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The WSET Level 3 Systematic Approach to Tasting (SAT): how to write a tasting note

The tasting part of the WSET Level 3 exam is a blind tasting of two wines written up with the Systematic Approach to Tasting (SAT). The SAT trains two skills: describing a wine accurately and drawing reasoned conclusions about its quality and readiness for drinking.

A good tasting note follows the same order every time – appearance, nose, palate, conclusions – and uses the exact SAT vocabulary. The Wine Goat app lets you write tasting notes with the full SAT and checks their structure; the questions below test the theory behind it.

  • Always follow the order: appearance, nose, palate, conclusions.
  • Use the SAT terms exactly; vague words don't score.
  • Give several precise aroma descriptors from different clusters.
  • Justify quality with balance, length, intensity and complexity.
  • Practise with wines of known styles so the structure becomes automatic.

Sample questions with answers

1 What two fundamental skills is the SAT designed to develop?

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Answer: Describing a wine accurately and drawing reasoned conclusions

Why: The SAT is a teaching and assessment tool: it describes (appearance, nose, palate) and then concludes (quality and readiness).

2 What are the two headings in the 'Conclusions' section of the SAT?

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Answer: Quality level and readiness for drinking/ageing potential

Why: In the Conclusions you must use the listed terms: quality level and readiness for drinking.

3 Where is the Wine-Lexicon found?

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Answer: On the reverse of the laminated SAT card

Why: The Lexicon lists aroma and flavour descriptors to help describe a wine; it is on the back of the SAT card.

4 A wine sits between ruby and garnet. How should you describe it in the exam?

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Answer: Choose just one term, the closer one

Why: On hyphenated lines you pick one term only; a range such as 'ruby to garnet' scores no mark.

5 In the SAT 'Conclusions' section, may you use your own words?

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Answer: No: only the terms listed in the SAT

Why: The Conclusions are the evaluative part of the SAT, with two headings: quality level and readiness for drinking/potential for ageing. You are restricted to the specific listed terms here (e.g. 'good', 'can drink now, but has potential for ageing'). Freedom to use other words applies only to the 'e.g.' lines (aroma and flavour characteristics).

6 At Level 3, how have many three-point scales been refined?

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Answer: By splitting 'medium' into medium(-), medium and medium(+)

Why: Only the 'medium' band is split, because most wines fall there: it is not five equal parts.

Practise all of it in the free app

Your answers are saved to your profile, the app builds your day-by-day study plan up to the exam and brings back your weak points until you master them.

Start free – build my planTry the free Bordeaux module

Frequently asked questions

What is the SAT in WSET Level 3?

The Systematic Approach to Tasting is the method used in WSET exams to describe a wine (appearance, nose, palate) and reach conclusions on quality and readiness for drinking.

How many wines are in the WSET Level 3 tasting exam?

Two wines, tasted blind, each written up as a full SAT tasting note.

How can I practise SAT tasting notes?

Taste regularly with the SAT grid and write full notes; The Wine Goat app lets you write and check SAT notes and drills the tasting theory.

More WSET Level 3 resources

WSET 3 questions by region and topic