Yes; you will not be able to earn a Certificate in a given level unless you have successfully completed the lower level(s) first. For example, you must have earned certificates in Levels One and Two before earning your Certificate for Level Three.

Level One introduces the NWS pedagogical method and covers the fundamentals of understanding wine, from the noble grapes to winemaking to the basics of wine styles and food pairing. No wines are required for this level.

Moving on, we dive further deeper into the organoleptic properties of wine and deductive tasting (Level 2) and the world’s best wine regions (Level 3). Wines are required for these levels. If you are seeking certification, the courses must be taken in order. They are arranged in “weekly” lessons but can be taken at your own pace. Each course has 7-8 lessons, including the final exam. You are given six months to complete your course, although extensions are available.