WSET Level 3 Questions and Answers 100% Pass

WSET Level 3 Questions and Answers 100% Pass What effect does a sweet food have on wine? The wine tastes more drying and bitter, more acidic. Less sweet and fruity. What type of wine should you pair with sweet food? Since sweet food can dull the taste of a wine (losing its fruit and becoming unpleasantly acidic), a good general rule is to select a wine with a higher level of sweetness. What effect does umami food have on wine? Increases the perception of bitterness, astringency, acidity and alcohol burn in the wine. It also decreases the perception of body, sweetness, and fruitiness of the wine. What type of wine should you pair with umami food? Pair with low tannin, lower alcohol red wines without (or limited) oak character. Crisp whites with minimal oak and lower alcohol also work well. What effect does salty food have on wine? Salt will increase the perception of body in a wine and decrease astringency, bitterness and acidity. Salty foods will make a tannic, alcoholic red wine taste more ......... ? Fruity and rich (less bitter. less alcoholic) What effect does acidic food have on wine? Acid in food will increase the perception of body, sweetness, and fruitiness in wine. It will also decrease the perception of acid in a wine. What type of wine should be paired with acidic food? It's a good rule of thumb to pair high acid food with high acid wine (as wines can appear flat and flabby if the acid of the wine is overwhelmed by the food). What effect does bitter food have on wine? Bitterness in food increases the bitterness in wine. What effect does highly flavored food have on wine? The wine can be overwhelmed by the food flavors. What type of wine should be paired with highly flavored food? Pair with wines of similar intensity or flavors. What effect does fatty/oily food have on wine? It makes the wine appear less acidic. What type of wine should be paired with highly fatty/oily food? Pair with wines of high levels of acidity. When did the European Union change it's wine laws? In 2009 What are the two labelling terms of EU wines with a geographical indication? 1) Protected Designation of Origen (PDO) 2) Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) What term is used to delineate a PDO wine from France? Apellation d'Origine Controlee (AC or AOC) What term is used to delineate a PGI wine from France? Vin de Pays (VdP) or Indication Geographique Protegee (IGP). IGP has appeared on many wine labels begining with the 2009 vintage. What term is used to delineate a wine in France without any geographical indication? Vin de France What is the location and climate of Bordeaux? Located in south-west France, Bordeaux has a moderate/maritime climate. What type of soil is found in the Medoc, Haut-Medoc, and Graves regions of Bordeaux? Stone/Gravel What type of soil is found in the St-Emilion and Pomeral regions of Bordeaux? Clay with limestone subsoil What are the 6 main black grape varieties of Bordeaux (in order of most to least vineyard acreage)? 1) Merlot 2) Cabernet Sauvignon 3) Cabernet 4) Malbec 5) Petit Verdot 6) Carmenere What are the 3 main white grapes of Bordeaux (in order of most to least vineyard acreage)? 1) Semillon 2) Sauvignon Blanc 3) Muscadelle Are there high or low density plantings in Bordeaux? High-density planting Do the higher quality wines of Bordeaux experience lower or higher yields? Lower yields for higher-quality wines What are two key vineyard challenges in Bordeaux? 1) Ripening Grapes 2) Fungal disease What type of harvesting is used throughout Bordeaux? Machine harvesting. The gentle sloping vineyards of Bordeaux are suitable for machine harvesting. For what type of wine style is hand-harvesting required in Bordeaux? Hand-picking is typical for grapes affected by noble rot used for sweet wine production (Sauternes, Barsac, etc) For Bordeaux red winemaking, are the grape varieties fermented separately or together? Grape varieties are fermented separately and blended after fermentation. What is Bordeaux red wine typically matured in? In wooden vats or in new or used oak barriques (225 liters) In Bordeaux, how are inexpensive red wines typically produced? They are made ready-to-drink with a high proportion of Merlot in the blend, matured in a vat with no new oak. In Bordeaux winemaking, how are higher-priced red wines typically produced? Higher-priced wines use traditional fermentation and have a higher proportion of new oak for maturation; these wines will need maturing in bottle for several years. How is dry Sauvignon Blanc typically aged in Bordeaux? Typically, stainless steel for a short period of time so that it can retain the varietal characteristics. Is oak ever used to mature white wine in Bordeaux? Yes, oak is often used to ferment and/or mature blends of dry Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc wines (ie Pessac-Leognan). It is also used in the production of sweet wines of Bordeaux. What types of wines are produced under the Generic Bordeaux AC? red, white, and rose What are the 4 famous regions producing red wines in the Haut-Medoc from north to south? 1) St Estephe 2) Pauillac 3) St Julien 4) Margaux Name 4 appellations that can put their name in front of the term Cotes de Bordeaux for greater recognition. 1) Blaye 2) Cadillac 3) Castillon 4) Francs What are 3 premium dry white wine regions of Bordeaux? 1) Entre-Deux-Mers 2) Graves 3) Pessac-Leognan What are 2 sweet white wine regions of Bordeaux? 1) Sauternes 2) Barsac What are the ideal conditions for longer term storage of wines that improve with age? Undisturbed in a cool dark place with a constant temperature, ideally around 10-15 C (50-59 F). There should also be constant humidity, and wines sealed with a cork should be stored on their side. What is the traditional type of wine press used and explain how it works. Vertical 'basket' press where the pressure on the grapes comes from above using a plate that is lowered or raised using a screw or lever. What is the climate of southwest France? Similar to Bordeaux but with less maritime influence. Name the major appellation in southwest France that produces