Coming soon in the app
WSET Level 1 Award in Wines: the complete guide
The perfect first step into wine. A short, friendly course that teaches you the main styles of wine, the key grapes, how to store and serve wine and how to pair it with food — and an exam you can pass with a few hours of focused practice.
The exam at a glance
- Questions
- 30 multiple-choice questions
- Duration
- 45 minutes
- Pass mark
- 70% (21 correct answers out of 30)
- Study time
- About 6 hours of guided learning
- Prerequisites
- None — ideal for beginners
What the syllabus covers
- The main types and styles of wine: still, sparkling and fortified; white, rosé and red
- How wine is made, in simple terms, and how grape variety and climate shape its style
- The principal grape varieties and the styles of wine they make
- How to describe a wine using the WSET Level 1 Systematic Approach to Tasting
- Storing and serving wine: temperatures, glasses, opening a bottle of still and sparkling wine
- Food and wine pairing: how sweetness, acidity, salt and umami change the taste of a wine
Grape varieties to know
- Chardonnay
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Pinot Grigio / Pinot Gris
- Riesling
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot
- Pinot Noir
- Syrah / Shiraz
How to study, step by step
Learn the eight principal grapes first
Most questions come back to them. For each one, know whether it is white or red, its typical aromas and the style it gives in a cool or warm climate.
Master service temperatures
Sparkling and sweet wines well chilled, light whites chilled, light reds lightly chilled, full-bodied reds at room temperature: these are easy points.
Learn the food and wine rules
Sweetness and umami in food make wine taste more bitter and acidic; salt and acidity in food make it taste softer. Memorise the direction of each effect.
Practise with timed questions
30 questions in 45 minutes leaves 90 seconds each: train with short daily quizzes and review every mistake.
Common mistakes
- Confusing grape varieties with regions (Chablis is a place, Chardonnay is the grape)
- Mixing up the effect of food on wine — learn it as a table
- Rushing: with a 70% pass mark, every careless mistake counts
Try 3 sample questions
1 Which grape variety is used for red Burgundy?
Show the answer
Pinot Noir — Red Burgundy is made from Pinot Noir.
2 At what temperature should a light-bodied red wine be served?
Show the answer
Lightly chilled, around 13 °C — Light-bodied reds show best lightly chilled, around 13 °C.
3 How does sweetness in food affect a wine?
Show the answer
It makes the wine taste more bitter and acidic, and less fruity — Sweet food makes a wine taste drier, more bitter and more acidic.
Level 1, 2 or 3: which one is for you?
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Format | 30 multiple choice | 50 multiple choice | 50 multiple choice + 4 written questions |
| Duration | 45 min | 60 min | 2 h + 30 min tasting |
| Pass mark | 70% | 55% | 55% |
| Study time | ≈ 6 h | ≈ 28 h | ≈ 84 h |
| Written answers | no | no | yes |
| Tasting exam | no | no | yes (2 wines) |
Coming soon in the app
The Wine Goat for WSET Level 1 is on its way
Practice questions, mock exams and a study plan for WSET Level 1, in the same app as Level 3. Leave your email in the app and we will tell you as soon as it opens.
Frequently asked questions
How hard is the WSET Level 1 exam?
It is the most accessible WSET wine qualification: 30 multiple-choice questions on the basics, with a pass mark of 70%. With the course and some practice questions most candidates pass.
How long does it take to prepare?
The course is about 6 hours of guided learning, often in one day. A few short practice sessions before the exam are usually enough.
Do I need any experience?
No. Level 1 has no prerequisites and is designed for complete beginners and people starting to work in hospitality.
Is there a tasting exam?
No. You taste wines during the course to learn the tasting method, but the exam is only multiple choice.
Should I take Level 1 or go straight to Level 2?
If you already enjoy wine and want a recognised qualification, many people start directly at Level 2. Level 1 is ideal if you are new to wine or work in service.
Will The Wine Goat have Level 1?
Yes. Practice questions, mock exams and a study plan for Level 1 are coming soon. Level 3 is already available.