Exam Guide · Level 2

Level 2 Wine Certification — Complete Exam Guide

Your complete guide to passing the Level 2 wine and spirits certification exam

Exam Overview

Format: Multiple choice questions + short written answers (some providers)
Duration: Approximately 1 hour
Pass mark: 55% required to pass
Sections: 50 multiple choice questions; some providers include short written responses

Exam Structure & Tips

Multiple Choice Section (50 questions)

The majority of the Level 2 exam is multiple choice. Questions test both factual knowledge and the ability to apply concepts — for example, identifying the correct wine style given a set of conditions, or linking a winemaking technique to its outcome.

Know both the grape variety AND its classic region(s) — questions often test this link
Climate questions: always think cool vs warm and their effects on acid, alcohol, body
Winemaking technique questions: link the technique to the result in the glass
Label terminology questions (VDN, Trocken, Riserva) appear regularly
Systematic Approach to Tasting vocabulary is tested in written questions at some providers

Recommended Study Timeline

Weeks 1–2Tasting & Evaluating Wine + Viticulture + Winemaking (foundation units)

Weeks 3–4White varieties: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Chenin Blanc, Pinot Gris, aromatic whites

Weeks 5–6Red varieties: Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cab Sauv, Syrah, Grenache, Tempranillo, Gamay, Zinfandel

Weeks 7–8Italian wines, Carmenère/Malbec/Pinotage, Sparkling wines, Fortified wines

Week 9Storing and Serving Wine, Wine and Food Pairing

Week 10Full practice exams, weak areas review, tasting practice

Exam Day Tips

1.For grape variety questions, have a mental checklist: body, tannin (if red), acidity, key aromas, key regions
2.Climate questions always come down to: cool = high acid, lower alcohol; warm = lower acid, higher alcohol
3.When a question describes a wine style, work backwards to identify the grape or region
4.For winemaking questions: oak adds flavour but does not always mean quality; MLF adds creaminess and reduces acid
5.If asked about a specific appellation or label term, think about what the consumer needs to know from that label
6.Manage your time — 50 questions in 60 minutes means just over 1 minute per question

Common Exam Mistakes

✗Syrah and Shiraz are the SAME grape — many students treat them as different varieties
✗Confusing Bordeaux Left Bank (Cabernet Sauvignon) with Right Bank (Merlot)
✗Thinking Alsace Riesling is sweet — it is almost always dry
✗Forgetting that Extra Dry Champagne is sweeter than Brut — the naming is counterintuitive
✗Describing Pinot Noir as full-bodied — it is characteristically light to medium body
✗Saying Port spirit is added after fermentation — it is added DURING to stop fermentation and keep sweetness

Practice for Level 2 now

Use Vinlecta's exam simulator to practise under timed conditions — the same format as the real exam.

Level 2 Topics

Practice questions and study content for each exam unit:

Tasting and Evaluating WineSystematic Approach to Tasting (SAT)Wine and Food PairingAdvanced pairing principles Storing and Serving WineProfessional service standards ViticultureClimate, soil, canopy management WinemakingAdvanced techniques for all wine styles ChardonnayFrom Chablis to California Sauvignon BlancLoire to Marlborough RieslingGermany, Alsace, Australia Chenin Blanc, Sémillon and FurmintVouvray, Sauternes, Tokaji Pinot Grigio and Pinot GrisItalian vs Alsatian styles Gewurztraminer, Viognier and AlbariñoAromatic white varieties Pinot NoirBurgundy to New Zealand MerlotSaint-Émilion, Pomerol, Chile Cabernet SauvignonBordeaux, Napa, global Syrah and ShirazRhône to Barossa Grenache and GarnachaSouthern Rhône, Spain TempranilloRioja, Ribera del Duero GamayBeaujolais and carbonic maceration ZinfandelCalifornia, Primitivo connection Carmenère, Malbec and PinotageChile, Argentina, South Africa Italian White WinesSoave, Gavi, Pinot Grigio Italian Red Wines: PiedmontBarolo, Barbaresco, Barbera Italian Red Wines: VenetoAmarone, Ripasso, Valpolicella Sangiovese and MontepulcianoChianti, Brunello, Super Tuscans Sparkling WinesChampagne, Cava, Prosecco Fortified Wines: Sherry and PortFino, Oloroso, Ruby, Tawny, Vintage

Frequently Asked Questions

How hard is the Level 2 wine certification exam?: Level 2 is a significant step up from Level 1. The pass mark is 55% (lower than Level 1's 70%), but the content is much more detailed — covering 26 grape varieties, regional geography, labelling laws, and winemaking techniques. Most students study for 8–12 weeks and benefit greatly from regular practice questions alongside reading.
How many questions are on the Level 2 exam?: The Level 2 exam typically contains 50 multiple choice questions. The pass mark is 55% — meaning you need at least 28 correct answers. Some course providers also include short written response questions. Check with your specific provider for their exact format.
What are the hardest topics in Level 2?: Students most commonly struggle with: Italian wines (many unfamiliar varieties and appellations), German quality levels (Prädikat system), Champagne sweetness levels (counterintuitive naming), and the distinction between similar varieties like Syrah vs Grenache or Merlot vs Cabernet Sauvignon. Regular practice questions on these topics makes a significant difference.
Do I need to do a tasting as part of Level 2?: Most Level 2 providers focus on theoretical knowledge through the written exam. However, some course providers include a practical tasting component. Check with your specific provider. Developing your tasting vocabulary and practicing the Systematic Approach to Tasting (SAT) is valuable regardless, as it reinforces the theoretical knowledge.
What is the best way to study for the Level 2 grape variety questions?: For each variety, build a mental template: body, tannin (reds), acidity, key aroma descriptors, key regions, and one notable stylistic fact. Practice questions that pair varieties with regions, flavour profiles, and climate types. Flash-card style revision (or Vinlecta's spaced repetition) is very effective for grape variety knowledge.
How long does Level 2 take to study?: Most candidates complete Level 2 in 8–14 weeks studying 3–5 hours per week. That is roughly 30–60 hours total study time. The course covers 26 varieties and multiple wine regions — methodical unit-by-unit study with practice questions works better than cramming. Candidates who taste wine alongside studying tend to retain knowledge more effectively.

Other exam guides:

Level 1 Wine Certification Level 3 Wine Certification

Exam Structure & Tips

Multiple Choice Section (50 questions)

Know both the grape variety AND its classic region(s) — questions often test this link
Climate questions: always think cool vs warm and their effects on acid, alcohol, body
Winemaking technique questions: link the technique to the result in the glass
Label terminology questions (VDN, Trocken, Riserva) appear regularly
Systematic Approach to Tasting vocabulary is tested in written questions at some providers

Frequently Asked Questions

How hard is the Level 2 wine certification exam?

Level 2 is a significant step up from Level 1. The pass mark is 55% (lower than Level 1's 70%), but the content is much more detailed — covering 26 grape varieties, regional geography, labelling laws, and winemaking techniques. Most students study for 8–12 weeks and benefit greatly from regular practice questions alongside reading.

How many questions are on the Level 2 exam?

The Level 2 exam typically contains 50 multiple choice questions. The pass mark is 55% — meaning you need at least 28 correct answers. Some course providers also include short written response questions. Check with your specific provider for their exact format.

What are the hardest topics in Level 2?

Students most commonly struggle with: Italian wines (many unfamiliar varieties and appellations), German quality levels (Prädikat system), Champagne sweetness levels (counterintuitive naming), and the distinction between similar varieties like Syrah vs Grenache or Merlot vs Cabernet Sauvignon. Regular practice questions on these topics makes a significant difference.

Do I need to do a tasting as part of Level 2?

Most Level 2 providers focus on theoretical knowledge through the written exam. However, some course providers include a practical tasting component. Check with your specific provider. Developing your tasting vocabulary and practicing the Systematic Approach to Tasting (SAT) is valuable regardless, as it reinforces the theoretical knowledge.

What is the best way to study for the Level 2 grape variety questions?

For each variety, build a mental template: body, tannin (reds), acidity, key aroma descriptors, key regions, and one notable stylistic fact. Practice questions that pair varieties with regions, flavour profiles, and climate types. Flash-card style revision (or Vinlecta's spaced repetition) is very effective for grape variety knowledge.

How long does Level 2 take to study?

Most candidates complete Level 2 in 8–14 weeks studying 3–5 hours per week. That is roughly 30–60 hours total study time. The course covers 26 varieties and multiple wine regions — methodical unit-by-unit study with practice questions works better than cramming. Candidates who taste wine alongside studying tend to retain knowledge more effectively.