Wine Certification Comparisons—How do they stack up, and which path is right for you?

This post was originally published in August 2020 and updated in August 2022.

Choosing Your Wine Certification Path

These days, in a highly competitive industry like wine, certifications are increasingly valuable for wine professionals to differentiate themselves and prove the knowledge they bring to the table. There are several paths to choose, but it can be a challenge to know which one is right for you.

As a wine educator, who has been through almost all of the major wine certification programs, and teaches most of them, I get asked a lot about how to determine which one to choose, and how the relevancy and difficulty level of these different options compares.

Just to give you an idea of my qualifications to assess these programs in comparison to one another, I have been through all the WSET levels, and am an authorized instructor for all WSET levels, L1-L4. I hold the CSW and the CWE. I'm a program provider for the French, Italian, and Spanish Wine Scholar programs, and have completed many of the Wine Scholar Guild Master-Level certifications as well.

In this article, I will compare the difficulty level of each major certification level, and make recommendations for each program, based on certain factors a wine student will likely be grappling with in making a decision about which path to pursue.

Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET)

Considered the world’s most respected and recognized wine education and certification body. The certification levels are known and respected around the world. Advantage: these certifications prove a well-established level of mastery of wine knowledge the world over.

The organization also holds a high standard for its program providers and their online learning as well, so if you choose this option you are good to go, internationally. The materials are excellent but can be rather dry. WSET certifications are a solid choice because they are globally recognized, include expert instruction, and are wonderful because they are absolutely not geared towards any specific job.

WSET Certification Levels

L1 (Beginners)The exam is 30 multiple-choice questions and is fairly easy.

L2 (Intermediate, but suitable for students with some specialized knowledge who need the big picture)

The exam is 50 multiple-choice questions and is more rigorous. Level 1 is not a prerequisite.

L3 (Advanced) The level really synthesizes the information presented at an advanced level. The exam includes 50 multiple-choice questions, several short, written answer questions, and a systematic tasting note. Level 2 is not a prerequisite.

L4/Diploma is the highest level in WSET and is often considered a stepping stone for those who wish to pursue the Master of Wine distinction. Level 3 is a prerequisite. The Diploma in Wine and Spirits is really similar to a university Master's Degree program; one should expect to take 18-24 months of straight study to complete the program. There are six units/exams, which include tastings, written essays, and an independent research paper.

WSET—Where to Study

I recommend students seek out their local program provider. In the Seattle area, in-person WSET classes are available through the Wine and Spirit Archive, where I'm a regular guest lecturer.

For online learning, I recommend the Napa Valley Wine Academy, which ships wine samples with all their online WSET courses. You can click on each level to learn more and register:

WSET Level 1 Online WSET Level 2 Online WSET Level 3 Online

The Society of Wine Educators (SWE)

The oldest American wine certification body has two excellent programs that are well regarded and recognized in North America. The two levels of wine certification are Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW), and Certified Wine Educator (CWE). The SWE certifications are quite economical since there is no classroom learning or tasting involved, and provide wonderful flexibility of study for self-motivated students.

I am also extremely fond of the CSW Study Guide (and workbook), which is actually one of my very favorite reference books on the wines of the world. In fact, I use it as a textbook for the college-level Wines of the World course I have been teaching for many years. The Study Guide is updated every year and is always accurately and clearly written, which is no small achievement. I recommend every student of wine to buy this book no matter which certification path they choose.

Jane Nickles (aka The Bubbly Professor) is the Society’s Education Director and the author/editor of the Study Guide. She is an incredibly dynamic person (and I recommend you check out her blog, linked above)!

Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW)

An intermediate/advanced level certification course, which addresses the study of wines of the world at a similar level to WSET L3. Although one can find independent schools where CWEs offer a CSW prep course, these certifications are primarily self-study/online learning. The SWE offers an excellent online learning academy, which is expertly put together to provide self-paced study.

The exam includes 100 multiple choice questions and can be taken through Pearson VUE Testing Centers or ProctorU. The exam does not include a tasting component, or short answer questions, which is probably why many people put this certification somewhere between WSET L2 & L3 when it comes to difficulty. This is a really great option for self-motivated students who are good at pacing their own studies. This certification is not geared toward any specific job in the industry.

Certified Wine Educator (CWE)

The Society’s highest level of certification tests the candidate at a required knowledge level similar to the WSET Diploma. As with the CSW, the main reason for putting this certification at a slightly lower level than the Diploma lies in the exam format, not the level of knowledge required.

This is a self-study program, without formal instruction of any kind (no online learning academy). The exam consists of two tasting parts, a blind varietal identification of six wines and a faults/imbalances identification of six wines, a 100-question multiple-choice exam, and a long-form essay. Once the candidate has passed all of these exams, the final exam is a demonstration of teaching skills in front of a panel. This is a great certification for educators and professionals who need to present at a high level.

Court of Master Sommeliers (CMS)

Although certifications through the court are geared towards service, they include the same theory requirements as WSET and SWE certifications. There are four levels of certification.

Introductory – roughly equivalent to the WSET L2

Certified – roughly equivalent to CSW or WSET L3

Advanced – Roughly equivalent to the CWE, or WSET Diploma

Master Sommelier – Roughly equivalent to the Master of Wine

If you are interested in these programs, I am happy to connect you to local Sommelier educators or learn more by visiting the Court of Master Sommeliers website.

Wine Scholar Guild (WSG)

A leading provider of specialization wine study and certifications programs internationally. WSG offers the most in-depth certifications in the world for the wines of France, Italy, and Spain, as well as extensive Master Level courses in regional subjects from France (with more to come from Italy and Spain).

These certifications are offered either by distance study or by program providers across the globe. The certifications are globally recognized, and the program providers are highly vetted with most holding either the WSET Diploma, CWE, MW, or MS.

French, Spanish, and Italian Wine Scholar Certifications

These programs are suitable for both enthusiasts and professionals alike who are deeply passionate about wine. Although it is certainly possible to specialize before you generalize, a basic knowledge of wine is recommended as a prerequisite.

These programs are also great companions to other Advanced level studies, such as WSET Diploma, SWE’s CWE, and the Court’s Advanced Level certification. These programs are life-changing. Time and again, I see doors open up for people in their careers, and personal pleasure through these programs. The exam is a 100-question multiple choice.

Cellar Muse is the Wine Scholar Guild's approved provider in Washington. Learn more about the upcoming Wine Scholar programs we are enrolling in now.

Master-Level Programs in French Wine Regions

Wine Scholar Guild's Master-Level programs are industry-endorsed wine study programs for trade professionals and the serious wine student. The programs provide an intimate and in-depth look at a single region (Champagne, Bourgogne, Bordeaux, or Loire). These programs are rigorous and require a deep passion for the region of study. The exam includes 50 multiple choice questions, three short essay questions, and 10 map identification questions. These courses are offered online and are self-paced.

I hope this helps, and if you need more guidance in selecting a course of study, assistance with exam study strategies, or other coaching, you can book a mentoring session here.

Happy studies!