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D3 | Wines of the World

Learning Outcome
3.1 Understand how the growing environment, grape growing options, winemaking options,
wine law and regulation, and wine business influence the style, quality and price of the
principal wines of the world.

Assessment Criteria
3.1.1 Describe the wines from the principal wine regions in terms of style, quality and price.
3.1.2 Describe the growing environment, grape growing options and winemaking options
involved in the production of the wines from the principal wine regions.
3.1.3 Explain how the growing environment, grape growing options and winemaking options
influence the style, quality and price of the wines from the principal wine regions.
3.1.4 Evaluate the growing environment, grape growing options and winemaking options that
can influence the style, quality and price of the wines from the principal wine regions.
3.1.5 Compare the style, quality and price of the wines from the principal wine regions in terms
of the growing environment, grape growing options and winemaking options.
3.1.6 Explain how wine law and regulation and wine business influence the style, quality and
price of the wines from the principal wine regions.
3.1.7 Evaluate the different options for getting wine from the principal wine regions to the
point of sale.

Ranges
Principal wine regions France Bordeaux, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Alsace, the Loire Valley, the Rhône Valley, South of
France, South West France, Jura
Germany Ahr, Mosel, Nahe, Rheingau, Rheinhessen, Pfalz, Baden, Franken, Württemburg
Austria Niederösterreich, Burgenland, Steiermark
Hungary Tokaj
Greece Macedonia, Peloponnese, the Islands
Italy Trentino-Alto Adige, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Veneto, Piemonte, Tuscany, Marche, Umbria,
Lazio, Abruzzo, Campania, Puglia, Basilicata, Sicily, Sardinia
Spain Catalunya, Valencia, Murcia, Aragón, Castilla-La Mancha, Castilla y León, La Rioja,
Navarra, Galicia
Portugal Vinho Verde, Douro, Dão, Bairrada, Alentejo, Lisboa, Península de Setúbal, Tejo
USA California, Oregon, Washington, New York
Canada Ontario, British Columbia
Chile Coquimbo, Aconcagua, Central Valley, Southern Region
Argentina Salta, San Juan, Mendoza, Patagonia
South Africa Western Cape: Coastal Region, Breede River Valley, Cape South Coast, Olifants River
Australia South Eastern Australia: South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania;
Western Australia
New Zealand North Island, South Island
China

The growing environment Factors affecting temperature, sunlight, water availability and nutrient availability; weather; hazards; pests
and diseases

Grape growing options Considerations in vineyard establishment, planting materials, managing nutrients and water, canopy
management, harvest, managing hazards, managing pests and diseases
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Winemaking options Approaches to winemaking, transportation of grapes, grape reception, grape processing, pre-fermentation
clarification, must adjustments, alcoholic fermentation, malolactic conversion (MLF), extraction and pressing,
adjustments, maturation, blending, post-fermentation clarification, stabilisation, finishing options, packaging
and closures, transportation of wine

Wine law and regulation International, national and local legislation, industry associations, GI, PDO, PGI, wines without geographical
indicator, labelling terms

Wine business Factors that contribute to the price of wines

Supply, demand, costs, legislation, currency exchange
Types of businesses engaged in the production of wine
Grower, estate, broker, merchant, winery, virtual winery, custom crush facility, co-operative, conglomerate
Options for getting wine from the principal wine regions to the point of sale
Importing options, retail options, HoReCa options, direct to consumer, types of market
Marketing considerations
Types of wine brand, marketing concepts, marketing options, 5Ps

Learning Outcome
3.2 Demonstrate the ability to taste and evaluate wines from the principal wine regions
accurately.

Assessment Criterion
3.2.1 Describe and evaluate the wines from the principal wine regions using the WSET Level 4
Systematic Approach to Tasting Wine.

Range
WSET Level 4 Systematic Approach to Tasting Wine

Assessment
Examination Day 1
Exam 1
Duration: 2 hours
Question types: Open-response

Exam 2
Duration: 1-hour 20 minutes
Question types: Open-response

Examination Day 2
Exam 1
Duration: 1½ hours
Question type: Blind tasting of 6 wines

Exam 2
Duration: 1½ hours
Question type: Blind tasting of 6 wines

Note
• Two set dates per academic year in October and May.