Level 3 Advanced Certificate in Wines and Spirits

This program is designed to build upon the elements learned in the Intermediate program. The course features detailed discussion about the classic wine regions of France and Italy. The factors that affect the character and quality of the wines are explored with specific classes on viticultural and vinification techniques. The service of wine is covered from both a professional and non-professional perspective, as are the principles of food and wine matching. Also, detailed discussion about the classic regions and wines of the world not including specific lectures on production and types of spirits, sparkling, fortified and aromatized wines. The key factors that affect the character and quality of the wines will be explored.

Each class is enhanced with a tasting that includes the benchmark wines discussed in the lecture. This program is offered in conjunction with the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET). Students will write the Level 3 WSET exam at the end of the course.

Curriculum

Course Length: 20 weeks

Contact Hours: 60

Course Competencies:
This course is designed to give the student upon successful completion:

• A thorough understanding of the principal wines and spirits of the world and their commercial importance in the world’s market.
• The in depth product knowledge required to underpin job skills required for product selection in the hospitality and retail sectors.
• The ability to describe the characteristics of the principal wines and give information on the key factors influencing style, quality and value.
• Ability to apply the principles of food and wine matching to the key styles of wine available.
• Ability to use the WSET Systematic Approach to Tasting to produce tasting notes that will allow the identification of style, quality and price band of wines and spirits.
• Knowledge to provide advice on the correct storage and service of wine and spirits.

Recommended Course Prerequisites: Intermediate Certificate in Wine and Spirits or equivalent.

Textbooks: WSET Advanced Textbook

Material and Supplies: 12 ISO Tasting glasses, tasting sheets, pen, pencils, and paper.

Student Evaluation: The final examination is The Wine and Spirit Education Trust Advanced Certificate and consists of 50 multiple choice questions; 4 short written answers and a blind tasting of one wine.

Weekly Outline:

Week 1 – Factors Affecting Wine Style & Quality (Part 1)

• The effect of climate, soil, annual weather & topography
• Understanding viticulture
• Tasting & evaluating wine

Week 2 – Factors Affecting Wine Style & Quality (Part 2)

• The effect winemaking & maturation techniques
• Factors affecting cost
• Wine tasting technique

Week 3 – Advanced Food and Wine Pairing

• The principles of food & wine combination
• Practical tasting exercise with classic food and wine pairings
• Discussion on tasting exercise

Week 4 – French Wine Law / Bordeaux

• Introduction to French appellation law
• Understanding the wines of Bordeaux
• Food & wine
• Market dynamics
• Tasting of key wines

Week 5 – Burgundy

• Understanding the wines of Burgundy
• Food & wine
• Market dynamics
• Tasting of key wines

Week 6 – Loire Valley

• Understanding the wines of the Loire Valley
• Food & wine
• Market dynamics
• Tasting of key wines

Week 7 – Rhône Valley

• Understanding the wines of the Rhône Valley
• Food & wine
• Market dynamics
• Tasting of key wines

Week 8 – Alsace / Southern & South-West France

• Understanding the wines of the Alsace, Southern & South-West France
• Food & wine
• Market dynamics
• Tasting of key wines

Week 9 – Northern Italy

• Italian wine law & labelling terms
• Understanding the wines of Northern Italy
• Food & wine
• Market dynamics
• Tasting of key wines

Week 10 – Central & Southern Italy

• Understanding the wines of the Central & Southern Italy
• Food & wine
• Market dynamics
• Tasting of key wines

Week 11 – Germany

• German wine law
• Understanding the wines of Germany
• Food & wine
• Market dynamics
• Tasting of key wines

Week 12 – Iberian Peninsula

• Spanish & Portuguese wine law
• Understanding the wines of Spain & Portugal
• Food & wine
• Market dynamics
• Tasting of key wines

Week 13 – Central & South-Eastern Europe

• Central & South-Eastern Europe wine law
• Understanding the wines Central & South-Eastern Europe
• Food & wine
• Market dynamics
• Tasting of key wines

Week 14 – Australia and South Africa

• Australian & South African wine law
• Understanding the wines of Australia, South Africa & New Zealand 
• Food & wine
• Market dynamics
• Tasting of key wines

Week 15 – The America’s

• US & South American wine law
• Understanding the wines of the US & South America 
• Food & wine
• Market dynamics
• Tasting of key wines

Week 16 – Canada

• The VQA and Canadian Wine Law
• Understanding the wines of Canada 
• Food & wine
• Market dynamics
• Tasting of key wines

Week 17 – Champagne & Other Sparkling Wines

• Methods of sparkling wine production
• The major European sparkling wine styles
• Other sparkling wines
• Food & wine
• Market dynamics
• Tasting of key wines

Week 18 – Fortified Wines

• Methods of fortified wine production
• The major European fortified wines
• Other fortified wines
• Food & wine
• Market dynamics
• Tasting of key wines

Week 19 – Spirits & Liqueurs

• Principles of distillation
• Methods of spirit production
• The major spirit & liqueur styles
• Service of spirits & liqueurs
• Market dynamics
• Tasting of key spirits

Week  20 – Final WSET Examination