Wines: Looking behind the label
Take it up a notch with the WSET Level 2 Award in Wines, our most popular course. You will explore key grape varieties and wine styles from around the globe.
Gain an understanding of the world’s principal and regionally important grape varieties, the regions where they are grown, and the styles of wine they produce. You will explore the factors that impact style and quality and learn how to describe these wines with confidence. Plus, you will get hands-on with the Systematic Approach to Tasting Wine® (SAT), making each sip a learning experience.
Who is this course aimed at
WSET’s Level 2 Award in Wines is a beginner- to intermediate-level qualification exploring wines, suitable for industry professionals and wine enthusiasts. Level 2 is ideal for the student with some level of wine knowledge. This course suits people employed across a broad spectrum of the hospitality and drinks industry, who wants to expand their international wine knowledge and have an internationally recognised qualification form a global leader in wine education or lay the groundwork for becoming a sommelier.
What you will learn
- How to taste and describe wine using the WSET Level 2 Systematic Approach to Tasting Wine® (SAT)
- How environmental factors, grape-growing, winemaking and maturation options influence the style and quality of wines made from eight principal grape varieties produced from across the world:
- Chardonnay
- Pinot Grigio/Gris
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Riesling
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot
- Pinot Noir
- Syrah/Shiraz
- The style and quality of wines:
- made from 22 regionally important grape varieties
- produced in over 70 geographical indications (GIs) around the world
- How grape varieties and winemaking processes influence key styles of:
- Sparkling wines
- Fortified wines
- Key labelling terms used to indicate origin, style and quality
- Principles and processes involved in the storage and service of wine
- Principles of food and wine pairing
Course delivery
This qualification has a minimum requirement of 28 hours of study time
16 hours of delivery time with a WSET course provider
12 hours of personal study and revision
Assessment
This course assessment is by a closed-book examination of 50 multiple-choice questions.
This qualification is regulated by Ofqual.
Pass Mark 55%
Pass with Distinction 85% and above
Pass with Merit 70% to 84%
Fail 45% to 54%
Fail unclassified 44% and below
On successful completion of the examination you will receive a WSET certificate, a blue lapel pin, and will be able to use the associated WSET certified logo.
Entry requirements
There are no entry requirements for this qualification. You must be of legal drinking age in the country where you are attending the course to participate in any alcohol tasting. However, this is not a barrier to successfully completing the qualification.
What does your course fee include
- The course will be hosted in person with a WSET certified educator
- Your course guidebook: Wines: Looking behind the label
- The exam fee
- All tasting wines and the sample food pairings
- A WSET certificate and a blue WSET lapel pin when you pass
- All courier cost for course material, exams to London and to deliver your certificate and pin