36. Testable VS Nontestable Wines - Wines That May Appear on the WSET Level 3 Tasting Exam

• Resources & Links

  • Sign up for the Wine Educate Newsletter: www.wineeducate.com/newsletter-signup

  • Launchpad: Level 3 Prep Course: www.wineeducate.com/launchpad

  How to Contact Us

  • Website: www.wineeducate.com

  • Email: joanne@wineeducate.com

  • Instagram & Facebook: @wineeducate

Episode Summary

In this episode, Joanne Close addresses a common concern among WSET Level 3 students: the difference between testable and non-testable wines. If you've ever second-guessed your tasting notes or stressed over wines that don't match your expectations, this episode is meant to put your mind at ease.

Joanne explains what makes a wine "testable" for exam purposes—wines that show clear, predictable characteristics and represent textbook styles, like New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. These wines are great for calibrating your palate and practicing structured tasting.

But not every wine poured in class is meant for the exam. Joanne discusses why it's important to include wines that may not be considered "testable" but are still valuable learning tools. Examples include wines that teach about lees aging, oak influence, regional styles, or variation within a grape variety—like a Pinotage or a Chianti Classico Riserva.

She reminds listeners that only about 20% of wines are truly "testable," and the rest are included for context, discussion, and exposure to the real diversity of the wine world.

If you're preparing for the Level 3 exam, check out the Launchpad: Level 3 Prep Course, which includes a list of ~20 testable wines for SAT practice—even without the bottle in front of you.

Related Episodes

• Episode 17: Tasting Walkthrough – New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc

• Episode 20: Tasting Walkthrough – Oaked Chardonnay

Resources & Links

• Sign up for the Wine Educate Newsletter: www.wineeducate.com/newsletter-signup

• Launchpad: Level 3 Prep Course: www.wineeducate.com/launchpad

How to Contact Us

• Website: www.wineeducate.com

• Email: joanne@wineeducate.com

• Instagram & Facebook: @wineeducate