🍇 Effective (& Fun) Tips to Crush WSET Levels 1 & 2

Lee Romano Sequeira
Apr 21
3 min read

If you’ve decided to dive into the world of wine with a WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) course—cheers to you!

Whether you’re just starting with Level 1 or already swirling your way through Level 2, you’re in for a tasty adventure filled with grapes, geography, and just the right amount of tannin.

But let’s be real: it’s not all sipping and swirling. There’s studying involved (gasp!), and if you want to feel confident come exam day, a few smart strategies can make all the difference. So, pour yourself a glass (study fuel, obviously), and let’s get into some upbeat, effective, and yes—even fun—tips for WSET success.

🍇 WSET Level 1: Start Simple, Stay Sassy

Level 1 is your delicious intro into wine world. It’s approachable, digestible, and kind of like wine kindergarten—but with better snacks.

1. Use Your Senses

WSET loves a good sensory moment. So practice tasting mindfully. Use the SAT (Systematic Approach to Tasting) even when you’re enjoying a casual glass at dinner. Say it with me: Look, Smell, Taste—and throw in a swirl for dramatic flair.

2. Flashcards Are Your Friends

You’ll need to remember grape names (hello, Sauvignon Blanc), key wine styles, and basic food pairings. Flashcards make it easy—and you can quiz yourself over a cheese plate. Win-win.

3. Watch Wine Videos

YouTube is full of quick vids on the basics. Look for short explainers on common grapes and styles. Some are so charming, you won’t even realize you’re learning. My favorite online teacher is Petar Velickovic of Thirsty and Wise.

4. Use Wine Labels as Study Tools

When you’re at the store, turn that bottle around. Where’s it from? What grape? Is it dry or sweet? Level 1 is about understanding the basics, and labels are mini lessons in a bottle.

🍷 WSET Level 2: Let’s Get Grape Nerdy

Now things get real. Level 2 brings in regions, climate influences, wine laws—and suddenly, you’re using words like “continental climate” and “lees aging” like a total boss.

1. Map It Out

Geography matters. Print out a blank world wine map and color-code regions as you study them. Bonus points for stickers or glitter pens. (Hey, whatever helps you remember Burgundy vs. Bordeaux.)

2. Group Study = Wine Club with a Purpose

Team up with fellow students and do blind tastings together. Not only does it make studying more social (and less dry—pun intended), but it helps train your palate and sharpen your SAT skills.

3. Make Grape Profiles

Create one-page cheat sheets for each grape.

Include:

Where it’s grown
What it tastes like
Typical style (dry, oaked, sparkling, etc.)
Food pairings: Stick them on your fridge.

4. Use Mnemonics + Silly Sayings

Remembering the main French wine regions? Try a phrase like: “Loud Boys Buy Rhone Socks” (Loire, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhône, South of France). It might not make sense—but that’s the point.

5. Practice, Don’t Just Memorize

Understanding why a cool climate Pinot Noir tastes different from a warm climate Shiraz is key. Try tasting wines side by side. Think of it like your own private wine lab.

📚 Bonus Tips for Both Levels

Take Practice Quizzes: WSET-style multiple choice questions help lock in the info—and get you familiar with how the exam feels.
Teach What You Learn: Tell a friend or partner about what you studied today. Explaining it out loud helps solidify your understanding (and they’ll be impressed).
Stay Consistent: Even 15 minutes a day goes a long way. Wine study is better in sips than gulps.

🎉 Final Sip of Encouragement

WSET isn’t just about passing an exam—it’s about deepening your love and understanding of wine. And the more you learn, the more fun drinking wine becomes (as if it wasn’t already fun enough).

So stay curious, keep tasting, and remember: you’ve got this. You’re not just studying wine—you’re becoming part of a global community of wine lovers and explorers.

Now go review your notes… and maybe open something tasty while you're at it. 🍷😉

Want more wine tips, tricks, and sassy study guides? Let me know what you're looking for!

P.S. Huge thanks to my amazing instructor, Kasia White at Capital Wine School, and my awesome online study buddy—I passed my WSET Level 2 with distinction! I’m so excited and can’t wait to dive into Level 3!