WSET Level 2 Wines ยท Exam guide
What's on the WSET Level 2 Award in Wines exam
Level 2 is where WSET wine study gets serious: more questions, more regions, and grades above a simple pass.
The WSET Level 2 Award in Wines builds on the basics of Level 1. You are expected to name and describe the main grape varieties, know where important wines come from, and explain how production choices shape what ends up in the glass.
Format
The exam is 50 multiple-choice questions, to be completed in one hour. It is a closed-book paper. You need 55% to pass. Grades are Pass (55-69%), Pass with Merit (70-84%) and Pass with Distinction (85% or more). Results typically arrive about four weeks after the exam, and successful candidates receive a digital certificate.
What it covers
WSET's course information lists these areas:
- the WSET Systematic Approach to Tasting Wine, a structured way to describe appearance, nose and palate and to reach conclusions about quality;
- the principal grape varieties, such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Syrah/Shiraz, plus a longer list of regionally important varieties;
- a large set of geographical indications (named wine regions and appellations) from around the world;
- sparkling and fortified wines and how they are made;
- labelling terms, storage and service, and food and wine pairing.
Courses also include guided tasting of many wines, although online-only courses may leave tasting to you.
How much time to plan
WSET lists about 16 hours of guided learning plus a minimum of 11 hours of private study, so plan on at least 28 hours in total. Most people find the region and label material the hardest to retain, so give it more than a last-minute read.
Note: exam details below were checked against WSET's published course information in October 2026. WSET can change formats, so confirm the current specification and your provider's rules before you sit the exam.
How Cellar Prep fits in
Cellar Prep's Level 2 Wines module is a bank of original practice questions across these topics. It does not replace your course or your textbook. Use it after each topic to find the gaps and again in the final week under timed conditions. Our wine glossary has region maps for France, Italy and the US West Coast.
Ready to test yourself?
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