WSET 3: REGIONS AND GRAPES
PRACTICE EXAMINATION 2026
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED
A+
◍ Saint-Veran.
Answer: Maconnais, Burgundy
◍ Italian PDO name.
Answer: Denominazione di Origine Protetta (DOP)
◍ Medoc AC.
Answer: BordeauxSignificant use of Merlot in blends
◍ Haut-Medoc AC.
Answer: BordeauxContains some of the most famous smaller appellations
◍ Saint-Estèphe AC.
Answer: BordeauxHaute MedocHigh percentage Cabernet Sauvignon,
blackcurrant, cedar from oak, grippy tannins
◍ Italian PDO name more popular.
Answer: Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) The wines in this
category are subject to geographical boundaries as well as limitations on
grape varieties and production methods
◍ Stricter Italian PDO name.
Answer: Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) In
addition to meeting all the DOC requirements these wines must meet stricter
regulations and in most cases be bottled within the area of production
◍ Pauillac.
, Answer: BordeauxHaute MedocHigh percentage Cabernet Sauvignon,
blackcurrant, cedar from oak, grippy tannins
◍ Italian PGI Designation.
Answer: Indicazione Geografica Protetta (IGP) but the term Indicazione
Geografica Tipica (IGT) is more common
◍ Riserva.
Answer: The term acknowledges wines with both higher alcohol levels and
longer ageing than the minimum stipulated by appellation laws
◍ Saint-Julien.
Answer: BordeauxHaute MedocHigh percentage Cabernet Sauvignon,
blackcurrant, cedar from oak, grippy tannins
◍ Classico.
Answer: Over time boundaries of a number of appellations have expanded to
allow new plantings outside the original zone. Classico refers to the fact that
the wines have been made solely from the original classified land and
includes many of the areas best wine.
◍ Margaux.
Answer: BordeauxHaute MedocHigh percentage Cabernet Sauvignon,
blackcurrant, cedar from oak, grippy tannins
◍ Graves AC.
Answer: Bordeaux
◍ Pessac-Leognan AC.
Answer: BordeauxGravesPerfect for Cabernet Sauvignon, tend to have
lighter body and be more fragrant than Haute-Medoc
◍ Northern Italy Climate.
Answer: Located on the hillsides in the foothills of the alps and on the plains
of rivers. The area has a moderate climate with dry short summers. The alps
form a barrier that extends the length of the north italian border and shelters
the vineyards from rain. Local rivers like Lake Garda and lakes provide a
, moderating influence to inland areas. Areas closer to the sea can have higher
levels of rainfall meaning fungal disease is problematic.
◍ Saint-Emilion.
Answer: Bordeaux
◍ Pomerol.
Answer: Bordeaux
◍ Northern Italy Grape growing.
Answer: The vineyards were traditionally planted with high yielding vines at
low densities. A complex trellising system called pergola was common.
VSP training currently more common especially with high density plantings.
◍ Entre-Deux-Mers (+grapes, style).
Answer: BordeauxSauvignon Blanc, unoaked
◍ Pergola training system.
Answer: The vine canopy is trained high with the fruit hanging down below
a horizontal canopy of leaves. This protects the grapes from sunburn as well
as allowing air to circulate minimizing risk of rot. Pergolas are still used
when high acidity and low sugar levels are required (like for sparkling wine)
and also when wines are made from dry grapes which need to be free of
damage and disease.
◍ Alto Adige.
Answer: Centered around the town of Bolzano in the alps foothills, it is
Italy's most northern wine region. The vineyards are planted on terraces on
the south east and south west facing valley sides of the river. Moderate
climate with short dry summers and low rainfall during the growing reason.
Most vineyards have a large diurnal range due to altitude making them ideal
for the production of aromatic whites and light bodied reds.
◍ Sauternes.
Answer: BordeauxSemillion, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle
◍ Barsac.
, Answer: BordeauxSauternes
◍ Bergerac.
Answer: Dordogne
◍ Monbazillac.
Answer: DordogneSweet wines, semillion, sauvignon blanc
◍ Cahors (+grapes, style).
Answer: South France, east of BordeauxMalbec, MerlotOak aged, dark, high
tannin, dark berry, age to cedar and earth notes
◍ Cotes de Gascogne IGP (+grapes, style).
Answer: South FranceUgni BlancDry, green apple
◍ Madiran (+grapes, style).
Answer: South FranceTannatTraditionally high tannin needing bottle
ageBest have concentrated dark fruit, lots of soft ripe tannin
◍ Jurancon (+grapes, style).
Answer: Border of PyraneesPetit MansengSweet wine, undergo passerillage,
apricot and grapefruit, spicy new oak notes, high acid
◍ Alto Adige Grapes and wines.
Answer: Most notable white is Pinot Grigio. It tends to be made in a dry
style with a light to medium body, high acid and citrus and green fruit
flavours. Gewurztraminer, Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc are also grown here.
Reds are dominated by the Italian Schiava producing light fruity wines with
low to medium tannins and flavours of raspberries and plums. Almost all
wines are labelled under the regional name of Alto Adige DOC.
◍ Brouilly (+style).
Answer: BeaujolaisLight, perfumed wine
◍ Morgon (+style).
Answer: BeaujolaisStructured, can age
◍ Trentino.
Answer: Located directly to the south of alto adige. Vines planted on the
PRACTICE EXAMINATION 2026
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED
A+
◍ Saint-Veran.
Answer: Maconnais, Burgundy
◍ Italian PDO name.
Answer: Denominazione di Origine Protetta (DOP)
◍ Medoc AC.
Answer: BordeauxSignificant use of Merlot in blends
◍ Haut-Medoc AC.
Answer: BordeauxContains some of the most famous smaller appellations
◍ Saint-Estèphe AC.
Answer: BordeauxHaute MedocHigh percentage Cabernet Sauvignon,
blackcurrant, cedar from oak, grippy tannins
◍ Italian PDO name more popular.
Answer: Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) The wines in this
category are subject to geographical boundaries as well as limitations on
grape varieties and production methods
◍ Stricter Italian PDO name.
Answer: Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) In
addition to meeting all the DOC requirements these wines must meet stricter
regulations and in most cases be bottled within the area of production
◍ Pauillac.
, Answer: BordeauxHaute MedocHigh percentage Cabernet Sauvignon,
blackcurrant, cedar from oak, grippy tannins
◍ Italian PGI Designation.
Answer: Indicazione Geografica Protetta (IGP) but the term Indicazione
Geografica Tipica (IGT) is more common
◍ Riserva.
Answer: The term acknowledges wines with both higher alcohol levels and
longer ageing than the minimum stipulated by appellation laws
◍ Saint-Julien.
Answer: BordeauxHaute MedocHigh percentage Cabernet Sauvignon,
blackcurrant, cedar from oak, grippy tannins
◍ Classico.
Answer: Over time boundaries of a number of appellations have expanded to
allow new plantings outside the original zone. Classico refers to the fact that
the wines have been made solely from the original classified land and
includes many of the areas best wine.
◍ Margaux.
Answer: BordeauxHaute MedocHigh percentage Cabernet Sauvignon,
blackcurrant, cedar from oak, grippy tannins
◍ Graves AC.
Answer: Bordeaux
◍ Pessac-Leognan AC.
Answer: BordeauxGravesPerfect for Cabernet Sauvignon, tend to have
lighter body and be more fragrant than Haute-Medoc
◍ Northern Italy Climate.
Answer: Located on the hillsides in the foothills of the alps and on the plains
of rivers. The area has a moderate climate with dry short summers. The alps
form a barrier that extends the length of the north italian border and shelters
the vineyards from rain. Local rivers like Lake Garda and lakes provide a
, moderating influence to inland areas. Areas closer to the sea can have higher
levels of rainfall meaning fungal disease is problematic.
◍ Saint-Emilion.
Answer: Bordeaux
◍ Pomerol.
Answer: Bordeaux
◍ Northern Italy Grape growing.
Answer: The vineyards were traditionally planted with high yielding vines at
low densities. A complex trellising system called pergola was common.
VSP training currently more common especially with high density plantings.
◍ Entre-Deux-Mers (+grapes, style).
Answer: BordeauxSauvignon Blanc, unoaked
◍ Pergola training system.
Answer: The vine canopy is trained high with the fruit hanging down below
a horizontal canopy of leaves. This protects the grapes from sunburn as well
as allowing air to circulate minimizing risk of rot. Pergolas are still used
when high acidity and low sugar levels are required (like for sparkling wine)
and also when wines are made from dry grapes which need to be free of
damage and disease.
◍ Alto Adige.
Answer: Centered around the town of Bolzano in the alps foothills, it is
Italy's most northern wine region. The vineyards are planted on terraces on
the south east and south west facing valley sides of the river. Moderate
climate with short dry summers and low rainfall during the growing reason.
Most vineyards have a large diurnal range due to altitude making them ideal
for the production of aromatic whites and light bodied reds.
◍ Sauternes.
Answer: BordeauxSemillion, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle
◍ Barsac.
, Answer: BordeauxSauternes
◍ Bergerac.
Answer: Dordogne
◍ Monbazillac.
Answer: DordogneSweet wines, semillion, sauvignon blanc
◍ Cahors (+grapes, style).
Answer: South France, east of BordeauxMalbec, MerlotOak aged, dark, high
tannin, dark berry, age to cedar and earth notes
◍ Cotes de Gascogne IGP (+grapes, style).
Answer: South FranceUgni BlancDry, green apple
◍ Madiran (+grapes, style).
Answer: South FranceTannatTraditionally high tannin needing bottle
ageBest have concentrated dark fruit, lots of soft ripe tannin
◍ Jurancon (+grapes, style).
Answer: Border of PyraneesPetit MansengSweet wine, undergo passerillage,
apricot and grapefruit, spicy new oak notes, high acid
◍ Alto Adige Grapes and wines.
Answer: Most notable white is Pinot Grigio. It tends to be made in a dry
style with a light to medium body, high acid and citrus and green fruit
flavours. Gewurztraminer, Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc are also grown here.
Reds are dominated by the Italian Schiava producing light fruity wines with
low to medium tannins and flavours of raspberries and plums. Almost all
wines are labelled under the regional name of Alto Adige DOC.
◍ Brouilly (+style).
Answer: BeaujolaisLight, perfumed wine
◍ Morgon (+style).
Answer: BeaujolaisStructured, can age
◍ Trentino.
Answer: Located directly to the south of alto adige. Vines planted on the
