WSET® Level 2 Award in Wines
Course taught in English · Verona
Understanding wine beyond first impressions
Develop your wine knowledge and understand how grape variety, place and production choices influence style and quality. With JC Viens, you’ll explore wines and regions through guided tastings, connecting what you find in the glass to how the wine was made.
The course is taught in English at Atelier del Vino in Verona. It is designed for enthusiasts and professionals who want to build a firmer foundation of knowledge and a more structured approach to tasting.
What you’ll learn
- How to taste and describe wine using the WSET® Level 2 Systematic Approach to Tasting Wine.
- The principal international and regional grape varieties, where they are grown and the styles of wine they produce.
- How environment, grape-growing, winemaking and maturation influence wine style and quality.
- The production methods and characteristics of the main sparkling and fortified wines.
- How to interpret labelling terms relating to origin, style and quality.
- The principles of wine storage, service and food pairing.
Course information
Duration
The course is offered either as an intensive three-day programme or as weekly sessions. The full schedule is provided for each course.
Exam
The exam takes place six weeks after the final teaching session, allowing time for independent study and revision.
Language
Teaching, study materials and the exam are in English.
Location
Atelier del Vino, Via Mario Morgantini 2/A, Verona.
Group size
A maximum of 12 participants, allowing time for questions and discussion.
Tasting
At least 45 wines selected by JC Viens to explore different grape varieties, regions and production styles.
The fee includes
Study materials, wines for tasting and your first exam attempt.
Frequently asked questions — Level 2
It will help you navigate grape varieties, regions and wine labels, compare different wines and make more informed choices about what to buy or order. If you work in hospitality or wine retail, you’ll be better equipped to explain differences between wines and suggest alternatives based on a customer’s preferences.
It provides a foundation for broadening your own wine choices, working with wine more confidently or progressing to WSET Level 3.
AIS and FISAR offer programmes leading to a sommelier diploma, covering tasting, wine service and food pairing. WSET Level 2 places an international perspective at its core: it explores grape varieties and regions worldwide through a common framework, helping you understand and compare wines from different origins.
It is a standalone course with a standardised syllabus and exam, leading to an internationally recognised qualification. It connects place and production to wine style and quality, alongside a systematic approach to tasting. Studying in English on our course also develops vocabulary for communicating with international clients and colleagues.
It does not confer the title of sommelier. It is designed for enthusiasts and professionals who want to broaden their horizons beyond Italian wine and navigate the world’s wines with confidence.
No. WSET Level 1 is not an entry requirement for Level 2. You can start directly at this level without previous qualifications, provided you are willing to devote time to independent study.
If you’re new to wine, reading the textbook before classes begin will help you become familiar with the topics. If you’re unsure which level is right for you, contact us before enrolling.
At Atelier del Vino, WSET Level 2 is taught entirely in English, including the study materials and exam. You should be able to follow explanations, study the textbook and understand multiple-choice questions. No written prose answers are required; wine terminology is developed throughout the course.
Studying in English helps you describe wine and think through the concepts directly in the language, preparing you to progress to Level 3 in English. The WSET Level 3 qualification is not currently available in Italian.
If you’re unsure about your English, contact us before enrolling: we can help you assess whether the course is suitable for you.
Yes. We’ll send you the WSET textbook in advance and ask you to read it before classes begin, so you can become familiar with the topics and wine terminology in English.
During the course, we’ll explore the material through explanations, guided tastings and discussion. Independent study is an essential part of the programme: the six weeks between the final teaching session and the exam give you time to consolidate what you’ve learned and prepare for the assessment.
The exam takes place six weeks after the final teaching session and is in English. It consists of 50 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 60 minutes, without consulting your textbook or notes. A minimum mark of 55% is required to pass.
There are no written prose answers or a practical tasting exam.
WSET Level 3 is the next step towards understanding how and why wines develop particular characteristics. It involves more detailed study, explaining the factors that influence style and quality, and assessing wines through structured tasting.
If you’d like to continue, we can discuss your preparation and the commitment required at the end of the course, helping you choose the right time to progress.
WSET Information & Policies
Read our course FAQs and policies for information about enrolment, payments, cancellations, accessibility and exam procedures.