WSET Level 3 Blind Tasting Tips
How to work the tasting method under exam pressure. Updated 2026.
Unofficial study resource · not affiliated with or endorsed by WSET®The short answer
At Level 3 you taste two wines and write structured notes using the Systematic Approach to Tasting. Work the grid in the same order every time, use only the allowed words, and back your conclusion with what you actually observed. The marks are for accurate assessment and sound reasoning, not for guessing the grape.
Trust the structure
Always move through appearance, then nose, then palate, then conclusions, in that order. A fixed routine stops you from missing marks or freezing. Under time pressure the structure carries you.
Calibrate your scales
The exam wants accurate levels of acidity, tannin, alcohol, and body. Practise with reference wines so you know what medium acid or high tannin actually feels like, and mark each on the low-to-high scale with confidence.
Do not over-guess the grape
You are not marked mainly on naming the wine. You are marked on describing it accurately and reaching a supported conclusion. Describe what is in the glass rather than deciding early what it must be.
Make the conclusion follow the evidence
State the quality level and give reasons drawn from your notes, such as balance, intensity, and finish. A conclusion that matches your own description scores; a guess that contradicts it does not.
Practise timed, with two wines
Recreate the exam: two wines, a timer, and the grid. Compare your notes to a model answer to see where your descriptions drift, then adjust.
Lock in the theory too
Tasting rests on knowing grapes, regions, and winemaking. Practise the theory free here, then use the Eclavin app to make it automatic. Tasting itself still needs real wine in the glass.
Download Eclavin on the App StoreFrequently asked questions
Do I have to name the grape in the WSET Level 3 tasting exam?
No. The marks are for accurate assessment using the tasting grid and a reasoned conclusion, not for correctly guessing the grape or region.
How many wines are in the WSET Level 3 tasting exam?
Two wines, which you assess blind using the Systematic Approach to Tasting.
How do I practise blind tasting on my own?
Taste regularly with the grid in front of you, describe each wine in the same order, and compare your notes to a model answer to calibrate your scales.
What is the Systematic Approach to Tasting?
It is WSET’s structured method for describing a wine in four stages: appearance, nose, palate, and conclusions.
Is Eclavin an official WSET product?
No. Eclavin is an independent study app and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to WSET.