WSET Level 2 Award in Wines Exam Prep 2026 | 200
Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales | Wine
Certification Study Guide
SECTION A: GRAPE VARIETIES & WINE STYLES
1. Which red grape variety is the most widely planted in Bordeaux?
A. Syrah
B. Merlot
C. Cabernet Sauvignon
D. Pinot Noir
Answer: B
Explanation: Merlot is the most planted Bordeaux red grape due to its earlier ripening and suitability for
clay soils.
2. A white wine with high acidity, notes of green apple, and often made in a dry style is characteristic of
which grape?
A. Chardonnay
B. Riesling
C. Sauvignon Blanc
D. Viognier
Answer: C
Explanation: Sauvignon Blanc is known for high acidity, green fruit, herbaceous notes (grass, bell
pepper), and dry styles.
3. Which grape variety is used to produce Chianti Classico?
A. Sangiovese
B. Nebbiolo
C. Barbera
,D. Corvina
Answer: A
Explanation: Chianti Classico is primarily Sangiovese (minimum 80%). Nebbiolo is Barolo/Barbaresco,
Corvina is Valpolicella.
4. A full‑bodied red wine with aromas of blackberry, violet, and black pepper is typical of which region?
A. Bordeaux
B. Northern Rhône (Syrah)
C. Burgundy
D. Rioja
Answer: B
Explanation: Northern Rhône Syrah produces full‑bodied wines with dark fruit, floral, and white pepper
notes.
5. Which white grape is the dominant variety in Chablis?
A. Sémillon
B. Chardonnay
C. Chenin Blanc
D. Albariño
Answer: B
Explanation: Chablis is 100% Chardonnay, made in a lean, high‑acid, often unoaked style.
6. A wine labeled “Spätlese” from Germany is:
A. Dry, late‑harvest
B. Sweet, late‑harvest
C. Off‑dry, made from fully ripe grapes
D. A sparkling wine
Answer: C
Explanation: Spätlese means “late harvest” (fully ripe), can be dry or off‑dry, but typically sweeter than
Kabinett.
,7. Which grape is known for producing wines with aromas of lychee, rose petal, and low acidity?
A. Gewürztraminer
B. Muscat
C. Torrontés
D. Viognier
Answer: A
Explanation: Gewürztraminer has distinct lychee and rose notes, usually low acidity, and can be off‑dry.
8. The primary red grape of Rioja is:
A. Garnacha
B. Tempranillo
C. Monastrell
D. Bobal
Answer: B
Explanation: Tempranillo is the main grape of Rioja, often blended with Garnacha and others.
9. A light‑bodied red wine with high acidity and red fruit (cherry, cranberry) is typical of:
A. Malbec from Argentina
B. Pinot Noir from Burgundy
C. Zinfandel from California
D. Shiraz from Australia
Answer: B
Explanation: Pinot Noir is light‑bodied, high acid, with red fruit. Burgundy is the classic region.
10. Which sparkling wine is made using the Traditional Method (Méthode Champenoise) but from
grapes grown in Franciacorta?
A. Franciacorta
B. Prosecco
, C. Cava
D. Sekt
Answer: A
Explanation: Franciacorta (Lombardy, Italy) uses Traditional Method. Prosecco is tank method, Cava is
traditional method but from Spain.
11. The grape variety used to produce Amarone della Valpolicella is:
A. Nebbiolo
B. Corvina
C. Sangiovese
D. Aglianico
Answer: B
Explanation: Amarone is made from dried Corvina (with Rondinella and Molinara) grapes.
12. A dry, full‑bodied white wine with flavors of ripe peach, vanilla, and butter is likely:
A. Muscadet
B. Oaked Chardonnay
C. Pinot Grigio
D. Albariño
Answer: B
Explanation: Oaked Chardonnay (e.g., from California or Burgundy) has ripe fruit, vanilla (oak), and
buttery notes from malolactic fermentation.
13. Which region is known for producing Riesling with high residual sugar (Beerenauslese,
Trockenbeerenauslese)?
A. Alsace
B. Mosel
C. Clare Valley
D. Finger Lakes
Answer: B
Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales | Wine
Certification Study Guide
SECTION A: GRAPE VARIETIES & WINE STYLES
1. Which red grape variety is the most widely planted in Bordeaux?
A. Syrah
B. Merlot
C. Cabernet Sauvignon
D. Pinot Noir
Answer: B
Explanation: Merlot is the most planted Bordeaux red grape due to its earlier ripening and suitability for
clay soils.
2. A white wine with high acidity, notes of green apple, and often made in a dry style is characteristic of
which grape?
A. Chardonnay
B. Riesling
C. Sauvignon Blanc
D. Viognier
Answer: C
Explanation: Sauvignon Blanc is known for high acidity, green fruit, herbaceous notes (grass, bell
pepper), and dry styles.
3. Which grape variety is used to produce Chianti Classico?
A. Sangiovese
B. Nebbiolo
C. Barbera
,D. Corvina
Answer: A
Explanation: Chianti Classico is primarily Sangiovese (minimum 80%). Nebbiolo is Barolo/Barbaresco,
Corvina is Valpolicella.
4. A full‑bodied red wine with aromas of blackberry, violet, and black pepper is typical of which region?
A. Bordeaux
B. Northern Rhône (Syrah)
C. Burgundy
D. Rioja
Answer: B
Explanation: Northern Rhône Syrah produces full‑bodied wines with dark fruit, floral, and white pepper
notes.
5. Which white grape is the dominant variety in Chablis?
A. Sémillon
B. Chardonnay
C. Chenin Blanc
D. Albariño
Answer: B
Explanation: Chablis is 100% Chardonnay, made in a lean, high‑acid, often unoaked style.
6. A wine labeled “Spätlese” from Germany is:
A. Dry, late‑harvest
B. Sweet, late‑harvest
C. Off‑dry, made from fully ripe grapes
D. A sparkling wine
Answer: C
Explanation: Spätlese means “late harvest” (fully ripe), can be dry or off‑dry, but typically sweeter than
Kabinett.
,7. Which grape is known for producing wines with aromas of lychee, rose petal, and low acidity?
A. Gewürztraminer
B. Muscat
C. Torrontés
D. Viognier
Answer: A
Explanation: Gewürztraminer has distinct lychee and rose notes, usually low acidity, and can be off‑dry.
8. The primary red grape of Rioja is:
A. Garnacha
B. Tempranillo
C. Monastrell
D. Bobal
Answer: B
Explanation: Tempranillo is the main grape of Rioja, often blended with Garnacha and others.
9. A light‑bodied red wine with high acidity and red fruit (cherry, cranberry) is typical of:
A. Malbec from Argentina
B. Pinot Noir from Burgundy
C. Zinfandel from California
D. Shiraz from Australia
Answer: B
Explanation: Pinot Noir is light‑bodied, high acid, with red fruit. Burgundy is the classic region.
10. Which sparkling wine is made using the Traditional Method (Méthode Champenoise) but from
grapes grown in Franciacorta?
A. Franciacorta
B. Prosecco
, C. Cava
D. Sekt
Answer: A
Explanation: Franciacorta (Lombardy, Italy) uses Traditional Method. Prosecco is tank method, Cava is
traditional method but from Spain.
11. The grape variety used to produce Amarone della Valpolicella is:
A. Nebbiolo
B. Corvina
C. Sangiovese
D. Aglianico
Answer: B
Explanation: Amarone is made from dried Corvina (with Rondinella and Molinara) grapes.
12. A dry, full‑bodied white wine with flavors of ripe peach, vanilla, and butter is likely:
A. Muscadet
B. Oaked Chardonnay
C. Pinot Grigio
D. Albariño
Answer: B
Explanation: Oaked Chardonnay (e.g., from California or Burgundy) has ripe fruit, vanilla (oak), and
buttery notes from malolactic fermentation.
13. Which region is known for producing Riesling with high residual sugar (Beerenauslese,
Trockenbeerenauslese)?
A. Alsace
B. Mosel
C. Clare Valley
D. Finger Lakes
Answer: B
