by Adam Chase | Aug 15, 2024
Wine educators often get the question, “how can I learn to taste wine.” In most cases the person asking is interested in developing the skill to evaluate what is in a wine glass and how wines differ. I quality and taste. For multiple reasons, over time this type of wine tasting has become somewhat intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. After all, wine is meant for enjoyment and developing tasting abilities should be approachable and fun!
Learning to taste wine in a structured way has multiple benefits. It helps you define what and what not you like about wines – so picking a future wine is much easier. It also allows you to describe wines to others in a way that is understandable and hits the liquid’s key characteristics. All these skills lead you to develop greater confidence either as a wine professional or a consumer.
The first step in learning to taste wine is to do what professionals do and create a simple system that breaks down the key elements of a glass: Appearance, Smell or “Nose,” and Taste or “Palate.” The Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) calls this its systematic approach to tasting and it is part of every WSET course. Let’s take a closer look at each element.
Appearance
What does the wine look like in the glass? Is it lemon or gold color or is it ruby red, pink or brick color? How intense is the color and does the wine leave residue dripping down the side of the glass when you swirl it? By creating a little more description beyond Red, White or Rosé we can start to consider how the wine was made, the grape varieties used and even the potential age. Appearance gives clues to what the wine may be, but to find out exactly we need to go further and look at the nose and palate.
Nose
What does the wine smell like? Is it overly fruity and perfumed or might it be savory and smokey? How strong are the aromas and what might you call what you are smelling – apple, grape, cherry, smoke, etc.? It is helpful to have a list of potential aromas and flavors. WSET has its own lexicon of characteristics that I like to call, in a good way, a “cheat sheet” in that it gets you started in thinking about what you smell. You can also find aroma lists online.
Palate
When you take a sip of the wine and roll it around your mouth does it have any noticeable sweetness, or does it seem unsweetened or “dry?” Is your mouth watering under your tongue and if so by how much? For red wines is it smooth or textural and does that texture create a drying effect on your cheeks? What about the weight of the wine in your mouth – is it light, heavy or somewhere in between (this is the wine’s body)? Now again, think about the flavors you taste as you did with the aromas you smelled. Ask yourself what flavors stand out and how long do I continue to taste them after the wine has left my mouth – this is called the “finish” or “length” of the wine.
You can learn to taste on you own just by following my questions above, but it is much more fun (although sometimes a bit intimidating) and comprehensive to learn and improve tasting technique in a more formal class where a teacher can lead you and you can compare notes. Every WSET course we offer – even the online ones – has a tasting component. Our teachers are there to help you build confidence. There are no wrong answers – just a discussion that is geared to steer you in the right direction. The skills you learn grow with each new wine you taste and contribute to your overall life enjoyment.
by Adam Chase | Aug 8, 2024
The last few years have seen an incredible rise in the number of people taking the WSET Level 2 Certificate in Wine. At the same time, many of these new students are reluctant to continue to Level 3. I hear things like the like Level 3 difficulty and time commitment are just too great. I get it, but I think if you are in this reluctant group, you are missing a huge opportunity.
Level 3 in Wine is one of the most respected and valuable certificates in the world. Where Level 2 gives you an understanding of what is in any bottle of wine, Level 3 provides the why and the who. You get a connection to each major wine producing region right down to the vineyard level in some cases. Just by taking the course you gain depth, knowledge and confidence to talk wine as easily with friends as with seasoned wine professionals and winemakers. In fact, you become “seasoned” in a way that is just not possible with Level 2.
Over the years we have asked people who completed the Level 3 course what beyond basic knowledge that they gained. Two words consistently emerged: “access” and “confidence”
- Level 3 gives you access to vineyards, wineries and winemakers who immediately recognize that you understand wine and can provide perspective and influence others
- When you travel to a wine region, contacting a local winery and telling them you are a WSET Level 3 Certificate holder often opens doors to exclusive visits and access
- You become an integral leader and participant in your local wine community through people you meet in the course and through unique opportunities that are only available to people with a connection to the local wine scene
- Your depth of knowledge gives you confidence to have deep conversations with other wine lovers and professionals that just is not possible with Level 2
- The WSET Level 3 Certificate can open doors to wine-related job opportunities because people hiring know you have a depth of knowledge others may lack. This opens opportunities to start a career as a Sommelier
- If you are already in the wine industry the knowledge that Level 3 gives you makes you more effective with customers, enabling you to sell more and to gain loyalty.
So, if you have thought about taking WSET Level 3 in Wine what is stopping you? Let me know and perhaps we can come up with a solution. In the meantime, I encourage you to take Level 3. We have a course starting September 8: LEVEL 3 – San Francisco – Sundays
You can see more about all our WSET Level 3 courses here.
by Adam Chase | Jul 22, 2024
Over the past decade the demand for Online wine courses has dramatically increased. The COVID pandemic only accelerated both this demand, as well as the quality of online materials. The main issue has always been how to handle the tasting element, but at Grape Experience this is not an issue at all. We have solved the tasting issue! We now have a suite of courses that give students flexibility to combine both online and in person WSET wine courses even if they never go to a classroom – although even our in-person courses now have Online component options.
In Person Courses with Online Support
All Grape Experience in person courses now come with an exclusive and unique Online Classroom component. A student can attend a course session and then review it through our Online Classroom where educators talk directly to the viewer. This isn’t a grainy, hard to hear video. Rather it is a customized review of material with hints about what is important for the exam. If a student misses a session, they have the chance to review what was covered at a time that is convenient for them. We are distinctive among wine schools in offering what has become a game changing service!
Online Courses with Live Web Sessions and Tasting Kits
For a student who lives too far from a classroom or can’t make the schedule of our WSET Level 1, 2 and 3 Wine courses we have a new option. An Online course that can be done at the student’s own pace and schedule. These courses also have live webinars where students can meet each other and engage directly with the teacher. If they miss a webinar, no worries, we record them, and they can be viewed at the student’s convenience. The course teacher is always available for questions at any time.
We provide a tasting kit for all students in these Online classes so they can experience many of the same wines they would get in an in-person course. The kits are used during the live session so that students can check their palates against other students and the teacher – whether they choose to do that live or at a time of their choosing.
There has never been a better time to take a WSET wine course. We have made the program customizable to anyone through technology. Our 20-year track record of focusing on the student is evident not just in the technological advancements but in our availability to be available in real time should the student ever have questions. You can see more at either Beginner Wine Courses or Advanced Certificate in Wine
We hope you can join us in a journey to become a sommelier, wine expert or just increase your knowledge of this incredible product!
by Adam Chase | May 23, 2024
The statistics on US and global wine sales are at best mixed. It appears consumers are drinking less wine – although the wines they do drink are higher quality and higher prices. The new generations that have come of legal drinking age in the last 10 years – Millennials and the older portion of Gen Z – look at all alcohol with an eye to its detriment to health. When they do choose alcoholic beverages, they often tend to be ready-to-drink cocktails and hard seltzers.
If you are looking to enter the wine industry the trends described above may give you, as well as potential employers pause. You may be thinking “will there be openings in the industry for me?” While potential employers may be skittish on adding staff. Still, there are things you can do to maximize your chances at being hired.
First, think about what you do well and like to do. Do you enjoy selling customers on wine? If you enjoy customer service and talking to people about wine, you might want to consider a retail sales job. Start by identifying wine shops in your area which you like, have strong reputations and often seem busy, particularly on weekends. Go in and talk to staff there. Ask them what it is like to work there, what owners look for in hiring and whether there is any part- or full-time opportunities.
Try to get a name and contact for the shop owner /manager. If they are not there when you make your first contact, then contact them and ask for opportunity to have an informational interview with them. Ask them how they got into the industry and what they would recommend for you. If you have a good feeling about them, ask if there are any even part time needs and be prepared to start at the bottom and work unpopular hours. If you do enough of these interviews you are bound to land some part time work.
If you are more into winemaking you need to research the vineyards in your area. Find out who is in charge of bringing on interns and do the same type of informational interview. Be willing to work for free as a starting point. If they have no internships, ask if there are select days during the harvest where they may need extra help and let them know you are willing to come in at a moment’s notice. Finally, if they seem to have no opportunities, ask who else – and what other vineyards – you should speak to.
Your success in any interview and ultimately entering the industry will be more successful if you have some respected wine education credential. The educational experience not only tells the person you speak with that you know something about wine, but it also has a few other advantages:
- It gives you more confidence at presenting yourself in an interview
- It enables you to dig deeper in responding to questions
- The classes allow you an opportunity to network with other students and teachers about opportunities.
The idea of creating confidence is behind all WSET course which is why we feel so strongly about them. In a down wine market this type of education is even more valuable. You can see everything we offer at https://www.grapeexperience.com.
by Adam Chase | Mar 7, 2024
The WSET Level 3 Certificate in wine is one of the most enduring and popular courses in wine education. Level 3 has been part of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) curriculum for over 50 years and is respected and by every profession in the wine industry: sommeliers, retailers, importers, distributors, producers, and wine writers. It is the perfect course for a wine professional or someone looking to join the industry. It is also ideal for consumers who want a deeper dive into what is driving today’s wine styles.
The beauty of the WSET Level 3 program is that it has continued to evolve as consumer tastes, climates, technology, and trends have changed. The course provides a deep and broad foundation on what drives production decisions – natural factors and human choices – that ultimately result in specific styles. In doing so it delves into every major wine region and in the last 20 years that means greater attention to wines produced outside of Europe.
WSET Level 3 also focuses on tasting a huge range of wines –from global locations, price points and volume levels. The aim is to help identify the objective elements that define quality, while also understanding through a tasting experience how natural and human factors manifest themselves in the glass.
For individuals studying to be a sommelier, WSET Level 3 provides the theory needed to be confident about wine facts and make the most out of food and wine pairings. For anyone else in the industry that same confidence allows them to make better decisions and have substantive conversations with colleagues, producers, or consumers.
WSET Level 3 also attracts consumers who have a love of wine, food and culture because it goes beyond surface facts and really focuses in on how and why wines differ from each other. The level of knowledge that one has after taking Level 3 is something that will last and develop for a lifetime.
For all these reasons and more WSET Level 3 is the perfect course for anyone with a desire to work in or just better enjoy wine. You can see the next WSET Level 3 offerings at Grape Experience by clicking on this link: https://www.grapeexperience.com/advanced-certificate-wine/
