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Wine Educate: Wine Tasting, Wine Tips, Wine Enthusiast, WSET

Wine Educate: Wine Tasting, Wine Tips, Wine Enthusiast, WSET

By: Joanne Close
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 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 Art Cooking Food & Wine
Episodes
  • 78. Languedoc Wines Explained: PDO vs IGP and Why Languedoc Is France’s Most Underrated Wine Destination

    78. Languedoc Wines Explained: PDO vs IGP and Why Languedoc Is France’s Most Underrated Wine Destination
    Sep 25 2025
    Resources & Links

    If you have questions about our upcoming trips to The South of France, we are hosting a Zoom info session on October 15th. Get the Zoom link here: www.wineeducate.com/trips

    If you want to learn more about our upcoming trips, visit: www.wineeducate.com/trips

    To receive study tips, quizzes, and information on upcoming classes, sign up for our newsletter: www.wineeducate.com/newsletter

    Hello friend, and welcome to Episode 78 of the Wine Educate podcast! I’m your host, Joanne Close, and today we’re diving into the Languedoc, a region that is near and dear to my heart.

    As some of you know, my parents bought a vineyard here 25 years ago, so this has been my summer stomping ground for decades. Now that I’m running wine trips, I get even more excuses to visit—not just my parents, but also this extraordinary, and often underrated, corner of France. I’ve had some of the best meals and most memorable bottles of wine in the Languedoc, and I can’t wait to share its story with you.

    What You’ll Learn in This Episode

    • Why Jancis Robinson calls Languedoc “France’s best value.”

    • The history behind the name “Languedoc” and its three central departments: Aude, Hérault, and Gard.

    • How the Languedoc evolved from producing France’s bulk wines to becoming home to exciting AOCs.

    • The importance of IGP wines here (60% of France’s IGP wines come from this region!).

    • The role of wind, sunshine, and climate in shaping viticulture.

    • Key appellations and sub-appellations you should know for your wine studies.

    • Signature grape varieties and styles—from bold reds to refreshing Picpoul de Pinet and sparkling wines of Limoux.

    • Personal stories from my family’s vineyard and why this region continues to inspire me.

    Why This Matters

    The Languedoc is literally watching itself reinvent and redefine quality. It’s vast, diverse, and still evolving, which makes it both exciting to study and rewarding to drink from. Whether you’re studying for WSET or just looking for amazing value wines, the Languedoc has something for you.

    Resources & Links

    If you have questions about our upcoming trips to The South of France, we are hosting a Zoom info session on October 15th. Get the Zoom link here: www.wineeducate.com/trips

    If you want to learn more about our upcoming trips, visit: www.wineeducate.com/trips

    To receive study tips, quizzes, and information on upcoming classes, sign up for our newsletter: www.wineeducate.com/newsletter-signup
    Show More Show Less
    9 mins
  • 77. Super Tuscans 101: Tuscany’s Bordeaux Blends and the Sassicaia Story

    77. Super Tuscans 101: Tuscany’s Bordeaux Blends and the Sassicaia Story
    Sep 18 2025

    Description:
    In Episode 77 of the Wine Educate Podcast, Joanne Close explores the fascinating rise of Super Tuscans—wines that broke Italy’s traditional rules and became some of the most sought-after bottles in the world.

    In Tuesday’s episode, we covered Chianti and Chianti Classico. Today, we’re heading about 75 miles southwest to Bolgheri, the coastal home of Super Tuscans. Though close in distance, Chianti and Bolgheri couldn’t be more different in climate, grape varieties, and wine styles.

    We’ll dive into:

    • What makes a wine a “Super Tuscan” (hint: it’s all about those Bordeaux grapes and French barriques)

    • Why the end of Tuscany’s sharecropping system in the 1950s–60s led to a decline in wine quality

    • How new investors and open-minded winemakers planted Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah

    • The origin story of Sassicaia, the trailblazing wine that inspired a movement

    • The creation of Bolgheri DOC in 1983, its evolution in 1994, and the unique 2013 Sassicaia DOC—Italy’s only single-estate DOC

    • How Bolgheri grew from 250 hectares in the late 1990s to nearly 1,200 hectares today with 60 producers

    • Why Super Tuscans remain some of the most iconic and expensive wines in Italy

    Episode Highlights:

    • The contrast between Chianti Classico’s high-altitude Sangiovese and Bolgheri’s plush Bordeaux blends

    • The story of Sassicaia and why it’s so special

    • The evolution from “vino da tavola” to prestigious DOC status

    • Current pricing and collector appeal of Super Tuscans

    Perfect for:

    • WSET students looking to sharpen Level 3 knowledge

    • Italian wine enthusiasts curious about more than Chianti

    • Collectors and wine lovers who want to understand the Super Tuscan legacy

    👉 Want to test your knowledge? I’m adding new wine quizzes in the Wine Educate Newsletter. Sign up at wineeducate.com
    Show More Show Less
    10 mins
  • 76, Chianti vs. Chianti Classico: History, Laws, and Key Differences Explained

    76, Chianti vs. Chianti Classico: History, Laws, and Key Differences Explained
    Sep 16 2025

    Hello and welcome back to the Wine Educate Podcast. I’m your host, Joanne Close, and this is episode 76. Today we’re diving into the history and wine laws of Chianti and Chianti Classico. This is a Level 3 topic, but I’ve added context and stories that bring the region to life.

    Chianti has one of the longest and most fascinating histories in Italian wine. As early as the 13th century, the region was known as “Chianti,” and in 1716, Grand Duke Cosimo III of Tuscany officially delineated the boundaries of what is essentially Chianti Classico today. This was done to protect quality and combat fraud, making Chianti one of the first wine regions in the world to be legally defined.

    In 1924, the Consortium for the Defense of Chianti Wine was founded, beginning with just 33 producers and symbolized by the black rooster, the Gallo Nero. Today, it represents nearly 500 producers and continues to defend the reputation of Chianti Classico, often clashing with government decisions and proposals from the broader Chianti DOCG.

    We’ll explore the differences between the two appellations:

    • Chianti DOCG (DOC status in 1967, DOCG in 1984): A broad region divided into seven subzones, requiring only 70% Sangiovese in the blend and allowing higher yields. Quality can vary widely, though subzones like Chianti Rufina and Colli Senesi stand out.

    • Chianti Classico DOCG (its own DOCG since 1996): The historic heartland, with vineyards at higher altitudes that produce wines of greater acidity, structure, and elegance. Rules require at least 80% Sangiovese (often 100%), with defined aging requirements: 12 months for Classico, 24 months plus 3 in bottle for Riserva, and 30 months for Gran Selezione, which must come from a single estate.

    We’ll also talk about the introduction of UGAs (subzones within Chianti Classico) in 2021, the consortium’s ongoing battles with Chianti DOCG over labeling, and why this region’s story is full of both drama and determination.

    If you’d like to test your knowledge, sign up for the Wine Educate newsletter at wineeducate.com
    Show More Show Less
    10 mins
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