Wine Educate: Wine Lessons, Travel & WSET Study Prep

Episode 128: Sangiovese Grape Guide - WSET Notes on Italy's Most Planted Grape
Host: Joanne Close Episode Length: 8:55 Release Date: September 8
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Level 2 Mock Exam Bundle
If you are studying for your WSET Level 2 exam, Sangiovese is exactly the kind of grape that shows up on the test, and the Level 2 Mock Exam Bundle is built to help you practice recognizing details like this before exam day. It includes practice questions modeled after the real exam format, along with answer explanations so you understand not just what the right answer is, but why.
https://joanne-close.mykajabi.com/offers/xeXeiyop/checkout
Related Episodes
If you want to go deeper into Tuscany, two earlier episodes pair well with this one. Episode 76 covers Chianti and Chianti Classico in detail, and Episode 77 covers the Super Tuscans. Both are available wherever you listen:
Apple Podcasts: Episode 76 - Chianti vs. Chianti Classico: History, Laws, and Key Differences: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/76-chianti-vs-chianti-classico-history-laws-and-key/id1781687341?i=1000727079473
Apple Podcasts: Episode 77 - Super Tuscans 101: Tuscany's Bordeaux Blends: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/77-super-tuscans-101-tuscanys-bordeaux-blends-and/id1781687341?i=1000727407164
Episode Description
Joanne dedicates this episode to Sangiovese, Italy's most widely planted wine grape. She starts with the WSET foundation basics: Sangiovese is a black grape most closely associated with Tuscany, producing dry red wines with high acidity, high tannin, and flavors of red cherry, red plum, and dried herbs. She explains why the grape's thin skins and late ripening make it particular about where it grows, and how it is often matured in oak to soften those tannins while developing savory notes like leather, meat, and game with bottle age.
From there, Joanne moves into what makes Sangiovese such a fascinating grape to study: its sheer diversity. She walks through how the same grape shows up under completely different names depending on where in Italy it's grown, using Brunello di Montalcino and Prugnolo Gentile in Montepulciano as examples. To explain how this happened, she breaks down the difference between crossings, hybrids, and clones, and why clonal selection over generations is the reason Sangiovese developed so many regional identities that were once mistaken for entirely separate grapes.
She closes with a look at where Sangiovese is heading, including the renewed focus in parts of Tuscany on showcasing indigenous Italian varieties, using Chianti Classico Gran Selezione as an example of that shift in style and philosophy.
What You'll Learn in This Episode
Sangiovese Fundamentals
Grape characteristics: high acidity, high tannin, red cherry and red plum fruit, dried herb notes
Late ripening and thin skins, and what that means for growing conditions
Aging potential and development of tertiary characteristics like leather, meat, and game
Sangiovese in Italy
Represents roughly seven to eight percent of Italy's total vineyard area, according to the OIV
Tuscan appellations where it plays a starring role, including Brunello di Montalcino and Chianti/Chianti Classico
Other Italian regions where it is significant, including Emilia-Romagna, Umbria, Marche, and Lazio
Understanding Grape Identity: Crossings, Hybrids, and Clones
Crossings: two grapes of the same species combined to create a new variety, such as Cabernet Sauvignon
Hybrids: grapes from two different vine species combined, such as Vitis vinifera crossed with Vitis labrusca
Clones: vegetative propagation of the same grape variety, which can lead to spontaneous mutations and different attributes over generations
Sangiovese's Many Names
Brunello in Montalcino
Prugnolo Gentile in Montepulciano
Morellino in Morellino
How DNA fingerprinting confirmed these were all the same grape
Sangiovese Beyond Italy
Plantings in Argentina, particularly Mendoza, as well as California and Australia
Why its identity remains primarily Italian
The Future of Sangiovese
Renewed interest in better plant material, site selection, and understanding of the grape
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione as an example, requiring a minimum of 90% Sangiovese with the remaining 10% coming from permitted indigenous red varieties
Episode Highlights and Quotes
"It's still the grape, Sangiovese. They are different clones."
"Thanks to the magic of DNA fingerprinting, they have discovered that these are not different grapes, that they all are actually Sangiovese."
"The main important question that is being asked is how good can Sangiovese become when we have better plant material, better site selection, and a better understanding of the grape."
Quick Reference: Crossings vs. Hybrids vs. Clones
Crossing: two grapes from the same species combined to make a brand new variety. Example: Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc crossed to produce Cabernet Sauvignon.
Hybrid: two grapes from different vine species combined to make a new variety. Example: Vitis vinifera crossed with Vitis labrusca.
Clone: the same grape variety propagated vegetatively through cuttings, which can develop different attributes over generations without becoming a new variety. Example: Sangiovese's many regional clones across Italy.
Resources Mentioned
Brunello di Montalcino Chianti and Chianti Classico (covered in a previous Wine Educate Podcast episode) Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Jancis Robinson's Wine Grapes book OIV (International Organization of Vine and Wine) Level 2 Mock Exam Bundle: practice questions and explanations to help prepare for the WSET Level 2 exam - https://joanne-close.mykajabi.com/offers/xeXeiyop/checkout Sangiovese quiz, available to newsletter subscribers (email joanne@wineeducate.com to request it) WSET Level 3 Hybrid Intensive, January in New Orleans, limited to 16 people
Connect with Wine Educate
Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/6648859973ba/newsletter - sign up for wine tips, quizzes, and episode updates delivered to your inbox every week.
Website: https://www.wineeducate.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wineeducate
Never miss an episode. Subscribe on your favourite podcast platform including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and YouTube. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review and share it with fellow wine lovers. Reviews are the best way to help other WSET students find the show.
About Wine Educate
Wine Educate is a WSET Approved Programme Provider offering internationally recognized wine certification courses. Through the podcast, Joanne Close makes wine education accessible to everyone, breaking down complex topics into practical, easy-to-understand lessons. Whether you are studying for your WSET certification or simply want to learn more about wine, you will find the guidance and knowledge you need to enjoy wine with confidence.
Episode 128: Sangiovese Grape Guide - WSET Notes on Italy's Most Planted Grape | Hosted by Joanne Close | © 2025 Wine Educate

Episode 127: Dolcetto Grape Guide - A WSET Level 3 Lesson on Early Ripening Grapes and Low Extraction Red Wine Making
Host: Joanne Close Episode Length: 11:50 Release Date: September 3, 2026
Free Level 3 Prep Lesson
Get a free preview lesson from the Level 3 prep membership, including the video recording, twenty multiple choice questions, learning checks, and answer sheets. 
Option 1: Copy and paste this URL into your browser: https://joanne-close.mykajabi.com/level-3-prep-preview-course-sign-up-page
Option 2: Go to WineEducate.com, click Study Tools, then select Level 3 Wine.
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Episode Description
This week Joanne wraps up the trio of red Piedmont grapes with Dolcetto, the earlier ripening cousin to Nebbiolo and Barbera. Dolcetto barely gets a mention in the WSET Level 2 curriculum, but it opens the door to a meaty Level 3 lesson on grape ripening and vinification technique, which is exactly what Joanne digs into here.
She explains why Dolcetto's early ripening makes it such a useful piece of the Piedmont puzzle, from vineyard site selection to harvest logistics to cash flow for producers. Along the way she covers where Dolcetto is grown, what it tastes like, how winemakers manage its medium acidity and medium to high tannin, and why it is made for early drinking rather than long cellaring.
Joanne also shares an update on her Level 3 prep membership, including a newly released Chardonnay module, and a scheduling change for the podcast and newsletter going forward.
What You'll Learn in This Episode
Where Dolcetto Comes From Primarily grown in Piedmont, northwestern Italy, in the provinces of Cuneo, Alessandria, and Asti Earliest documented reference dates back to 1595 Lost ground to Barbera after phylloxera as growers replanted Also found as Ormeasco in Liguria, with small plantings in California, Washington, Oregon, Australia, and New Zealand
Why Ripening Order Matters Nebbiolo ripens latest and needs the warmest, best exposed south-facing sites Barbera ripens just ahead of Nebbiolo Dolcetto ripens earliest, up to four weeks before Nebbiolo This flexibility means Dolcetto is often planted on cooler, less favorably exposed sites, not because it likes poor conditions, but because it can still ripen successfully there
Vineyard and Winery Logistics Earlier ripening spreads out the harvest workload for picking crews and equipment Dolcetto can be vinified and moved through the winery before later ripening grapes arrive Faster turnaround means less capital tied up in barrels and tanks compared to long-matured Nebbiolo wines like Barolo and Barbaresco Earlier release dates support quicker revenue for producers
Tasting Profile Deep, often purple color from high anthocyanin content in the skins Medium acidity, lower relative to Nebbiolo and Barbera but not technically low Medium to high tannin Aromas and flavors of black plum, red cherry, and dried herbs, with additional notes of licorice, almond, and fragrant dark fruit mentioned beyond the WSET text
Winemaking Techniques Because Dolcetto pairs medium acidity with medium to high tannin, producers manage extraction carefully Techniques include shorter maceration, gentler extraction, fewer punch downs or pump overs, and earlier pressing The goal is a fresh, fruity, immediately drinkable style rather than one built for extended cellar aging
Key Appellations Dolcetto d'Alba, the most widely encountered and often the source of the finest examples Dogliani DOCG, where Dolcetto is treated as a more serious wine rather than an inexpensive early drinker
A Note on Ageability Better examples can age five to six years in bottle, but most Dolcetto is not meant for long aging Joanne makes the point that ageability and enjoyability are not the same thing
Episode Highlights and Quotes
"Dolcetto is not the star of Piedmont, but it creates an opportunity for me to give a really interesting level three lesson in grape ripening and wine making."
"This does not mean that Dolcetto inherently likes bad vineyard sites. It means its earlier ripening gives growers more flexibility in matching grape variety to site."
"Ageability isn't synonymous with enjoyability. You don't necessarily need another bottle that needs ten years in your cellar. Sometimes you just want to drink a bottle with your dinner on a Wednesday night, and perhaps that is Dolcetto."
Piedmont Red Grapes at a Glance
Nebbiolo: late ripening, high acidity, high tannin, planted on the best sites, long-lived wines requiring substantial maturation
Barbera: high acidity, low to medium tannin, generally approachable young, sometimes oak aged
Dolcetto: early ripening, medium acidity, medium to high tannin, deep in color, fresh and fruit-forward, made for early drinking
Resources Mentioned
Level 3 Prep Membership, including a free lesson, video recording, twenty multiple choice questions, learning checks, and answer sheets. A newly released Chardonnay module is now available. Visit the study tools section at https://www.wineeducate.com to find the Level 3 study tools and free lesson.
Chateau Campbell's Ends, Joanne's family vineyard, referenced as an example of harvest space and capacity constraints
Coming Up Next
Episode 128: Continuing the Italian Grapes
Joanne continues the journey through Italy's grape varieties next week.
Connect with Wine Educate
Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/6648859973ba/newsletter - sign up for wine tips, quizzes, and episode updates delivered to your inbox every week.
Website: https://www.wineeducate.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wineeducate
Never miss an episode. Subscribe on your favourite podcast platform including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and YouTube. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review and share it with fellow wine lovers. Reviews are the best way to help other WSET students find the show.
About Wine Educate
Wine Educate is a WSET Approved Programme Provider offering internationally recognized wine certification courses. Through the podcast, Joanne Close makes wine education accessible to everyone, breaking down complex topics into practical, easy-to-understand lessons. Whether you are studying for your WSET certification or simply want to learn more about wine, you will find the guidance and knowledge you need to enjoy wine with confidence.
Episode 127 of the Wine Educate Podcast | Hosted by Joanne Close | © 2025 Wine Educate

Host: Joanne Close Episode Length: 10:38 Release Date: August 27th 2026
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Episode Description
Last week's episode covered Nebbiolo, so this week Joanne turns to the grape that shares its home turf but rarely shares its spotlight: Barbera. Grown in many of the same Piedmont vineyards as Nebbiolo, Barbera has long been treated as the everyday, easy drinking counterpart to Nebbiolo's aristocratic Barolo and Barbaresco. Joanne digs into why that reputation formed, from Barbera's high yields to a 1986 methanol scandal that tarnished Italian wine more broadly, and explains how a small group of producers changed the conversation around what this grape can do.
Joanne walks through Barbera's uncertain origins in Piedmont, its defining style of high acidity, low to medium tannin, and bright red fruit, and the two main expressions you will encounter: a fresh, unoaked style and a more structured, barrel aged style pioneered by Giacomo Bologna in the 1980s. She also breaks down the sometimes confusing distinction between Barbera d'Asti and Barbera d'Alba, and where each fits in the region's quality hierarchy.
You'll also hear about Barbera's life beyond Piedmont, including its historical importance in California through Italian immigration, and why this grape's high acidity lets it travel and thrive in warmer climates in a way that Nebbiolo simply cannot.
What You'll Learn in This Episode
Barbera's Origins and Reputation
Uncertain parentage despite DNA fingerprinting studies
First clear written reference to Barbera in 1512
Early historical reference in Nizza Monferrato in 1609
Why high yields shaped Barbera's reputation as an everyday wine
The comparison to Carignan in the South of France
The 1986 methanol scandal and its impact on Barbera's image
Barbera's Style
Late ripening
Medium to deep color
High acidity, low to medium tannin
Red cherry, red plum, and sometimes black pepper notes
Why Barbera pairs so well with rich Piedmont food
Two Styles of Barbera
Youthful, unoaked, fresh, and fruity
Barrel aged, more concentrated, with spice and structure
Giacomo Bologna's influence after time spent in California and Burgundy
Bricco dell'Uccellone, first released in 1982
Barbera d'Asti vs Barbera d'Alba
Why Barbera d'Asti DOCG is considered higher quality
Why the best sites in Alba go to Nebbiolo instead of Barbera
Roughly 5,000 hectares planted in Barbera d'Asti
Beyond Asti and Alba
Barbera del Monferrato DOC and Barbera del Monferrato Superiore DOCG
Nizza DOCG and its long history dating to 1609
Barbera in Lombardia's Oltrepò Pavese, including sparkling styles
Smaller plantings in Emilia-Romagna
Barbera Around the World
Historical significance in California through Italian immigration
Older vines in the Sierra foothills
Plantings in Argentina, Australia, and elsewhere
Why Barbera's acidity helps it succeed in warmer climates where Nebbiolo struggles
Episode Highlights and Quotes
"Nebbiolo is the big grape, the prestigious grape, the one that makes Barolo and Barbaresco a worldwide fame."
"If you find yourself in Piedmont in July... do not order the Barolo."
"Barbera, because of its high acidity and low tannin, was absolutely perfect with these meals."
Quick Reference: Barbera d'Asti vs Barbera d'Alba
Barbera d'Asti DOCG: located in Asti and Monferrato, Barbera is the primary grape and gets the best sites, generally regarded as the higher quality expression, about 5,000 hectares planted.
Barbera d'Alba DOC: located in Alba and Langhe, the best sites go to Nebbiolo instead, which is why Barbera d'Alba has historically played second fiddle to Barbera d'Asti.
Other key zones: Barbera del Monferrato DOC, Barbera del Monferrato Superiore DOCG, and Nizza DOCG, one of the most highly regarded sites for Barbera with plantings documented as far back as 1609.
Resources Mentioned
Barbera d'Asti DOCG Barbera d'Alba DOC Barbera del Monferrato DOC and Barbera del Monferrato Superiore DOCG Nizza DOCG Giacomo Bologna, Bricco dell'Uccellone (first vintage 1982) Oltrepò Pavese, Lombardia Sierra foothills, California Carignan, South of France (mentioned as a comparison)
Coming Up Next
Episode 127: Continuing the Italian Wine Grapes Series
Joanne continues the journey through Italy's key grape varieties next week.
Connect with Wine Educate
Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/6648859973ba/newsletter - sign up for wine tips, quizzes, and episode updates delivered to your inbox every week.
Website: https://www.wineeducate.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wineeducate
Never miss an episode. Subscribe on your favourite podcast platform including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and YouTube. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review and share it with fellow wine lovers. Reviews are the best way to help other WSET students find the show.
About Wine Educate
Wine Educate is a WSET Approved Programme Provider offering internationally recognized wine certification courses. Through the podcast, Joanne Close makes wine education accessible to everyone, breaking down complex topics into practical, easy-to-understand lessons. Whether you are studying for your WSET certification or simply want to learn more about wine, you will find the guidance and knowledge you need to enjoy wine with confidence.
Episode 126 of the Wine Educate Podcast | Hosted by Joanne Close | © 2025 Wine Educate

Episode 125: Nebbiolo Grape Guide: Pale Color, High Tannin, and Aromas of Red Cherry, Rose and Dried Herbs.
Host: Joanne Close Episode Length: 12 minutes 8 seconds Release Date: August 21, 2026
Join the Wine Educate Newsletter
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Level 2 Mock Exam Bundle
If Nebbiolo is on your Level 2 grape list, this bundle is built to help you prepare with confidence. It includes practice questions modeled on the real WSET exam format, covering grape varieties, regions, and wine styles you need to know cold. Grab it below and study smarter, not just harder.
https://joanne-close.mykajabi.com/offers/xeXeiyop/checkout
Episode Description
Joanne dives into Nebbiolo, the grape she calls one of her absolute favorites, and one that listeners voted to hear about in the newsletter. She traces its ancient roots back to the year 1266, explores where its name likely comes from, and explains why this grape has such a devoted following among wine lovers and WSET students alike.
From there, Joanne walks through what makes Nebbiolo such a demanding grape to grow, why it needs the best possible vineyard sites, and what gives the wine its signature combination of pale color and towering tannin. She also tackles the popular comparison between Nebbiolo and Pinot Noir, explaining where the similarities end and why the two are not related at all.
The episode wraps up with a look at where Nebbiolo is planted around the world, why it remains so concentrated in Italy, and an introduction to Langhe Nebbiolo as an accessible way to explore the grape without the price tag of Barolo or Barbaresco.
What You'll Learn in This Episode
Origins and Naming
Nebbiolo's documented history dating back to 1266
The competing theories behind its name, including links to "noble" and to nebbia, the Italian word for fog
Why the fog theory likely refers to the grape's natural waxy bloom rather than weather
Growing Characteristics
Nebbiolo's early budding and late ripening cycle
Why frost risk and long ripening windows make site selection critical
Its preference for calcareous, limestone derived soils
Sensitivity to temperature, soil, and water availability
Typical harvest order in Piedmont, with Nebbiolo picked last, often in late October
Style and Tasting Profile
High acidity and high tannin structure
Long aging potential and affinity for oak
Primary aromas including red cherry, red plum, dried herbs, rose, and violet
Tertiary aromas that develop with age, including mushroom, tobacco, and leather
Why pale color and bricking can be misleading about tannin levels
Nebbiolo versus Pinot Noir
Shared traits like pale color, perfume, site sensitivity, and aging potential
Why the two grapes are genetically unrelated
The key palate difference, with Nebbiolo's tannin setting it apart
Where Nebbiolo Is Grown
Roughly 7,000 to 8,000 hectares planted worldwide, with about 94 percent in Italy
Small plantings found outside Italy in places like the United States, Australia, and Argentina
Hectare comparisons between Barolo and Barbaresco
An introduction to Langhe Nebbiolo, a broader DOC covering 96 municipalities, and why it can be a great value option for exploring the grape
Episode Highlights and Quotes
"This is a long time ago... it's like a little Yoda grape."
"The color of the wine and the tannin in the wine are not the same thing."
"These wines are a fraction of the price of Barolo and Barbaresco, and are a pure delight."
Quick Reference: Nebbiolo at a Glance
Style: High acidity, high tannin, long aging potential, affinity for oak
Primary aromas: Red cherry, red plum, dried herbs, rose, violet
Tertiary aromas: Mushroom, tobacco, leather
Soil preference: Calcareous, limestone derived soils
Global plantings: Approximately 7,000 to 8,000 hectares, about 94 percent in Italy
Key regions: Barolo, Barbaresco, and Langhe in Piedmont
Langhe Nebbiolo requirement: Minimum 85 percent Nebbiolo, with up to 15 percent non-aromatic red varieties permitted
Resources Mentioned
Division Winemaking Company Nightshade Nebbiolo, a Washington State example mentioned by Joanne
Episode 73 of the Wine Educate Podcast, covering Barolo and Barbaresco in more depth
Level 2 Nebbiolo quiz and Level 3 Nebbiolo essay question, available through the Wine Educate newsletter
Level 2 Mock Exam Bundle, available at https://joanne-close.mykajabi.com/offers/xeXeiyop/checkout
Coming Up Next
Episode 126: Next Episode Topic
Joanne continues working through the Level 2 grape series in the coming weeks.
Connect with Wine Educate
Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/6648859973ba/newsletter - sign up for wine tips, quizzes, and episode updates delivered to your inbox every week.
Website: https://www.wineeducate.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wineeducate
Never miss an episode. Subscribe on your favourite podcast platform including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and YouTube. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review and share it with fellow wine lovers. Reviews are the best way to help other WSET students find the show.
About Wine Educate
Wine Educate is a WSET Approved Programme Provider offering internationally recognized wine certification courses. Through the podcast, Joanne Close makes wine education accessible to everyone, breaking down complex topics into practical, easy-to-understand lessons. Whether you are studying for your WSET certification or simply want to learn more about wine, you will find the guidance and knowledge you need to enjoy wine with confidence.
Episode 125 of the Wine Educate Podcast | Hosted by Joanne Close | © 2026 Wine Educate

Episode 124: Tokaj - Climate, Grape Growing, and Noble Rot | WSET Level 3 Prep Preview
Host: Joanne Close Episode Length: 8:54 Release Date: August 13th 2026
Level 3 Prep
Looking for additional support with your WSET Level 3 studies?
Learn more about Level 3 Blueprint, Level 3 Prep, and Level 3 Prep Live here: https://www.wineeducate.com/level3prepcourse
Join the Wine Educate Newsletter
Get wine tips, episode updates, and exclusive content delivered to your inbox. Subscribe at https://mailchi.mp/6648859973ba/newsletter
Episode Description
This episode is a lesson straight from Joanne's Level 3 prep material, covering the region of Tokaj in northeastern Hungary. She walks through the climate and geography that make this region so well suited to noble rot, from the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains to the humidity generated by the Bodrog and Tisza rivers.
Joanne breaks down exactly how noble rot forms, why it is welcomed in Tokaj even though winemakers in other regions fight to keep it away, and why the combination of humid mornings and warm, sunny afternoons is essential to the process. She also explains the three main harvesting categories used in Tokaj and how they lead to different wine styles, along with the principal grape varieties, Furmint, Harslevelu, and Sarga Muskotaly, and the role each one plays in the finished wine.
If you have questions about this lesson or want to learn more about Level 3 prep, Joanne welcomes you to reach out directly by email.
What You'll Learn in This Episode
Tokaj Climate and Geography
Location in northeastern Hungary near the Slovakian border, in the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains
The spelling distinction between Tokaj (the region and city) and Tokaji (the wine)
Moderate climate with an average growing season temperature of 16.5 to 18.5 degrees Celsius
South facing hillside vineyards that capture warmth
The role of the Bodrog and Tisza rivers in generating morning humidity
Understanding Noble Rot
What Botrytis cinerea is and how it behaves differently on black versus white grapes
Why it's called gray rot when unwanted and noble rot when beneficial
How Botrytis punctures grape skins and why thin skinned grapes are more susceptible
Why both humid mornings and sunny afternoons are needed for the process to work
How dehydration concentrates acidity, flavor, and sugar in the grapes
Harvesting Categories in Tokaj
Aszu, meaning rotten, harvested berry by berry
Szarazsarbogyos, meaning as they come, harvested without sorting for botrytis
Separate harvesting of unaffected, healthy bunches
Why hand harvesting and multiple vineyard passes are required, and how this adds to production costs
Principal Grape Varieties
Furmint, the hero grape, known for high acidity and flavors ranging from apple to nuts and honey with age
Harslevelu, which contributes perfume and aromatic lift to the blend
Sarga Muskotaly, the Tokaj name for Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains, used in smaller portions for its aromatic character
Episode Highlights and Quotes
"You need both in order for Botrytis to slowly and successfully dehydrate these grapes."
"This is why hand picking is essential. Workers will go through and harvest the individual berries."
"Furmint's late ripening and susceptibility to botrytis make it ideal for aszu, and together these factors explain why Tokaj is one of the world's greatest noble rot regions."
Quick Reference: Tokaj at a Glance
Region: Tokaj, northeastern Hungary, foothills of the Carpathian Mountains
Key rivers: Bodrog and Tisza
Growing season temperature: 16.5 to 18.5 degrees Celsius
Principal grapes: Furmint, Harslevelu, Sarga Muskotaly
Harvest categories: Aszu (individually picked rotten berries), Szarazsarbogyos (as they come), and separately picked unaffected bunches
Key fungus: Botrytis cinerea, known as noble rot when beneficial
Resources Mentioned
Level 3 Prep
Looking for additional support with your WSET Level 3 studies?
Learn more about Level 3 Blueprint, Level 3 Prep, and Level 3 Prep Live here: https://www.wineeducate.com/level3prepcourse
Coming Up Next
Episode 125: Nebbiolo
Joanne returns to the Level 2 grape series with a lesson on Nebbiolo, chosen by newsletter readers as the next grape to cover.
Connect with Wine Educate
Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/6648859973ba/newsletter - sign up for wine tips, quizzes, and episode updates delivered to your inbox every week.
Website: https://www.wineeducate.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wineeducate
Never miss an episode. Subscribe on your favourite podcast platform including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and YouTube. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review and share it with fellow wine lovers. Reviews are the best way to help other WSET students find the show.
About Wine Educate
Wine Educate is a WSET Approved Programme Provider offering internationally recognized wine certification courses. Through the podcast, Joanne Close makes wine education accessible to everyone, breaking down complex topics into practical, easy-to-understand lessons. Whether you are studying for your WSET certification or simply want to learn more about wine, you will find the guidance and knowledge you need to enjoy wine with confidence.
Episode 124 of the Wine Educate Podcast | Hosted by Joanne Close | © 2025 Wine Educate