines are made, and their major styles
- How to taste analytically and draw sound conclusions on quality and readiness for drinking using the Level 3 SAT
- The principles of food and wine pairing at an advanced level
The exam
The Level 3 exam has two units, and you must pass both with a minimum of 55%:
Unit 1 — Theory: a two-hour closed-book paper of multiple-choice questions plus four short-written-answer questions.
Unit 2 — Tasting: a blind tasting of two wines (one white, one red) using the Level 3 SAT, describing the wines and drawing conclusions on quality and readiness for drinking.
Grade bands: Pass 55–64, Merit 65–79, Distinction 80+. Your first sitting of both units is included, and the Level 3 exam is sat in person in Luxembourg.
Booking conditions
- Students must be at least 16. Level 3 requires prior completion of Level 2 or equivalent knowledge — if you have not completed Level 2 or don't yet have a WSET candidate number, please contact us before booking.
- Places are confirmed once payment is received; to pay by bank transfer, email jess@philosophyofwine.com.
- Cancel or transfer up to 10 working days before for a €25 admin fee plus the cost of any materials supplied. Within 10 working days, or once the course has started, no refund or transfer (we will already have registered you with WSET).
- Resit fees if needed: Theory unit €125, Tasting unit €60, both units €165. Full terms in our Refund Policy and Terms & Conditions.
More from the Journal
Frequently asked questions
How hard is Level 3, honestly?
It's a proper step up. Level 3 asks you not just to know facts but to explain why — why this wine tastes this way, why it's this quality. There's a written exam (short answers, not just multiple choice) plus a blind tasting exam. With the study plan and tasting practice we do in class, it's very achievable — but budget serious study time.
How much home study do I need?
WSET recommends around 50–60 hours in addition to class time. Spread over the course period, that's a few evenings a week. The textbook goes in the post the day you book, so you can start early.
When are the next dates?
New dates are being finalised now. Register your interest and tell me which format suits you — weekday, weekend, condensed (consecutive days) or spread out over several weeks — and you'll be first to hear, with priority booking before dates go public.
What's the blind tasting exam like?
Two wines, tasted blind, assessed in writing using the Systematic Approach to Tasting. It sounds terrifying; it's actually the most fun part to train for. We practise it in every session. The blind tasting statistically has a higher pass rate than the short written answers, so it's nothing to fear.
Do I need Level 2 first?
Formally no, but honestly: yes, unless you have solid trade experience. The exam assumes Level 2 knowledge and the pace is brisk.
What if I fail one part?
Theory and tasting are assessed separately — if you pass one and not the other, you only resit the part you missed.
What if I need to cancel or move to another date?
Just email me with your order number and I'll help. Cancellations and transfers — to another date or another person — are accepted up to 10 working days before the start, for a €25 admin fee plus the cost of any study materials already sent; the balance is refunded. Within 10 working days of the start, or once the course has begun, I can't offer a refund or transfer, as the WSET registration and materials costs are already incurred (WSET registration and exam fees are non-refundable). And if I ever have to reschedule or cancel a course myself — for example if it doesn't reach minimum numbers — I'll tell you at least 10 working days ahead and refund you in full if none of the alternatives work.