The WSET Level 2 syllabus is genuinely global — after working through France, you need to get equally comfortable with Italy, Spain, Germany, and a range of New World regions. This quiz covers the non-French part of the Level 2 geography syllabus: the countries and regions that regularly appear on exam questions but often get less study time than France.
We’ve spent time in the Douro Valley making wine with Jesse, which gave us direct exposure to one part of this global picture. But the broader story — from Barossa Shiraz to Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc to Mendoza Malbec — is one we’ve built through years of tasting, traveling, and teaching. The through-line in all of it is climate and its effect on style.
This quiz focuses on additional world wine regions beyond France: Italy (Tuscany, Piedmont, Veneto, plus Prosecco and other key zones), Spain (Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Priorat, Sherry, Cava), Germany (Mosel, Rhine), and New World regions in the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Chile, and South Africa. It’s the geographic breadth section of Level 2 that keeps many students busy right up until exam day.
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Study Tips for WSET Level 2: World Wine Regions
The key to world wine geography at Level 2 is organizing countries around their flagship wines and styles, then building detail from there.
Italy: organize by zone and grape. Tuscany = Sangiovese (Chianti Classico, Brunello, Vino Nobile). Piedmont = Nebbiolo (Barolo, Barbaresco). Veneto = Corvina (Valpolicella, Amarone, Soave). DOC vs. DOCG: DOCG is the higher tier. IGT allows flexibility (including the “Super Tuscans”).
Spain: learn the aging tiers. Joven, Crianza, Reserva, Gran Reserva — these apply differently in Rioja vs. other regions. Know that Rioja uses mostly Tempranillo with some Garnacha, and that Sherry comes from Jerez using Palomino Fino with the solera aging system.
Germany: sweetness levels and the Prädikatswein hierarchy. Kabinett through Trockenbeerenauslese — these terms indicate ripeness level at harvest, not necessarily sweetness in the final wine (since trocken/dry versions exist). Mosel produces light, aromatic Riesling; Rhine regions tend toward fuller styles.
New World: lead with the variety, then the region. In the New World, grape variety typically carries more weight on the label. Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, Barossa Valley Shiraz, Mendoza Malbec, Napa Valley Cabernet — these pairings are the core exam knowledge.
Also study with our French regions quiz and full WSET Level 2 practice exams.
WSET Level 2 covers Italy (Tuscany, Piedmont, Veneto), Spain (Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Sherry, Cava), Germany (Mosel, Rhine), and New World regions including Napa Valley, Barossa Valley, Marlborough, Mendoza, and more.
New World regions make up a significant portion of the Level 2 syllabus. You need to know the key regions, climate types, flagship varieties, and typical wine styles for the USA, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina, and Chile.
Yes — Italy is one of the more detailed non-French country sections. Key knowledge includes Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino, Barolo, Barbaresco, Amarone, Soave, Prosecco, and Pinot Grigio from various regions.