WSET L4 SPARKLING WINES PRACTICE
SOLUTION 2026 TESTED QUESTIONS WITH
FULL SOLUTION VIEW AHEAD GRADED A+
●● Why must grapes be harvested by hand for sparkling wine?
Answer: To avoid damaging the grapes and running the risk of coloring
the juice.
●● How are wines pressed to make Champagne?
Answer: Not destemmed or crushed, just gently pressed and only juice
released from the gentlest press is used. Juice released from high
pressure is not able to be used for top quality sparkling wine.
●● What role does blending play in sparkling wine?
Answer: Blending is vital to the quality and making a consistent house
style. Best producers have access to a large number of parcels, making
the process easier.
●● What determines richness in sparkling wine?
Answer: The amount of time spent on the lees, which is either controlled
under law or the style of wine being produced. Longer time on the lees
give more autolytic character.
, ●● What is used to adjust level of sweetness?
Answer: Dosage
●● Describe the transfer method.
Answer: Second ferment takes place in bottle. The wine is decanted into
a sealed tank for clarification and then rebottled. Used extensively in the
new world to make high quality wine.
●● Describe the Tank method.
Answer: Second fermentation happens in a sealed tank. This method is
cheaper. Also Autolytic character can be kept at a minimum, which is
ideal for aromatic varieties like muscat and Riesling.
●● Describe the Asti method.
Answer: Must is chilled until needed. only one fermentation takes place
in a sealed tank to retain CO2. The fermentation ins interrupted, filtered
and bottled for immediate sale. Wines do not age.
●● Describe the carbonation method.
Answer: CO2 injected into still wine. Only used for cheap sparkling
wine.
●● What is the climate in Champagne?
Answer: Cool continental
SOLUTION 2026 TESTED QUESTIONS WITH
FULL SOLUTION VIEW AHEAD GRADED A+
●● Why must grapes be harvested by hand for sparkling wine?
Answer: To avoid damaging the grapes and running the risk of coloring
the juice.
●● How are wines pressed to make Champagne?
Answer: Not destemmed or crushed, just gently pressed and only juice
released from the gentlest press is used. Juice released from high
pressure is not able to be used for top quality sparkling wine.
●● What role does blending play in sparkling wine?
Answer: Blending is vital to the quality and making a consistent house
style. Best producers have access to a large number of parcels, making
the process easier.
●● What determines richness in sparkling wine?
Answer: The amount of time spent on the lees, which is either controlled
under law or the style of wine being produced. Longer time on the lees
give more autolytic character.
, ●● What is used to adjust level of sweetness?
Answer: Dosage
●● Describe the transfer method.
Answer: Second ferment takes place in bottle. The wine is decanted into
a sealed tank for clarification and then rebottled. Used extensively in the
new world to make high quality wine.
●● Describe the Tank method.
Answer: Second fermentation happens in a sealed tank. This method is
cheaper. Also Autolytic character can be kept at a minimum, which is
ideal for aromatic varieties like muscat and Riesling.
●● Describe the Asti method.
Answer: Must is chilled until needed. only one fermentation takes place
in a sealed tank to retain CO2. The fermentation ins interrupted, filtered
and bottled for immediate sale. Wines do not age.
●● Describe the carbonation method.
Answer: CO2 injected into still wine. Only used for cheap sparkling
wine.
●● What is the climate in Champagne?
Answer: Cool continental
