WSET LEVEL 3 FINAL EXAM PAPER 2026
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
◉ Diurnal Range. Answer: difference between the day time and night
time temperatures
◉ spring frost mitigation. Answer: heaters placed through vineyard
wind machines
sprinklers
vineyard design - plant on slopes or trained high
◉ water hazards. Answer: once a sufficient canopy has grown, important
to limit water to promote grape ripening rather than shoot growth. this
would leave less sugar for the grapes. also increases canopy growth -
more shade - less ripening.
droughts risk photosynthesis stopping, killing the vine
rainfall during flowring and fruitset can disrupt.
◉ Pinot Noir Characteristics. Answer: color intensity: light
Tannins: low
Acidity: high
Flavour characteristics: strawberry, raspberry, red cherry
,Burgundy - entry level - light, high acid, hint of oak. Cote D'Or have
intensity and complexity. Range from delicate and floral to tannic and
spicy. cool vintage risk of vegetal notes like cabbage and wet leaves. if
too hot, jammy and unattractive.
Baden, Carneros, Sonoma, Martinborough, Marlborough, Central Otago
(NZ), Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula, Tasmania (Australia), Walker
Bay (South Africa), Casablanca Valley (Chile).
Pinot Noir can be amove 30F ferment to extract more flavor, color and
tannin.
◉ Cabernet Sauvignon Characteristics. Answer: Colour intensity: deep
Tannins: high
Acidity: high
Flavour characteristics: blackcurrant, black cherry, green bell pepper
thick skinned, late ripening. can be astringent and herbaceous if not
ripened fully
Haut Medoc: Grippy tannins in youth, cedar and black currant leaf.
(Merlot gives it smoother texture.
Italy, Spain, South of France - blended with indigineous grape varieties
Napa, Margaret River, Hawke's Bay, Stellenbosch, Colchagua Valley -
warm, long bright sunlight ripens fruit
◉ Merlot Characteristics. Answer: Colour intensity: medium -deep
Tannins: medium
,Acidity: medium
Flavour characteristics: strawberry, red plum, red cherry
ripens earlier than Cabernet
Two styles: New World: harvest as late as possible, intense purple color,
concentrated blackberry and plum, soft velvet texture , new oak
maturation
Bordeaux: harvest earlier, med body and alcohol, higher acid, fresh red
fruit, vegetal, leafy
◉ Syrah/Shiraz Characteristics. Answer: Colour intensity :deep
Tannins: medium - high
Acidity: medium
Flavour characteristics: blackberry, black cherry. black pepper
Syrah can range from medium body with pepper and fresh black fruit to
smooth, fully body, ripe black fruit and liquorice.
Northern Rhone - coolest location. Cotie Rotie and Hermitage (south
facing) - fuller body, berry, pepper, notes of meat and leather after aging.
Also known in Languedoc and ROussilon where its blended.
Hot regions: Hunter and Barossa valley produce soft earthy, spicy styles
with concentrate black fruit. Cooler regions like Geelong and Heathcote
produce leaner, more peppery styles. Chile, south Africa, hawke's bay
and Washington also known.
◉ Grenache characteristics. Answer: Colour intensity: light-medium
, Tannins: medium (soft)
Acidity: Low
Flavour characteristics: red fruit
late ripening, needs hot climate. high tolerance for drought.
Priorat: blended with Carignan for color and tannin, fresh black fruit.
In Rioja: Planted in rioja Baja and blended with temperanillo.
contributes perfrume, body and alcohol. Also grown in Catalayud,
Carinena and Navarra.
Also used for rose.
Southern Rhone: most widely planted. Chateaneuf du Pape - blended
with Syrah and Mourvedre. rich texture and concentrated spicy fruit.
Barossa Valley & McClaren Vale: old bush vines give high
concentration, intense red berry and pepper.
◉ Reisling Characteristics. Answer: Variety has cool climate success:
bud & ripen late
maintains acid as sugar rises
range of styles
bottle aging
Flavors: citrus, stone fruit, petrol, honey, botrytis
Aromatic White
◉ Gewurztraminer Characteristics. Answer: Unique Variety
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
◉ Diurnal Range. Answer: difference between the day time and night
time temperatures
◉ spring frost mitigation. Answer: heaters placed through vineyard
wind machines
sprinklers
vineyard design - plant on slopes or trained high
◉ water hazards. Answer: once a sufficient canopy has grown, important
to limit water to promote grape ripening rather than shoot growth. this
would leave less sugar for the grapes. also increases canopy growth -
more shade - less ripening.
droughts risk photosynthesis stopping, killing the vine
rainfall during flowring and fruitset can disrupt.
◉ Pinot Noir Characteristics. Answer: color intensity: light
Tannins: low
Acidity: high
Flavour characteristics: strawberry, raspberry, red cherry
,Burgundy - entry level - light, high acid, hint of oak. Cote D'Or have
intensity and complexity. Range from delicate and floral to tannic and
spicy. cool vintage risk of vegetal notes like cabbage and wet leaves. if
too hot, jammy and unattractive.
Baden, Carneros, Sonoma, Martinborough, Marlborough, Central Otago
(NZ), Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula, Tasmania (Australia), Walker
Bay (South Africa), Casablanca Valley (Chile).
Pinot Noir can be amove 30F ferment to extract more flavor, color and
tannin.
◉ Cabernet Sauvignon Characteristics. Answer: Colour intensity: deep
Tannins: high
Acidity: high
Flavour characteristics: blackcurrant, black cherry, green bell pepper
thick skinned, late ripening. can be astringent and herbaceous if not
ripened fully
Haut Medoc: Grippy tannins in youth, cedar and black currant leaf.
(Merlot gives it smoother texture.
Italy, Spain, South of France - blended with indigineous grape varieties
Napa, Margaret River, Hawke's Bay, Stellenbosch, Colchagua Valley -
warm, long bright sunlight ripens fruit
◉ Merlot Characteristics. Answer: Colour intensity: medium -deep
Tannins: medium
,Acidity: medium
Flavour characteristics: strawberry, red plum, red cherry
ripens earlier than Cabernet
Two styles: New World: harvest as late as possible, intense purple color,
concentrated blackberry and plum, soft velvet texture , new oak
maturation
Bordeaux: harvest earlier, med body and alcohol, higher acid, fresh red
fruit, vegetal, leafy
◉ Syrah/Shiraz Characteristics. Answer: Colour intensity :deep
Tannins: medium - high
Acidity: medium
Flavour characteristics: blackberry, black cherry. black pepper
Syrah can range from medium body with pepper and fresh black fruit to
smooth, fully body, ripe black fruit and liquorice.
Northern Rhone - coolest location. Cotie Rotie and Hermitage (south
facing) - fuller body, berry, pepper, notes of meat and leather after aging.
Also known in Languedoc and ROussilon where its blended.
Hot regions: Hunter and Barossa valley produce soft earthy, spicy styles
with concentrate black fruit. Cooler regions like Geelong and Heathcote
produce leaner, more peppery styles. Chile, south Africa, hawke's bay
and Washington also known.
◉ Grenache characteristics. Answer: Colour intensity: light-medium
, Tannins: medium (soft)
Acidity: Low
Flavour characteristics: red fruit
late ripening, needs hot climate. high tolerance for drought.
Priorat: blended with Carignan for color and tannin, fresh black fruit.
In Rioja: Planted in rioja Baja and blended with temperanillo.
contributes perfrume, body and alcohol. Also grown in Catalayud,
Carinena and Navarra.
Also used for rose.
Southern Rhone: most widely planted. Chateaneuf du Pape - blended
with Syrah and Mourvedre. rich texture and concentrated spicy fruit.
Barossa Valley & McClaren Vale: old bush vines give high
concentration, intense red berry and pepper.
◉ Reisling Characteristics. Answer: Variety has cool climate success:
bud & ripen late
maintains acid as sugar rises
range of styles
bottle aging
Flavors: citrus, stone fruit, petrol, honey, botrytis
Aromatic White
◉ Gewurztraminer Characteristics. Answer: Unique Variety
