Welcome to our guide to the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Level 2 in Wines. WSET Level 2 in Wine is a great place to start for anyone wanting an thorough introduction to wine. Whether you are a budding wine expert or already working in the wine industry it is a great qualification In this guide we’ll help you to navigate the details of the qualification and decide if it is the right one for you.
The introduction to wine course gives you a solid introduction to the world of wine. Over the duration of the course you’ll be cover a range of varieties and be taken on a tour of the key winemaking areas of the world.
If you are new to wine it may be worth starting with the Level 1 Award in Wines.
WSET Level 2 Award in Wines – Syllabus
The WSET Level 2 in wines covers six main topics:
Environmental Influences and Grape growing
This forms the learning outcome 1. You will learn about:
- The parts of the grape
- The main stages of grape growing
- The requirements of the vine
- How climate affects the grape growing and wine
- How labeling of wine bottles relates to the origin and style of the wine produced.
Winemaking and Bottle Ageing
This forms the learning outcome 2. You will learn about:
- The key stages of the fermentation process
- The key stages of the winemaking process
- How winemaking decisions can effect the quality and style of the end product
- What happens as a wine matures in the bottle
Factors influencing style and quality
This forms the learning outcome 3. You will learn about:
- Characteristics of the key grape varieties
- How the climate, environment, winemaking options and bottle ageing affect the wine
- An introduction to the key labeling terms of wines from key regions
- How wine styles and quality changes across regions and classifications
Regionally Important Varieties – Key Wine Regions
This forms the learning outcome 4. You will learn about:
- The characteristics of important wines from certain regions
- How labeling indicates the quality of these wines
- Key labeling terms
Sparkling and Fortified Wines
This forms the learning outcome 6. You will learn about:
- The key varieties of sparkling wines
- How winemaking processes change vary for different sparkling and fortified wines
- The labeling of such wines and how it indicates quality levels
Storage and Service of Wine
This forms the learning outcome 3. You will learn about:
- The ideal conditions for storing wine.
- Common wine faults and how to identify them
- How to open still and sparkling wine and the key principles of wine service
- An introduction to food and wine pairing and what to look out for.
WSET Level 2 Award in Wines – Teaching
You’ll need to register for the course with an approved WSET course provider. Depending on the teaching method that you choose this may involve two full day course or it could be broken up across multiple days or weeks. There is a minimum of 16 hours of classroom time and a recommended 11 additional hours of personal study time.
WSET Level 2 Award in Wines – Examination
The level 2 exam takes the form of a closed book, multiple choice exams. There are 50 questions in total and you will have 60 minutes to complete the exam. The 50 questions will be split across the learning outcomes as follows: 5 will relate to grape growing; 4 will relate to winemaking and bottle ageing; 19 will relate to principal grape varieties; 12 will relate to important wine regions; 6 will relate to sparkling and fortified wine, and 4 will relate to wine storage and service.
You’ll need a minimum score of 55% (28/50) in order to pass the examination.
Assuming you have studied, there most people find there is ample time to complete the examination. To help you gain some experience with the exam we’ve put together timed mock exams for the level 2 in wine exam.
Prerequisites for Entry
There are no prerequisites for registration onto the course. If you are new to wine it may be worth considering starting with the WSET Level 1 in Wines qualification.
Candidates who are below the local legal drinking age are allowed to take the examination, but will not be allowed to take part in the classroom wine tasting.
WSET Level 2 in Wine – Conclusion
The WSET Level 2 in Wines is a qualification for wine enthusiasts and those on the cutting edge of wine service. It provides you a solid knowledge base and gives you exposure to a wide range of wines from around the world. Whether you’re a wine enthusiast or a budding wine professional, the level 2 exam will give you a great base of wine knowledge.