WSET L4 SPARKLING WINES FINAL PAPER
2026 COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS STUDY GUIDE GRADED A+
●● What method is used to make champagne?
Answer: traditional method
●● What method is used to make prosecco?
Answer: tank method
●● What method is used to make cava?
Answer: traditional method
●● What method is used to make Crémant?
Answer: traditional method
●● What method is used to make Asti?
Answer: asti method
●● What method is used to make Sekt?
Answer: tank method
,●● How many fermentation stages are there when making Asti?
Answer: one fermentation stage
●● How many fermentation stages are there when making Champagne?
Answer: two fermentation stages
●● What is the level of residual sugar in a Brut Nature sparkling wine?
Answer: 0-3 g/L
●● What is the level of residual sugar in a Brut sparkling wine?
Answer: 0-12 g/L
●● What is the level of residual sugar in a Demi-Sec sparkling wine?
Answer: 32-50 g/L
●● List the steps below for the production of sweet sparkling wine using
the Asti Method.
Answer: 1. Grapes pressed/juice clarified
2. Juice chilled and stored as needed
3. When required, the juice is warmed.
4. Fermentation takes place in pressurized tanks
, 5. Carbon Dioxide is initially allowed to escape.
6. Then tanks are sealed
7. Fermentation continues until alcohol reaches 7%abv
8. Fermentation is stopped by chilling the wine
9. Wine is then filtered to remove yeast.
●● What temp should a bottle of sparkling wine be chilled to in an effort
to reduce the pressure?
Answer: 6-10 C
●● List the steps for opening a bottle of sparkling wine:
Answer: 1. Remove foil and loosen wire cage
2. Hold cork securely once cage has been removed
3. Tilt bottle at 30 degree angle. Grip cork and base of bottle
4. Turn the bottle not the cork
5. Hold the cork and resist pressure. slowly ease out
6. When released - should make quiet "phut" sound not a loud pop.
●● What is autolysis?
Answer: The breaking down of dead yeast cells imparting flavour into
the wine.
2026 COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS STUDY GUIDE GRADED A+
●● What method is used to make champagne?
Answer: traditional method
●● What method is used to make prosecco?
Answer: tank method
●● What method is used to make cava?
Answer: traditional method
●● What method is used to make Crémant?
Answer: traditional method
●● What method is used to make Asti?
Answer: asti method
●● What method is used to make Sekt?
Answer: tank method
,●● How many fermentation stages are there when making Asti?
Answer: one fermentation stage
●● How many fermentation stages are there when making Champagne?
Answer: two fermentation stages
●● What is the level of residual sugar in a Brut Nature sparkling wine?
Answer: 0-3 g/L
●● What is the level of residual sugar in a Brut sparkling wine?
Answer: 0-12 g/L
●● What is the level of residual sugar in a Demi-Sec sparkling wine?
Answer: 32-50 g/L
●● List the steps below for the production of sweet sparkling wine using
the Asti Method.
Answer: 1. Grapes pressed/juice clarified
2. Juice chilled and stored as needed
3. When required, the juice is warmed.
4. Fermentation takes place in pressurized tanks
, 5. Carbon Dioxide is initially allowed to escape.
6. Then tanks are sealed
7. Fermentation continues until alcohol reaches 7%abv
8. Fermentation is stopped by chilling the wine
9. Wine is then filtered to remove yeast.
●● What temp should a bottle of sparkling wine be chilled to in an effort
to reduce the pressure?
Answer: 6-10 C
●● List the steps for opening a bottle of sparkling wine:
Answer: 1. Remove foil and loosen wire cage
2. Hold cork securely once cage has been removed
3. Tilt bottle at 30 degree angle. Grip cork and base of bottle
4. Turn the bottle not the cork
5. Hold the cork and resist pressure. slowly ease out
6. When released - should make quiet "phut" sound not a loud pop.
●● What is autolysis?
Answer: The breaking down of dead yeast cells imparting flavour into
the wine.
