5 Best Online Study Resources for WSET & CSW Exams

Candidates preparing for the Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) exam through the Society of Wine Educators, or for WSET Levels 2 and 3, get expert preparation as students of the Napa Valley Wine Academy. But study methods are personal, and a wealth of resources exists to supplement your NVWA coursework between courses and after certification.

The five resources below won't replace your WSET courses or study tools, but they're worth adding to your rotation — including one of our own. Some offer networking with other students and a chance to compare study strategies; others show the depth of content expected once you're past WSET Level 3.

1. Premier Crew™ Membership

If you want structured practice between courses instead of studying alone, Premier Crew is NVWA's own membership for continuing your wine education after a certification ends.

Members get monthly live Tasting Labs led by DipWSET-level instructors, on-demand learning videos and wine documentaries, and study tools spanning WSET Level 1 through the Level 4 Diploma — plus ten on-demand regional and specialty courses (Bordeaux, Champagne, Napa Valley, Oregon, and more) included at no extra cost.

It's built for exactly the gap this list is meant to fill: staying sharp and building tasting confidence between formal courses, with expert feedback instead of just self-study. Membership starts at $29.99/month, or $299/year for two months free.

2. Regional Marketing Organizations

One of the best ways to get up-to-date information on the rules governing world-class wine regions is to visit their official marketing portals. These sites exist primarily to drive sales in markets like the U.S. — but they've become excellent free study resources for students in the process.

Good examples: Vins de Loire's appellation pages for easily digestible regional summaries, Wines of Germany's guide to reading a German wine label, and Bordeaux Wines' breakdown of its classification systems.

3. Facebook Study Group for the Court of Master Sommeliers Exams

NVWA doesn't offer courses leading to Court of Master Sommeliers certification, but that doesn't mean our students can't benefit from this active, open Facebook group.

The group runs frequent quizzes to help members test their knowledge before sitting for exams, and questions posted there — from telling a Sancerre apart from a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc to finding good resources on Spanish and Italian wine — tend to get real answers from other serious students. If you're stuck on a concept, this is often where clarity shows up.

4. GuildSomm's LinkedIn Group

A CSW or WSET credential will help build your wine career — and so will an updated LinkedIn profile paired with membership in GuildSomm's official LinkedIn group.

The group features posts from wine industry influencers, job listings, and study notes shared by other candidates preparing for wine exams. Networking opportunities included.

5. GuildSomm

GuildSomm International (formerly the Guild of Sommeliers) was founded in 2003 by Master Sommeliers Fred Dame and Jay Fletcher.

Its educational modules go beyond what's required for CSW or WSET Levels 2 and 3, making them worth exploring both for their professionalism and as a preview of what you'll need to know if you pursue WSET Level 4 Diploma or CWE credentials down the road.

Most content requires membership — current plans start around $120/year (or $15/month), so check guildsomm.com for the latest pricing. The exception: their podcast library is free for anyone.

Keep Building Your Study Toolkit

These five resources are a strong supplement to structured coursework, but nothing replaces expert instruction and real feedback on your tasting technique. Explore NVWA's WSET certification courses, study tools, and one-on-one coaching to round out your exam prep.

Photo courtesy of UNLV Continuing Education.