Online WSET Level 2 Award in Wines Weekend Afternoons

This introductory level qualification course provides a structured exploration of the world of wine and is suitable for both wine industry professionals and wine enthusiasts. 

You do not have to first complete Level 1 - you can jump in straight at this level (Level 2) if you like.

Individuals on this course will gain knowledge of the principal and regionally important grape varieties of the world and the styles of wine they produce. Through a combination of tasting and theory, candidates will explore the factors that impact style and quality and learn how to describe wines with confidence.

What the course covers:

- Wine tasting: You will learn how to taste and describe wines using the WSET Systematic Approach to Tasting (SAT)
- Food and wine pairing: You will learn the principles of food and wine pairing
- Wine service and storage: You will learn the correct way to store and serve wine and how to recognise common faults found in wine
- Labelling: You will learn how to decode and understand wine labels
- Factors influencing the style of wine: You will explore how environmental factors, grape-growing, vineyard and maturation options influence the style and quality of the wines made all over the world
- Grape varieties:  You'll learn about the styles of wines produced by the key international red and white grape varieties (Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Syrah/Shiraz) as well as the styles of wines made with 22 regionally important grape varieties grown in 70 wine regions (GI's) around the world
- Sparkling and Fortified wines: You will be taught how grape varieties and winemaking processes influence the style of wines in these two key wine categories
The WSET Level 2 Award in Wines has full accreditation from OfQual as a Level 2 Vocational Qualification

No prior wine knowledge is required, however the course builds upon the WSET Level 1 Award in Wines, which may be a suitable place to begin for some people. We recommend you read the course specification document before you sign up for the course to help you decide whether a shorter more simple introduction or a more comprehensive one would suit you best. You can read this document by clicking here.

Course format:

- Saturday afternoons for 4x weekends 

Saturday 10th April: 1pm-3pm + 4pm-6pm

Saturday 17th April: 1pm-3pm + 4pm-6pm

Saturday 24th April: 1pm-3pm + 4pm-6pm

Saturday 1st May: 1pm-3pm + 4pm-6pm 
- The Level 2 Award in Wines online course covers the same syllabus as the classroom course and is delivered in LIVE virtual lessons by Laura
- Students receive a complete WSET Level 2 Award in Wines course study pack comprising the course book (a comprehensive guide to the wines of the world 'Behind the Label'), study guide with maps and example questions and forms for your own tasting notes, laminated 'Systematic Approach To Tasting' card
- 16 hours online tuition (8 x 2 hour sessions) and recommended minimum of 12 hours additional home study
- Tutored tasting of 12 wines on the course (for more details see below)
- You'll receive access to additional practice multiple-choice revision questions specific to this course
- You will be sent details of how to join your LIVE sessions when you book

Please note a reliable broadband connection is essential for the completion of this online course as is basic computer skills.

Examination

To obtain the WSET Level 2 Award in Wines Qualification, you will need to successfully pass the exam. The exam is made up of 50 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 1 hour. A mark of 55% is required to pass the exam.

The exam may be taken online at a date convenient to you or it can be taken on selected dates at Yorkshire Wine School in central Leeds, at the same time as our in-person classroom courses.

Course Schedule & Important Dates:

Registration Deadline: Wednesday 31st March

We may be able to accommodate you after this deadline, please contact us directly if you wish to register late.

The course fee includes: 

- All WSET course materials posted to you at no extra charge including; Looking Behind the Label course manual, Study Guide, specification and SAT Tasting Card
- Case of 12 wines to be tasted as part of the course (listed below)
- 8 x LIVE virtual, interactive sessions taught by Laura Kent, Head WSET Tutor at the Wine School
- Exclusive access to practice multiple choice questions
- Internationally recognised WSET qualification, certificate and pin for those who pass the exam

Course Wines:

Your course fee includes delivery of a case of 12 bottles of wine, specially selected by Laura, to taste along with throughout the course. You’ll be sent-

Italian Pinot Grigio

Chianti Classico

New Zealand Pinot Noir

German Riesling

½ bottle of Sauternes

Californian Chardonnay

New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc

Bordeaux Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon

Australian Shiraz

Cotes du Rhone

½ bottle of Rioja Crianza

½ bottle of Valpolicella

If ordered online, individually, this case would cost £150, we have obtained a special discounted rate as we buy it in bulk, the cost of the wine is included in the course cost. We’ll arrange for it to be shipped to you in the week before your course begins.

We have secured an optional extra ‘top-up’ box of 4 more wines which can be purchased at the special price of £47.50 (RRP £51.50). These additional wines are not considered vital to the course instruction but would enable you to taste 2 wines on each evening of the course, including comparing Prosecco and Champagne ½ bt. on the final evening. You will have the chance to add this top up box to your basket just before checkout. 

Special Educational Needs:

Please make the school aware, at the time of booking, if you have a condition which may mean that you will qualify for additional help during the exam such as dyslexia.

We look forward to starting our course with you on Zoom! Your link to both the Zoom classroom and our shared Dropbox Folder with additional homework questions will be shared with you in the run up to the first day.