Episode 116: A Day in the Life on the WSET Level 2 Trip in the South of France
Host: Joanne Close Episode Length: 9:15 Release Date: June 18th
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Level 2 Mock Exam Bundle
If you are considering joining a future WSET Level 2 trip, or are studying for your Level 2 exam right now, the Level 2 Mock Exam Bundle is a helpful way to test your knowledge before exam day. It includes practice questions modeled on the real exam format so you can study with confidence.
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Episode Description
Still recording from her hideaway cottage at Chateau Camplazens, Joanne takes a break from wine theory this week to give listeners a real look at what it is like to join the WSET Level 2 trip in the south of France. With 13 travelers just arrived and the Languedoc Food and Wine Experience wrapped up the week before, Joanne walks through an actual day on the trip, start to finish.
From an early morning walk through the vines, to a classroom session overlooking the vineyards, to a relaxed lunch followed by siesta time during the hottest part of the day, Joanne covers the rhythm of a typical day and why it is built around the Mediterranean climate rather than against it. She also talks about group size, the kinds of conversations that come up during tastings, and where the group heads for dinner in Narbonne.
It is part travelogue, part practical preview for anyone considering joining a future trip, and a good sense of what makes studying for WSET Level 2 in the vineyards itself such a different experience than studying from a book at home.
What You'll Learn in This Episode The Daily Rhythm of the Level 2 Trip
- Why the day starts early with a walk through the vines before the heat sets in
- What topics come up during the vineyard walk, including canopy management, frost risk, and old vine Carignan
- Why the classroom session happens mid-morning, before temperatures peak
- Why lunch is kept light and casual, with cheese, charcuterie, and crudité, to allow for siesta time afterward
- Why siesta time is built into the schedule rather than treated as optional downtime
Group Size and Format
- Why Level 2 trips are kept to a maximum of 14 students
- Why this group size allows for a lively tasting discussion without feeling crowded
- How everyone tastes the same bottle together during the session
Trip Options
- The summer trip format, run over five days and based at the family vineyard
- The spring trip format, run over a slightly longer period with a hotel base in Narbonne
- How the spring format allows more free time to explore Narbonne itself
- 2027 summer trip dates to be announced in the coming weeks
Evening Plans
- Why dinner is a proper sit-down, three-course meal in an air-conditioned restaurant in Narbonne
- A visit to Cave a Manger, a wine shop turned restaurant with a wine cellar guests can browse before dinner
Episode Highlights and Quotes
"Certain concepts really hit home when you're in the situation."
"We keep our trips at 14 people for the Level 2 trip. It's enough people that there are many interesting voices in the tasting discussion, but not too many that things get crowded and people don't feel like they have a chance to speak up."
Quick Reference: WSET Level 2 Trip Formats
Trip Format Length Base Best For Summer Trip 5 days Family vineyard at Chateau Camplazens A more immersive, vineyard-based experience Spring Trip 7 days Hotel in Narbonne More free time to explore Narbonne itself
Resources Mentioned
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About Wine Educate
Wine Educate is a WSET Approved Programme Provider offering internationally recognized wine certification courses. Through the podcast, Joanne Close makes wine education accessible to everyone, breaking down complex topics into practical, easy-to-understand lessons. Whether you are studying for your WSET certification or simply want to learn more about wine, you will find the guidance and knowledge you need to enjoy wine with confidence.
Episode 116 of the Wine Educate Podcast | Hosted by Joanne Close | © 2025 Wine Educate
