WSET Level Two Course

This is a wine course designed for beginners to intermediate wine lovers. For individuals seeking a core understanding of wines, this three-day course explores the major grape varieties and important wine regions in which they are grown. You’ll learn about the styles of wines produced from these grapes as well as key classifications and labelling terminology. A basic overview of the key categories of spirits and liqueurs is also be provided. Upon successful completion you will receive a WSET certificate and lapel pin, and will be able to use the associated WSET certified logo.

That's the formal description, but what does this mean in practical terms? I'm so glad you asked! I love Level Two - this is where wine really gets to be fun. 

WSET Level Two is offered over two weekends, giving you three days of intensive class review and tasting without interrupting the business week, three full days of exploring the nuances of wine and wine tasting. This also gives you a five-day break in the middle of the course to put into practice what you've learned, to hone your tasting skills and, best of all, to practice tasting. Of course, you should also work in a little study time as well to ensure you pass the exam on the final day, leading to your official WSET Certification. The experience is more than the sum of its parts, as the textbook and coursework are amplified by the real-world application of concepts and flavors of the tastings.

Who is this class for?

The Level 2 Award in Wines (to use the course's official name) naturally follows from the foundation in wine provided in the Level One course. While we recommend taking Level 1 so you have a solid grounding in the WSET Systematic Approach to Tasting, it is not an absolute requirement. If you have been drinking wine for a while and feel comfortable with the basics, by all means start with Level 2. There is no prerequisite for this course.

For the amateur wine lover and the hospitality professional alike, the three Level Two classes are entertaining as well as informative and include a diverse array of students. Typically, our Level Two courses include an equal number of passionate consumers and people from the hospitality industry and the beverage trade. Level Two is the ideal place for the wine lover already familiar with the basics of wine and wine tasting to gain solid technical knowledge and tasting experience that just cannot be picked up by reading magazine articles and books. In addition to the tutor-guided tastings and course work, you have the added benefit of interactions with your classmates, making this a significantly better option for learning than interactive online sessions.

Why take a class?

WSET recently revised the Level Two program and, to my mind, it’s better than ever with a greatly enhanced workbook, a highly readable text book and a wonderful tasting program. Fine Vintage, Ltd offers you far more wine tasting opportunities than the WSET-mandated minimum: we’ll taste 48 wines together over the three days of classes. I've found that tasting this range of wines with a knowledgeable tutor is an excellent way to get a real fix on one of the WSET program's strongest elements, structured tasting. This can't easily be learned in a self-study program or online; it can only be truly understood as part of a series of interactive tastings. 

One of the reasons to take a WSET course from Fine Vintage, Ltd. is to get a dependable framework for tasting, a system on which you can rely no matter what wine you are sampling and whether the aromas and flavors are familiar or new to you. I encourage you to register early so you have time to read through the text a couple of times. By the time you come to class, you’ll be ready to finely hone your tasting skills as well as your knowledge of what different wines taste like, and why they taste different.

Over the three days of the Level Two course, we'll make an extensive exploration of

• Growing grapes

• Making and maturing wine

• The art of tasting in detail using WSET's Structured Approach to Tasting

• Food and wine matching

• The classic grape varieties with detailed comparative tastings highlighting the same grape in wine from different regions (chardonnay from warm and cool climates, for example)

• An in-depth look at the wines of France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Portugal, as well as,

• New World wine regions including the U.S., Australia, New Zealand and South America

• Sparkling and Fortified wines

The final hour of the course is given over to a comprehensive examination that, when passed, entitles you to the Level Two Award in Wines, a highly coveted certification within the hospitality industry. Passing the exam and gaining a Level Two certification is a serious accomplishment. It's not an easy exam, which is why you want to register early so you can read over the materials before class, and then study the material in an environment with a proven record of success. Fine Vintage, Ltd. is the most successful WSET provider in North America, with a Level Two pass rate of 97%... Just sayin'!

At Fine Vintage, Ltd, we pride ourselves not only on the number of wines we taste, but especially the quality of the wines offered. You won't learn a lot by tasting a mass-produced cabernet sauvignon off the grocery store shelf, but having a skilled tutor help you compare a classified Left Bank Bordeaux with a high-end Napa or Sonoma Cab (as we do in our course) allows you to pick up some amazing insights. Looking to really polish your wine and spirits knowledge and tasting skills? To my mind, this is without question the best place to do it - we take the time (eight hours more than the WSET minimum) and no one is pouring better wine. Besides, the class is great fun and you’ll enjoy the company of other wine lovers as well!

A Sense of Urgency

Remember, the course reinforces and expands on what is in the text book, it is not a replacement for the text book! And by the same token, no book can develop your tasting skills the way a series of tasting sessions with a qualified tutor can. The two elements work together.

As we have seen in several courses, classes do fill up. We keep the group relatively small to maximize the interactive aspect of learning about wine, so book your space while there is room. Once we reach the maximum class size, the course is closed. Don't miss your chance for a Level Two certification through a great tasting and learning experience with like-minded wine lovers. 

Upcoming dates for the Fine Vintage, Ltd. WSET Level Two course with Lyn Farmer:

WSET Level 2 in Augusta, GA

August 11, 24 & 25, 2024

Fine Vintage’s next three-day Level 2 course in Atlanta starts August 11, 2024, then continues on August 24 and 25 to give you a good study break between the first day and the final weekend and exam. Our experience is once immersed in the materials, students want extra study time. Class begins at 9:30 am each day and wraps up by 5:30 pm.

Please note that in order to give you sufficient time to read through the text and be fully prepared before the first class, we advise you register well in advance - enjoy the text at a leisurely pace and you will dramatically improve your chance for success on the exam!

Our Augusta courses are offered at Cork & Flame restaurant in Evans. Click the button below to go directly to the Augusta course page on the Fine Vintage, Ltd. website

WSET Level 2 in Miami

Course dates: October 27 & 28, 2023 (Friday and Saturday)

Just in time to add some romance to your wine knowledge before holiday entertaining, I’ll be leading a Level 2 course at the Miami Culinary Institute in Downtown Miami for the team at Florida Wine Academy. This is a highly course description you can complete in two days. This is a great starting point if you are already familiar with the basics of wine, or an excellent continuation of skills picked up in Level 1 (but remember, Level 1 is not a prerequisite - Level 2 is a great starting point for people who already have a working knowledge of wine).

Click below to go the Florida Wine Academy website in a new window: