WSET Level 1 Study Guide — Award in Wines
Complete WSET Level 1 study guide with key topics, exam tips, cheatsheet, and a free 50-question mock test. Everything you need to pass.
Qualification
Award in Wines
Study Time
~6 hours
Exam Format
30 MCQs
Pass Mark
70%
What Is WSET Level 1?
The WSET Level 1 Award in Wines is the entry point into the world’s most recognised wine qualification framework. Designed for absolute beginners, it covers the main types and styles of wine, the principal grape varieties, basic winemaking, storage and service, and food pairing. It is ideal for hospitality professionals, curious consumers, and anyone exploring whether a career in wine is right for them.
The certificate never expires and is recorded on the WSET global alumni database.
Syllabus Overview
The Level 1 syllabus covers five core areas:
- Types and styles of wine — still (dry to sweet, light to full-bodied), sparkling (Champagne, Prosecco, Cava), and fortified (Port, Sherry)
- Principal grape varieties — five white (Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Muscat) and five red (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah/Shiraz, Tempranillo)
- How wine is made — fermentation basics, red vs. white production, oak ageing, sparkling and fortified methods
- Storage and service — ideal temperatures (6-18°C range), common wine faults (cork taint, oxidation)
- Food and wine pairing — match weight, consider acidity, respect sweetness, work with tannin
White grape varieties in detail
- Chardonnay — most versatile white grape. Lean and citrusy in cool climates (Chablis), tropical and buttery when oaked (Napa Valley, Australia). Know oaked vs. unoaked styles.
- Sauvignon Blanc — intensely aromatic with grassy, gooseberry, lime notes. Loire Valley (flinty, mineral) vs. Marlborough (explosive tropical). Almost always unoaked, high acidity.
- Pinot Grigio — light-bodied, easy-drinking with lemon and apple notes. Northern Italy is the benchmark style.
- Riesling — high acidity, lime, peach, green apple aromas. Can be dry or sweet. Develops a petrol note with age. Germany and Alsace are key regions.
- Muscat — the most obviously grapey wine. Fresh grape, orange blossom, rose petal aromas. Often sweet and lightly sparkling (Moscato d’Asti).
Red grape varieties in detail
- Cabernet Sauvignon — full-bodied, firm tannins, blackcurrant, cedar, green pepper. Bordeaux Left Bank and Napa Valley. Excellent ageing potential.
- Merlot — softer and rounder than Cabernet. Medium to full body, plum, chocolate flavours. Bordeaux Right Bank and Chile.
- Pinot Noir — light to medium body, silky tannins, cherry, strawberry, earthy complexity. Burgundy, Oregon, Central Otago. Also used in Champagne.
- Syrah/Shiraz — bold, full-bodied, blackberry, black pepper, spice. Peppery and structured in the Northern Rhone; richer and fruit-forward in Australia’s Barossa Valley.
- Tempranillo — Spain’s signature grape. Medium to full body, cherry, plum, leather, vanilla. Rioja (American oak ageing) and Ribera del Duero.
Storage, service temperatures, and wine faults
Storage: Keep bottles at 10-15°C, away from light and vibration, on their side if cork-sealed.
Serving temperatures:
- Sparkling: 6-10°C
- Light whites and rosés: 7-10°C
- Full-bodied whites: 10-13°C
- Light reds: 12-14°C
- Full-bodied reds: 15-18°C
Common faults:
- Cork taint (TCA) — musty, wet-cardboard smell
- Oxidation — flat, stale taste, brownish colour
Food and wine pairing principles
- Match weight — light wine with light food, full-bodied wine with rich food
- Acidity — high-acid wines (Sauvignon Blanc) cut through fatty and oily dishes
- Sweetness — wine should be at least as sweet as the food
- Tannin — pairs well with protein and fat (red wine + steak), clashes with oily fish
- Flavour bridges — herbaceous wine with herb-forward dishes, spicy Syrah with peppery lamb
Exam Day
The exam is a closed-book, 30-question multiple-choice test with 45 minutes to complete. You need 21/30 (70%) to pass. There is no tasting component. Expect heavy emphasis on grape varieties, several questions on food pairing, and a handful on storage, service, and winemaking.
Study Tips
- Grape varieties first — the most heavily tested topic. Use flashcards for each grape’s body, aromas, and key regions
- Temperature ladder — memorise from coldest (sparkling) to least chilled (full-bodied reds)
- Pairing logic — internalise the principles rather than memorising specific pairings
- Don’t neglect wine faults and winemaking — easy marks once reviewed
- Practice tests — review every question (even correct ones) and aim for 80%+ before exam day
What Comes After Level 1
Level 1 opens the door to WSET Level 2, which covers 20+ grape varieties, global wine regions, and the Systematic Approach to Tasting. Beyond that, Level 3 introduces analytical reasoning and blind tasting, and the Level 4 Diploma is a postgraduate-level programme considered the gateway to the Master of Wine.
Frequently Asked Questions
WSET Level 1 Award in Wines is a beginner-level qualification that introduces the main styles and types of wine, key grape varieties, and the basics of food and wine pairing, storage, and service.
WSET Level 1 is designed for complete beginners. The exam is 30 multiple-choice questions with a 70% pass mark. Most students pass on their first attempt with adequate study.
WSET Level 1 typically costs between $150 and $250 depending on the approved programme provider and location. The fee usually includes course materials and the exam.
No prior knowledge or experience is required. WSET Level 1 is an entry-level qualification suitable for anyone interested in wine.
The course is usually delivered in a single day (approximately 6 hours) including tasting sessions. Some providers offer online or evening formats spread over several sessions.
