WSET Level 1 Questions & Correct Solutions2023//2024

WSET Level 1 Questions & Correct Solutions2023//2024 What is *Wine*? - ANSWER An Alcoholic drink made from the total or partial fermentation of freshly-picked grapes' juice. What is *Fermentation*? - ANSWER Yeast feed on sugar, converting it into alcohol and carbon dioxide gas and heat *Types* of wine. - ANSWER 1. Still wine 2. Sparkling wine 3. Fortified wine *Still* wines. - ANSWER • They have no bubbles • 8-15% alcohol • Named after a region (old world) • Named after a grape variety (new world) *Sparkling* wines. - ANSWER • Carbon dioxide trapped (bubbles) • Champagne is the best known French Sparkling • Crémant is also an sparkling wine from France • Cava is made in Spain • Prosecco is made in Italy • Sekt is made in Austria and Germany *Fortified* wines. - ANSWER • Extra alcohol added • 15-22% alcohol • E.g. Sherry (Spain) & Port (Portugal) *Styles* of wine. - ANSWER • Colour • Sweetness • Body • Oak • Tannins • Acidity *Colour* of wine. - ANSWER • *Red* Black grapes. Juice fermented in contact with skins • *White* Usually white grapes but black grapes as well, no skin contact. Lighter & refreshing • *Rosé* Black grapes. Less skin contact. Level of *Sweetness*. - ANSWER • Yeast dies at 15% above • Remaining sugar will determine how sweet the wine is • Dry - Medium - Sweet *Dry* wines. - ANSWER • No sugar left during fermentation • Most wines are dry Examples of *Dry* wines. - ANSWER • *White* Sauvignong Blanc from NZ, Sherry from Spain & Brut Champagne from France • *Red* Chianti from Italy, Cabernet Sauvignon from California & Châteauneuf-duPape from France *Medium* wines. - ANSWER • Usually white or rosé wines • Winemaker either stops fermentation by removing yeast before all sugars are consumed or adds unfermented grape juice Examples of *Medium* wines. - ANSWER • Germany white wines (Riesling) • White Zinfandel (rosé) from California *Sweet* wines. - ANSWER • Wine made out of grapes rich in sugar, yeast dies before all sugars are consumed or yeast dies because of the addition of extra alcohol • Sweetness and acidiy must be balanced not cloying Examples of *Sweet* wines. - ANSWER • *Sauternes* from France • *Port* from Portugal What is *Body*? - ANSWER • The general feel of the wine in the mouth when you taste it • Light - Medium - Full *Light* bodied wine. - ANSWER • Refreshing and easy to drink • E.g. Pinot Grigio (Italy) & Beaujolais (France) *Medium* bodied wine. - ANSWER • Richer more substantial • Oak barrels extra texture • E.g. Merlot (Chile) & White Burgundy (France) *Full* bodied wine. - ANSWER • Powerful, concentrated and heavy • Ripen grapes & use of Oak barrels • E.g. Shiraz (Australia) & oaked Chardonnay (California) *Oak*. - ANSWER • Fermented or matured in oak barrels • Gives flavour, tannins & texture • White wine becomes buttery with vanilla flavour • Red wine becomes smoother with spicy character *Tannins*. - ANSWER • Found in black grape skins • Felt in teeth, gums and tongue • Mouth dry sensation • Provides structure and complexity • Help wines to mature *Acidity*. - ANSWER • Refreshing qualities • Mouth watering sensation • Too much acidity tart • Too little acidity flabby and flat • Helps wine to mature