
93. The Traditional Method: The Bottle Fermentation Process Behind the Magic of Champagne and Other Sparkling Wines
08/1/2026 | 11 min
Stay Connected WineEducate.com Newsletter signup: mailchi.mp/6648859973ba/newsletter How to Contact Us [email protected] Episode 93 | The Traditional Method Hello and welcome to Episode 93 of the Wine Educate Podcast. I'm your host, Joanne Close. Today we're breaking down the Traditional Method, the original bottle-fermented process that gives us Champagne and many of the world's most compelling sparkling wines. These bubbles are created by a second fermentation captured in a sealed bottle, using thicker glass built to hold pressure. We begin with the base wine, fermented first and intentionally lower in alcohol so the final wine stays balanced after the second fermentation adds about 1–1.5% ABV. Yeast and sugar are added before sealing with a crown cap, restarting fermentation inside the bottle. The CO2 produced dissolves into the wine, forming bubbles, while yeast autolysis develops aromas often described as bread, biscuit, or pastry notes, depending on how long the wine rests on the lees. Lees are guided into the neck through riddling, once done entirely by hand, now most often by machine using a Gyropalette, which completes the job in days. The lees are removed during disgorging by freezing the neck to form a small plug that is ejected under pressure when the crown cap is removed. The wine is then topped up and styled through dosage, a blend of wine and sugar that determines the final sweetness level, such as Brut (dry) or Demi-sec (sweeter). The cork is inserted last and secured with a wire cage to hold against the internal pressure. Traditional Method Sparkling Wine Around the World • Champagne and Cremant in France • Cava in Spain • Method Cap Classic in South Africa • Traditional Method styles in California, Australia, and New Zealand If you enjoy learning how your favorite wines are made and want WSET material explained in a real, practical way, join us in class or sign up for the newsletter. You can now watch episodes on YouTube as well as listening on your favorite podcast app. Stay Connected WineEducate.com Newsletter signup: mailchi.mp/6648859973ba/newsletter How to Contact Us [email protected]

92. Sparkling Wine 101: A Clear Introduction to Bubbles, Mousse, and Winemaking Methods for WSET Students and Sparkling Wine Enthusiasts
01/1/2026 | 9 min
Stay Connected www.WineEducate.com Newsletter signup: https://mailchi.mp/6648859973ba/newsletter How to Contact Us [email protected] Episode 92 | Sparkling Wine Series Begins Hello and welcome to Episode 92 of the Wine Educate Podcast. I'm your host, Joanne Close, and we're just about at the New Year. The holidays happened, the bubbles were flowing, and I sure enjoyed my fair share of sparkling wine. Now we're kicking off a brand new Sparkling Wine Series, and friends, it's a big one. This series is built as a supplement, not a replacement for the WSET class. I'll be focusing mainly on Level 2 material, with a few Level 3 touches where it makes sense, but the deeper Level 3 concepts are being saved for the new Level 3 membership launching in February. How Sparkling Wine Shows Up in WSET Exams For Level 1 and Level 2, sparkling wines show up early, including Champagne, Prosecco, Cava, the style overview, and the ever-popular service question: how to open a bottle of sparkling wine. Yes, that question keeps showing up at multiple levels. For Level 2, sparkling wine and fortified wines are covered in Session 8, and the service component is important and appears in the multiple choice questions. For Level 3, you will not get a sparkling wine in the practical tasting exam, but you will see it in the theory, including multiple choice questions and short answer essays on sparkling or fortified wines. Tasting Term to Know: Mousse Mousse describes the bubble texture on the palate. In class, we talk about three broad levels: delicate, creamy, and aggressive. The class always gets a good laugh out of the aggressive mousse question, and yes, it sticks in your memory. You use it in your Level 3 SAT framework, but you won't be assessed on tasting a sparkling wine. Definition of Sparkling Wine Sparkling wine is wine that bubbles when poured into a glass. The bubbles form because carbon dioxide is dissolved in the wine under pressure until the bottle is opened and the cork is removed. I love that Oxford Companion definition. It's simple, it's clear, and it just works. Grapes for Sparkling Wine Acidity is the key. Grapes with naturally high acidity make fresher, livelier styles of sparkling wine. In Champagne, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are stars because they deliver high acidity and make great sparkling wine. This model has been copied in other regions. In the Loire Valley, Chenin Blanc steps up as the hero grape for extraordinary sparkling wines. In Australia, Shiraz is used to make red sparkling wine, because it's their grape. So why not? How the Bubbles Get in the Bottle: Main Production Methods The method has a direct correlation to style, quality, mouthfeel, price, and the feel of the bubbles when you sip the wine. Here are the big ones we'll explore in this series: Traditional Method Transfer Method Ancestral Method (Petillant Naturel, or Pet Nat) Tank Method Carbonation Method The traditional fermentation method is the most expensive to produce. Other methods exist to make sparkling wine more affordable and accessible, and each method creates a different style in the glass. Sparkling Wine Styles, Sweetness & Alcohol Sparkling wines can be white, rosé, or red, and range from very dry to sweet, and everything in between. Alcohol is often around 12% to 12.5%, but it can be lower. Producers try not to let alcohol creep too high because it can mute freshness and balance. Sparkling Wine Today Global sparkling wine consumption has increased by 57% since 2002 and continues steadily upward. We live in exciting times in wine, especially for sparkling, because there are more grapes, more methods, more styles, and more opportunities to taste something new. What's Next Next week in Episode 93, we're diving into the traditional method, the science, the wonder, and the pure magic of how those bubbles get into the wine. If you want weekly quizzes, short answer practice, and pairing context delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for the Wine Educate newsletter. Head to wineeducate.com and click the green newsletter signup button, or use the link in the show notes. And as always, hit reply if you have questions. I love hearing from you. Cheers, Joanne Close

91. How WSET Online Courses Work: On Demand vs Instructor Led
25/12/2025 | 9 min
Stay Connected www.WineEducate.com Newsletter signup: https://mailchi.mp/6648859973ba/newsletter How to Contact Us [email protected] www.WineEducate.com Joanne explains two primary online learning formats offered through Wine Educate: The WSET Online On Demand courses are fully created, structured, and taught by WSET educators. Wine Educate supports students administratively by managing registration, supplying textbooks when required for Level 2 and above, and coordinating exam scheduling after course completion. These courses are designed for learners who prefer complete schedule flexibility and self-paced study without a Wine Educate instructor teaching live lessons. The Wine Educate Instructor-Led online classes are live, interactive sessions taught by Joanne or one of Wine Educate's educators. Course listings include the instructor's name before registration. Level 1 consists of four live 90-minute sessions, while Level 2 includes six live sessions over several weeks. All sessions are recorded to allow for rewatching if needed. Unlike the On Demand format, Instructor-Led students receive a physical textbook as part of their course experience. Wine for Class & Tasting Options Wines are not included in the base cost of online classes and represent an additional expense for students. At checkout, Wine Educate offers the option to purchase WSET-approved tasting kits for Levels 1, 2, and 3. These kits are designed for one student, with the possibility of being shared between two. Students may also choose to source wines independently using the style list provided by Wine Educate, which is especially helpful for tasting groups or trade professionals who prefer to purchase full bottles. Joanne emphasizes that while tasting kits are strongly recommended for the guided tasting examples in class, wines are not mandatory for passing the course or sitting the exam. Exam Format & Logistics Wine Educate students can sit their exams in person at one of Wine Educate's satellite locations if local to the testing area. For most online learners who live outside of these areas, Joanne explains the benefits of WSET Remote Invigilation, where the exam is scheduled and monitored by WSET through the student's computer. Wine Educate assists with setup, scheduling, and logistics so students can test from home at a time that works for them. How to Choose the Right Format Joanne summarizes the decision simply: students looking for maximum flexibility and self-pacing should consider WSET On Demand, while those wanting live teaching, structure, interaction, and direct instructor support will benefit most from Wine Educate's Instructor-Led online classes. What's Next The next podcast series will focus on Sparkling Wine, running through February. Joanne notes that newsletter topics will align with upcoming episodes and include quizzes and exam questions to support both WSET students and wine enthusiasts continuing their learning journey. Stay Connected WineEducate.com Newsletter signup: https://mailchi.mp/6648859973ba/newsletter How to Contact Us [email protected] WineEducate.com

90. Thinking About a Wine Trip? What to Know About Wine Educate's Vineyard Travel
18/12/2025 | 7 min
Resources & Links Wine Educate Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/6648859973ba/newsletter Wine Educate Trips & Itineraries: https://www.wineeducate.com/trips Contact Joanne: [email protected] Episode 90: Thinking About a Wine Trip? What to Know About Wine Educate's Vineyard Travel In this episode, we continue our New Year goal-setting series by talking about one of the most impactful goals a wine student or enthusiast can set: visiting a vineyard. You do not need to plan a two-week international trip to learn from a vineyard visit. A day trip, weekend drive, or nearby winery can bring wine concepts to life in a way that books and classrooms cannot. Even a single visit can create lasting "aha" moments around climate, viticulture, and winemaking decisions. I also share details about Wine Educate's trips to Château Camplazens, my family's vineyard in the south of France, and walk through two experiences in particular: WSET Level 2 Award in Wines – South of France, which combines classroom instruction with vineyard learning, tastings, and regional exploration. Languedoc Food & Wine Experience, designed for all levels, focusing on regional wines, local food producers, and cultural discovery rather than formal certification. I answer common questions about these trips, including exam timing, flexibility for travel companions, and how to get to Château Camplazens by train from Paris or Barcelona. If vineyard travel has ever felt out of reach, this episode is meant to show you that it may be more accessible than you think. If you have questions about any of the trips, email me directly. It's me on the other end, and I'm always happy to help. Next week, we wrap up our 2026 planning series by talking about online wine classes and how they work. In January, we'll begin a new Sparkling Wine series. If you find the podcast helpful, please consider sharing it with a fellow wine student or enthusiast.

89. Inside the Master of Wine Program: History, Requirements, and How to Apply
11/12/2025 | 9 min
Resources & Links Sign up for the Wine Educate newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/6648859973ba/newsletter Masters of Wine official site: https://www.mastersofwine.org Recommended past episodes: Episode 5 – Understanding Level 1 Episode 8 – Understanding Level 2 Episode 23 – Understanding Level 3 How to Contact Us [email protected] Episode Overview In Episode 89, we continue the conversation from last week's episode on goal-setting and long-term planning for your wine education. Today's focus is the Master of Wine program — what it is, how it began, what the exam involves, and how to apply. This episode is designed to plant a seed for anyone who has ever wondered about the highest level of wine study and what it might take to get there. What the Master of Wine Is The Master of Wine, awarded by the Institute of Masters of Wine, is widely regarded as the most demanding professional wine qualification in the world. The exam assesses a candidate's ability to describe, assess, and identify wine at an exceptionally high level. Many MWs describe it as the most challenging undertaking of their careers. A Brief History The MW was created in the British wine trade in the early 1950s as a way to set a professional benchmark. The first exam was held in 1953, with 21 candidates and only six who passed. The Institute of Masters of Wine was formally established in 1955. From there, the program gradually expanded beyond the UK and beyond traditional wine merchants, eventually admitting educators, writers, and international candidates. Today, there are just over 500 people who have ever earned the title, representing about 30 countries. What the Exam Involves The MW exam is completed over multiple days and includes five theory papers and three practical tasting papers. Each tasting exam features twelve wines, and candidates must assess variety, origin, winemaking, quality, and commercial aspects. In 1999, the Research Paper was introduced — a 6,000–10,000 word original research project on a topic of the candidate's choosing. All three components must be passed to earn the MW. The Stages of the Study Program Students accepted into the program complete three stages: Stage 1: A five-day seminar, additional course days, and a Stage 1 Assessment consisting of a 12-wine blind tasting and two essays. Stage 2: Additional seminars and coursework, culminating in the full MW theory and tasting exams held each June. Stage 3: The Research Paper, an in-depth, original piece of work contributing to the world of wine. Throughout the program, MWs volunteer their time as mentors and teachers, guiding students and supporting their progress. Eligibility and How to Apply Applicants must meet the following criteria: Professional involvement in the wine industry (primary livelihood or 20+ hours per week) At least three years of industry experience A qualification equivalent to the WSET Diploma A professional reference, ideally from a Master of Wine Applications open once a year, with the next application period beginning April 20, 2026. Applicants complete an online form along with theory and practical entrance exams. Why This Matters for Students at Any Level Even if you're currently at Level 1 or Level 2, understanding the MW pathway can help you begin planning your long-term goals. Achieving this qualification can take many years, but it is absolutely possible with a clear roadmap, consistent study, professional experience, and financial planning. Scholarships, employer sponsorships, and thoughtful career development can all play a role. If you're just starting out, Wine Educate offers Levels 1 through 3, and past episodes 5, 8, and 23 give useful overviews of each level and how to approach your studies. Stay Connected If you haven't subscribed to the newsletter, visit wineeducate.com and click the green sign-up button. Each week's newsletter includes Level 3 essay questions, Level 2 quizzes, and Level 1 wine tips to support your studies.



Wine Educate: Wine Lessons, Travel & WSET Study Prep