Ask anyone who has sat the WSET Level 2 Award in Wines what stayed with them, and it is rarely the textbook. It is the moment a wine they once walked past on a shelf suddenly made sense in the glass. Level 2 is where wine stops being something you drink and becomes something you understand.
So what does WSET Level 2 wine tasting actually involve? Here is what to expect once you are in the room.
In our classroom courses, we supply the wines, and there are over 40 of them across the course. That is a deliberately wide spread, chosen so you meet the styles that shape the wine world rather than a random handful.
Your tasting is led by John Callow, who founded Northern Wine School and is a WSET Certified Educator. John guides the room through each wine, pointing out what to look for and helping you compare styles as you go, so you are never left guessing what you are meant to be noticing. You can read more about John and the team on our about us page.
You will work through the principal grape varieties, the big names you see again and again, alongside regionally important ones that give a place its character. The point is not to memorise labels. It is to taste why a cool climate Chardonnay tastes so different from a warm one, and to start trusting your own palate.
The wines are poured in an order that builds your palate rather than overwhelming it. You tend to begin with crisp, dry whites, move through the more aromatic styles, then into rosé and lighter reds before you reach the fuller, more powerful wines.
By the end, you arrive at the wines that most people save for a treat. Our Level 2 lineup includes Premier and Grand Cru wines, fine dessert wines, and premium sparkling and fortified styles. For many students, this is the first time they have tasted a great sweet wine or a serious fortified wine next to everyday bottles, and the contrast is what makes the learning stick.
There is a method behind it. Level 2 teaches you the WSET Systematic Approach to Tasting, a clear and repeatable way to assess any wine by its appearance, aroma, flavour and structure.
Tasting more than 40 wines gives you the practice to use that approach with confidence. You build a vocabulary, learn to spot acidity, tannin, sweetness and body, and connect what is in the glass back to climate, soil and winemaking. If you want a head start on the language, our wine glossary is a friendly place to begin, and our essential guide to wine tasting walks you through the approach in plain English.
No, and this surprises a lot of people. The WSET Level 2 exam is a one-hour, 50-question multiple-choice paper, and you need 55% to pass. The tasting itself is not assessed at this level.
That takes the pressure off. The wines are there to build your understanding and your palate, not to catch you out. Blind tasting only becomes part of the assessment at WSET Level 3, so Level 2 is the perfect place to enjoy the tasting and learn without a clock running.
If you are brand new to all this, WSET Level 1 is a relaxed introduction to the basics. Level 2 goes much deeper, and you do not need Level 1 to start it. Once you have it, Level 3 opens up if you want to take things further into a career or a serious hobby.
Every student also gets free access to our exclusive WSET Wines study guides, which are a big reason our pass rate sits above the WSET average.
The best way to understand Level 2 is to pour the first glass. Our WSET Level 2 Award in Wines courses run in central Manchester, led by John, with online options too if you would rather study at your own pace.
Bring yourself and a sense of fun and adventure. We will bring the wine.
Browse WSET Level 2 dates or explore all our wine courses to find the right starting point.
Do I need to take Level 1 first?
No. Level 2 builds on Level 1, but you can start at Level 2 without it. It is an intermediate course, so it suits keen enthusiasts and industry professionals who already know a little about wine.
How many wines will I taste?
In the classroom course, you taste over 40 wines, which we supply. They range from everyday styles to Premier and Grand Cru wines, fine dessert wines, and premium sparkling and fortified styles.
Is there a tasting exam?
No. The Level 2 exam is a one-hour, 50-question multiple-choice paper, and you need 55% to pass. The tasting is part of your learning, not the assessment. Blind tasting begins at Level 3.
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