Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Classes

Our WSET Level 1 Online Live (virtual) classes are taught by a Capital Wine School instructor on Zoom, with an online, remotely-invigilated exam scheduled several weeks after the course (please click on “View Details & Register” in the right-hand column of the course listing to view scheduled exam dates for each course).

Registrants should access the “RI-Candidate Information” document in the FAQ section of the website under “Can I Take My WSET Exam Online” to determine if this method of exam delivery is right for you. If students have concerns about taking an online exam they may contact the Capital Wine School to request to defer their exam to one of our scheduled in-person exams.

Students will pick up their course materials by appointment prior to the course, usually on the business day before the course date (please click on “View Details & Register” in the right-hand column of the course listing to view the scheduled pickup date for each course).

Students who are unable to come to the school may request to have their course materials shipped to them for an additional fee (please click here for a copy of the school’s shipping/recording policy).

Click here to download a PDF of the Specification for the WSET Level 1 Award in Wines.

Our WSET Level 2 Online Live (virtual) 5-week courses are taught by a Capital Wine School instructor on Zoom, with an online, remotely-invigilated exam scheduled several weeks after the course (please click on “View Details & Register” in the right-hand column of the course listing to view scheduled exam dates for each course).

Registrants should access the “RI-Candidate Information” document in the FAQ section of the website under “Can I Take My WSET Exam Online” to determine if this method of exam delivery is right for you. If students have concerns about taking an online exam they may contact the Capital Wine School to request to defer their exam to one of our scheduled in-person exams.

Students will pick up their course materials by appointment prior to the course, usually on the business day before the course date (please click on “View Details & Register” in the right-hand column of the course listing to view the scheduled pickup date for each course).

Students who are unable to come to the school may request to have their course materials shipped to them for an additional fee (please click here for a copy of the school’s shipping/recording policy).

Click here to download a PDF of the Specification for the WSET Level 2 Award in Wines.

WSET Level 2 – Course Outline

Week 1: Factors influencing Style, Quality and Price; Tasting Technique

Study the factors influencing the style, quality and price of wine in the vineyard and winery. Discover how to decode and understand labels.
Learn to taste and describe wines using the WSET Systematic Approach to Tasting.

Week 2: White Grape Varieties

Learn about the characteristics and the styles of wines produced from the main white grape varieties and the regions producing them. Key white grape varieties: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc,

Riesling. Other White Grape Varieties: Albariño, Chenin Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Grigio/Gris, Semillon, Torrontés, Trebbiano, Verdicchio, Viognier. Other White Wines: Muscadet, Soave, Gavi.

Week 3: Black Grape Varieties

Learn about the characteristics and the styles of wines produced from the main black grape varieties and the regions producing them. Key black grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Shiraz. Other black grape varieties: Aglianico, Barbera, Carmenère, Gamay, Malbec, Montepulciano, Nebbiolo, Pinotage, Sangiovese, Tempranillo, Zinfandel/ Primitivo. Other red wines: Douro, Valpolicella.

Week 4: Sparkling Wines; Sweet and Fortified Wines; Food and Wine Pairing

Learn about the various methods for making Sparkling, Sweet and Fortified Wine, the resulting wine styles and the regions producing them.
Discover the key considerations when pairing food and wine successfully.

Week 5: Spirits and Liqueurs; Revision

Study the main styles of spirits Revision & Examination Preparation

Our WSET Level 3 Online Live (virtual) 10-week courses are taught by a Capital Wine School instructor on Zoom, with an in person exam at the Capital Wine School scheduled to take place several weeks after the course (please click on “View Details & Register” in the right-hand column of the course listing to view scheduled exam dates for each course).

Students will pick up their study materials and wine samples for classes 1-5 by appointment prior to the course, usually on the business day before the course date (please click on “View Details & Register” in the right-hand column of the course listing to view the scheduled pickup date for each course). A second pickup is scheduled for wine samples for classes 6-10.

Students who are unable to come to the school may request to have their course materials shipped to them for an additional fee (please click here for a copy of the school’s shipping/recording policy).

Unit 1 – Wines of the World

• Production of Wine (location, viticulture, vinification, maturation, and bottling)
• France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Central and South Eastern Europe, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, North America, South and Central America
• Still Wines
• Sparkling Wines
• Fortified (Liqueur) Wines
• This unit is evaluated by a multiple-choice paper of 50 questions and a question paper requiring short written answers.

Unit 2 – Tasting and Evaluating Wines of the World

• How to taste wines and evaluate the quality, style and price.
• Students will learn to write tasting notes by tasting and assessing 8-10 wines during each class.
• This unit is assessed by a blind tasting paper of two wines.

The exam consists of a multiple-choice paper of 50 questions, a question paper requiring short written answers, and full written tasting notes on two wines. Those who pass the exam receive the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines, an internationally recognized credential in the wine industry.

Click here to download a PDF of the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines Specification.