Welcome to the WSET Tasting Note Strategy Hub
This section of the site is dedicated to helping WSET Diploma students master the art of writing distinction-level tasting notes. Drawing on years of experience and direct success with the program, we offer guides, structured examples, and logic-based strategies to help you confidently earn the points required to pass and excel.
The Role of Tasting Notes in WSET DiplomaTasting notes for WSET Diploma assessments are not simply records of how a wine smells and tastes; they are structured technical assessments designed to demonstrate your command of the Systematic Approach to Tasting (SAT) and your ability to identify, describe, and evaluate wines using language and logic consistent with the Diploma expectations. These notes are graded based on very specific criteria. Understanding how those criteria map to points is essential.
The Structure of a WSET Tasting NoteEvery tasting note must include the following five sections:
Essential Reminders Before You Begin
Writing Strategy by Section (The Torrontes and first Syrah notes have the points allocated in the notes. The rest do not)
1. Appearance
Practicing Your Tasting Notes (an example of a dry note for Cote Rotie and a practice form are below)
1. Practice with Real Wines:
Final Tip: Don’t Write for Yourself—Write for the Marker. The person grading your paper is checking boxes and assigning points. They don’t care if you’re a brilliant taster; they care if you followed the SAT, wrote enough aroma/flavor notes, and gave consistent logic in your quality section.
Write to score. Practice to internalize. Master the structure.
This section of the site is dedicated to helping WSET Diploma students master the art of writing distinction-level tasting notes. Drawing on years of experience and direct success with the program, we offer guides, structured examples, and logic-based strategies to help you confidently earn the points required to pass and excel.
The Role of Tasting Notes in WSET DiplomaTasting notes for WSET Diploma assessments are not simply records of how a wine smells and tastes; they are structured technical assessments designed to demonstrate your command of the Systematic Approach to Tasting (SAT) and your ability to identify, describe, and evaluate wines using language and logic consistent with the Diploma expectations. These notes are graded based on very specific criteria. Understanding how those criteria map to points is essential.
The Structure of a WSET Tasting NoteEvery tasting note must include the following five sections:
- Appearance
- Nose
- Palate
- Conclusions (Quality Assessment)
- Suitability for Aging / Further Development
Essential Reminders Before You Begin
- Use WSET’s SAT descriptors wherever possible. These are the terms the examiners are trained to recognize.
- Repetition of descriptors is required: If you list "red cherry" on the nose, you must repeat or evolve it on the palate—do not say "the palate reflects the nose."
- At least 6 aromas/flavors are expected (e.g., primary (blackberry), secondary (vanilla, toast), tertiary (leather)).
- Suitability for aging must align with your stated structure—e.g., don't claim high aging potential if you noted medium acidity or tannins.
- Sections must align: Body, tannin, flavor intensity, and finish must build a coherent impression.
Writing Strategy by Section (The Torrontes and first Syrah notes have the points allocated in the notes. The rest do not)
1. Appearance
- Keep this short and standard: clarity, intensity, and color.
- Example: "Clear, medium intensity, ruby."
- Don’t overthink this; just be precise and use SAT terminology.
- Include intensity, condition, and development.
- List at least 6 aromas, categorizing them across primary, secondary, and tertiary.
- Strategy: When you write "apple," consider writing "pear" as well—WSET judges favor breadth in primary descriptors.
- Begin with structure: sweetness, acidity, tannin (for red), alcohol, body, intensity, finish.
- Follow with at least 6 flavor descriptors, again spread across primary, secondary, tertiary.
- Finish with a note on balance or integration.
- Strategy: Use the palate to reinforce and confirm the nose, while introducing development or depth
- This section is typically worth 6 points, and must include:
- A quality level statement (e.g., Very Good, Outstanding)
- Five supporting justifications
- Balance
- Intensity of flavor
- Length of finish
- Complexity
- Integration
- Expression / Typicity
- Potential for development
- Strategy: Use at least one double-justification—for example, two different comments on balance (structural and flavor), or integration (oak + tannin).
- Avoid: Repetition or vague language like "everything is good"—points are awarded for clear, specific analysis.
- This must reflect the structural elements noted on the palate.
- Consider: high acidity, high tannins (for red), pronounced intensity, concentration, potential for tertiary development.
- Example: “Suitable for further aging (5–8 years) due to its high acidity, firm tannic structure, and developing complexity.”
- Strategy: If you write medium acidity, do not claim long aging potential--alignment is critical.
Practicing Your Tasting Notes (an example of a dry note for Cote Rotie and a practice form are below)
1. Practice with Real Wines:
- Always write full notes when tasting, even casually.
- Use the SAT with a timer—aim for 9–10 minutes per note to build confidence for exam timing (15 min).
- Write notes without a wine in front of you—imagine a structured, typical example of a variety or region.
- This hones your ability to evaluate academically, rather than just describe sensations.
- Think like a marker. Would your note earn the points?
- Keep in mind the balance between expression and formality—clarity, coherence, and structure win over vague poeticism.
Final Tip: Don’t Write for Yourself—Write for the Marker. The person grading your paper is checking boxes and assigning points. They don’t care if you’re a brilliant taster; they care if you followed the SAT, wrote enough aroma/flavor notes, and gave consistent logic in your quality section.
Write to score. Practice to internalize. Master the structure.
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