• Wine Educate: WSET Award in Wines, Education Resources and Certifications. Study tips and practical advice for wine Enthusiasts and Professionals. Wine Tasting Techniques, Food Pairing Tips, Wine Educ

  • By: Joanne Close
  • Podcast

Wine Educate: WSET Award in Wines, Education Resources and Certifications. Study tips and practical advice for wine Enthusiasts and Professionals. Wine Tasting Techniques, Food Pairing Tips, Wine Educ

By: Joanne Close
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  • Summary

  • Welcome to the Wine Educate Podcast, your ultimate guide to mastering wine through the lens of WSET wine courses and certifications. Whether you’re a beginner exploring WSET Level 1 or preparing for the rigorous WSET Level 3 exam, this podcast is packed with insights tailored for every stage of your wine education journey. Learn wine tasting techniques using the Systematic Approach to Tasting (SAT), discover expert strategies for excelling in WSET essay practice, and dive into topics like food and wine pairing and career pathways in the wine industry. With episodes on professional wine education, tips for online wine classes, and behind-the-scenes stories from WSET exam preparation, we’ll help you turn your passion for wine into expertise. Whether you’re pursuing wine certification for personal growth or advancing your career as a sommelier or educator, the Wine Educate Podcast is here to guide you—one glass at a time. Subscribe now to gain the confidence to ace your WSET courses and elevate your appreciation of wine! This podcast is for you if you are asking questions such as: How do I study for WSET classes? How do I pass WSET Level 3? How do I pass WSET Theory? How do I pass WSET Tasting? How can I take WSET Level 1 course online? Where can I take WSET Level 1 course online? Where can I take WSET Level 2 course online? Where can I take WSET Level 3 course online? What are the WSET Level 2 study materials? How can I prepare for the WSET Level 3 exam? What wine certification programs are available? What are the best wine education podcasts? Where are wine tasting courses near me? How can I take an online wine education class? What are Wine and Spirit Education Trust certifications? How can I become a certified sommelier? What is a wine appreciation course? What wine education is for beginners? What are advanced wine studies? Can I study wine abroad? Can I study WSET in France? Can I study WSET in Europe? What are the top wine regions to visit? How can I find wine tasting tours? What are some WSET exam tips? What are some wine industry certifications? What are professional wine qualifications? What are some wine courses for enthusiasts? What is the WSET diploma program? What are the benefits of obtaining a WSET Level 1 certification? How can I prepare for the WSET Level 2 exam? What topics are covered in the WSET Level 3 course? Are there online courses available for WSET certifications? What is the difference between WSET and sommelier certifications? How long does it take to complete WSET Level 1? What are the costs associated with WSET Level 2 courses? Can I take WSET exams online? What career opportunities are available with a WSET Level 3 certification? How do I find WSET-approved course providers near me? What study materials are recommended for WSET Level 2? Are there practice exams available for WSET Level 3? What is the pass rate for WSET Level 2 exams? How does WSET certification benefit wine professionals? What are the prerequisites for enrolling in WSET Level 3? Can I retake the WSET exam if I don't pass on the first attempt? What is the format of the WSET Level 1 exam? Are there scholarships available for WSET courses? How does WSET certification compare to other wine education programs? What are the best resources for WSET Level 3 exam preparation? How many wines do you taste in WSET Level 2? Is WSET Level 3 difficult? What jobs can I get with a WSET certification? What is the difference between WSET and CMS (Court of Master Sommeliers)? How can I memorize wine regions for the WSET exam? Do I need WSET Level 1 before taking Level 2? What’s the difference between WSET Level 2 and Level 3? How does blind tasting work in WSET exams? Is WSET certification worth it? What are the hardest parts of the WSET Level 3 exam? Can you skip WSET Level 1 and go straight to Level 2? What are the key sparkling wine styles covered in WSET Level 3? How do I apply the BLIC (Balance, Length, Intensity, Complexity) method? What are the key wine regions I need to know for WSET Level 3? How does soil type affect wine for WSET exams? What are the essential fortified wines to know for WSET Level 3? How do I prepare for the WSET Level 3 short-answer questions? What is BLIC in wine tasting, and how is it used in WSET? What’s the best way to practice multiple-choice questions for WSET? What’s the best way to take notes during a WSET wine tasting? What wines should I blind taste for WSET Level 3? How do I taste wine like a professional? What’s the difference between young and mature wines? How do I recognize wine faults like cork taint or oxidation? Why do some wines taste buttery? What’s the best way to aerate a wine before drinking? How do I know if a wine is corked? How do tannins in wine interact with food? What wines pair best with soft cheeses? How does sweetness in wine affect food pairings? How do I pair wine with vegetarian dishes? What’s the best way to store wine at home? What is the ...
    2024
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Art Food & Wine
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Episodes
  • 34. Top 5 Tasting Mistakes on the WSET Level 3 Exam

    34. Top 5 Tasting Mistakes on the WSET Level 3 Exam
    Apr 17 2025
    Resources & Links

    • Join the Wine Educate Newsletter for weekly study tips and course updates

    • Learn more about Launchpad: Level 3 Prep Course

    • Check out upcoming trips and classes www.wineeducate.com

    Episode Summary

    In this episode, Joanne tackles one of the most stressful parts of the WSET Level 3 exam: the tasting portion. As someone who has graded many exams, she walks through the five most common mistakes students make when writing their tasting notes—and explains how to avoid them.

    This episode is packed with clear, practical advice to help students approach the tasting exam with structure and confidence.

    In This Episode

    • Why the tasting section feels intimidating, and why you shouldn’t panic

    • The importance of using specific SAT vocabulary—no wine poetry

    • Why guessing the wine and building your note around it can lead to failure

    • The difference between aromas and flavors, and why you must list both

    • Why omitting key words like “lemon” or “dry” can cost you

    • The mistake of using “medium plus” for alcohol and how to get that point back

    • Why memorizing the SAT order is crucial (you can’t use the card during the exam)

    • The value of creating your own “anagram” to structure your note under pressure

    • A reminder that calibration matters—know your instructor’s tasting style

    Next Week

    We’ll move on to the theory portion of the WSET Level 3 exam and discuss the top five most common mistakes students make in their written answers.
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    9 mins
  • 33. Do Study Pods Really Help? Group Learning in WSET Level 3

    33. Do Study Pods Really Help? Group Learning in WSET Level 3
    Apr 15 2025
    Resources & Links

    • Learn more about the Launchpad: Level 3 Prep Course

    • Join the Wine Educate Newsletter for weekly tips & updates
    Episode Summary

    In this episode, Joanne explores one of the most effective tools for success in WSET Level 3: the study group.

    If you're on the fence about joining or starting a study pod, this episode covers the research, real-world results, and how to make it work for you. Topics include:

    • Why collaborative learning can significantly improve retention and exam scores

    • A real-life example where 100% of a study group passed the exam

    • The science behind peer teaching and active learning

    • Accountability and how group structure reduces procrastination

    • Tips to set up a focused, well-run group—without wasting your time

    • Why disorganized pods fail, and how to avoid common pitfalls

    Joanne also shares how the Launchpad: Level 3 Prep Course includes built-in support for connecting with others—whether you're attending in-person or online.

    Email Joanne@wineeducate.com with any questions about the course.

    What’s Coming Next

    In the next two episodes, Joanne will break down the top 5 most common (and preventable) mistakes students make in both the theory and tasting portions of the WSET Level 3 exam. Stay tuned!
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    8 mins
  • 32. The Long Runway – Why Early Preparation Leads to Level 3 Success

    32. The Long Runway – Why Early Preparation Leads to Level 3 Success
    Apr 10 2025

    Resources & Links:

    • Launchpad: Level 3 Prep Course
    • Sign up for the Wine Educate Newsletter

    How to Contact Us:
    Email: joanne@wineeducate.com
    Website: www.wineeducate.com
    Instagram: @wineeducate

    Episode Summary:
    In this episode, Joanne breaks down one of the biggest predictors of success in WSET Level 3: early preparation. While Levels 1 and 2 can be approached with minimal advance study, Level 3 is a different story. Joanne shares how giving yourself a longer runway—starting prep weeks or even months before class—can transform your experience and lead to both success and enjoyment in the course.

    What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

    • Why early starters tend to outperform more experienced peers

    • The common mistake of waiting until the course begins to start studying

    • How underpreparing affects your ability to engage and retain information

    • The benefits of building small, consistent study habits over time

    • A recommended timeline for revisiting Level 2 material and reading the Level 3 textbook

    • How the Launchpad: Level 3 Prep Course can help you build a custom plan

    • Why Level 3 is entirely passable—with the right tools in place from the start

    Next Episode:
    Tune in for Episode 33, where we’ll explore the importance of study pods—what they are, how to find one, and why they’re so helpful during Level 3.

    Subscribe & Stay Connected:
    Never miss an episode—subscribe to the Wine Educate Podcast and follow Joanne on Instagram @wineeducate for weekly study tips, class updates, and more.
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    10 mins
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