WSET Level 2 Wine Tasting Methodology Guide
Master the professional wine evaluation system used by sommeliers worldwide
The WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) Level 2 methodology provides a systematic approach to wine tasting that helps develop consistent evaluation skills. This professional framework is used by sommeliers, wine professionals, and serious wine enthusiasts to analyze wines objectively.
1. Wine Information
Start by recording basic wine details: producer name, vintage year, grape variety, region, and alcohol percentage. This context information helps frame your tasting analysis and provides reference for future comparisons.
2. Appearance Analysis
Examine the wine's visual characteristics including intensity, color (for reds: purple, ruby, garnet; for whites: lemon, gold, amber), and clarity. Look at the wine against a white background in good lighting to assess these qualities accurately.
3. Nose Evaluation
Assess the wine's aroma intensity and identify specific scent characteristics. Note fruit aromas, floral notes, spice, oak, or other secondary aromas. Swirl the glass to release more aromatics and evaluate how the nose develops.
4. Palate Assessment
Evaluate the wine's taste, texture, and structure. Consider sweetness, acidity, tannin levels (for reds), body, intensity, and finish length. Note how the wine feels in your mouth and how long the flavors persist after swallowing.
Step-by-Step Process
Set up your tasting environment
Use a clean wine glass in good lighting, preferably natural light. Have a white background and water for rinsing between wines.
Record wine information
Note the producer, vintage, grape variety, region, and alcohol percentage before you begin tasting.
Analyze appearance
Hold the glass at a 45-degree angle against a white background. Assess intensity, color, and clarity.
Evaluate the nose
Gently swirl the wine and inhale. Identify aroma intensity and specific scent characteristics.
Assess the palate
Take a sip and let the wine cover your palate. Evaluate structure, intensity, and finish length.
Draw conclusions
Determine wine quality, readiness for drinking, and aging potential based on your systematic analysis.
Practice with VinoMemo
Put your knowledge into practice with VinoMemo's structured wine tasting templates. Our WSET methodology guides make it easy to record professional-quality tasting notes.