1|Page
WSET LEVEL 2 WINES | COMPREHENSIVE Q&A
FOR GUARANTEED SUCCESS
Sweetness in food can make dry wines seem: -correct-answer-More drying, more
bitter, more acidic. Less sweet and fruity
Umami in food can make wines seem: -correct-answer-More drying, more bitter,
more acidic. Less sweet and fruity
Salty foods can make wines seem: -correct-answer-Less drying, less bitter, less
acidic. More fruity, more body
Acidic foods can make wines seem: -correct-answer-Less drying, less bitter, less
acidic. More sweet, more fruity
For long term storage of wines, how should wines be stored? -correct-answer-At a
cool constant temperature
Away from sunshine and bright light
If sealed with a cork, bottle should be stored on their side
,2|Page
What are the optimal service temperatures for Sweet and Sparkling wines? -
correct-answer-Sweet wines - well chilled - 6-8°
Sparkling wines - well chilled - 6-10°
What are the aromas associated with the following faults:
Cork Taint
Failure of Closure
Heat Damage -correct-answer-Cork Taint - Damp cardboard, lack of fresh fruit
flavours
Failure of Closure - Honey, caramel, coffee, lack of freshness and fruitiness
Heat Damage - Lack of fruit character and freshness
Name the main components of a grape and what they contain: -correct-answer-
Stalk - Tannins
Skin - Tannins, Colour, Flavours
Pulp - Sugar, Acid, Water
Seeds - Bitter Oils
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What varieties may be blended with Cabernet Sauvignon in Chile? -correct-
answer-Merlot and Carmenère
What region in Australia has a reputation for producing Cabernet Sauvignon wines
with a distinct herbal characteristic? -correct-answer-Coonawarra
What climates are best suited to Syrah/Shiraz production? -correct-answer-
Moderate and warm
What flavours would you expect from a moderate climate Syrah? -correct-answer-
Fresh black fruit (black cherry, blackberry), herbal and black pepper
What flavours would you expect from a warm climate Shiraz? -correct-answer-
Cooked black fruits and liquorice
What is the key natural factor that helps Syrah grapes to ripen in vineyards in the
Northern Rhône? -correct-answer-Steep slopes
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Which grape variety can be co-fermented with Syrah in Côte-Rôtie? -correct-
answer-Viognier
What is the small appellation in the Northern Rhône with a reputation for top
quality Syrah wines? -correct-answer-Hermitage AOC
Which warm climate region of Australia produces high quality Shiraz wines from
some of the world's oldest vines? -correct-answer-Barossa Valley
What natural factors moderate the temperature of Hunter Valley? -correct-
answer-Cloud cover and sea breezes
What is the most important region for Gamay production? -correct-answer-
Beaujolais AOC
What are the typical acidity, tannins and flavours expected from a Gamay wine? -
correct-answer-Acidity - high
Tannins - low to medium
Flavours - red fruit (raspberry, red cherry, red plum)
WSET LEVEL 2 WINES | COMPREHENSIVE Q&A
FOR GUARANTEED SUCCESS
Sweetness in food can make dry wines seem: -correct-answer-More drying, more
bitter, more acidic. Less sweet and fruity
Umami in food can make wines seem: -correct-answer-More drying, more bitter,
more acidic. Less sweet and fruity
Salty foods can make wines seem: -correct-answer-Less drying, less bitter, less
acidic. More fruity, more body
Acidic foods can make wines seem: -correct-answer-Less drying, less bitter, less
acidic. More sweet, more fruity
For long term storage of wines, how should wines be stored? -correct-answer-At a
cool constant temperature
Away from sunshine and bright light
If sealed with a cork, bottle should be stored on their side
,2|Page
What are the optimal service temperatures for Sweet and Sparkling wines? -
correct-answer-Sweet wines - well chilled - 6-8°
Sparkling wines - well chilled - 6-10°
What are the aromas associated with the following faults:
Cork Taint
Failure of Closure
Heat Damage -correct-answer-Cork Taint - Damp cardboard, lack of fresh fruit
flavours
Failure of Closure - Honey, caramel, coffee, lack of freshness and fruitiness
Heat Damage - Lack of fruit character and freshness
Name the main components of a grape and what they contain: -correct-answer-
Stalk - Tannins
Skin - Tannins, Colour, Flavours
Pulp - Sugar, Acid, Water
Seeds - Bitter Oils
,3|Page
What varieties may be blended with Cabernet Sauvignon in Chile? -correct-
answer-Merlot and Carmenère
What region in Australia has a reputation for producing Cabernet Sauvignon wines
with a distinct herbal characteristic? -correct-answer-Coonawarra
What climates are best suited to Syrah/Shiraz production? -correct-answer-
Moderate and warm
What flavours would you expect from a moderate climate Syrah? -correct-answer-
Fresh black fruit (black cherry, blackberry), herbal and black pepper
What flavours would you expect from a warm climate Shiraz? -correct-answer-
Cooked black fruits and liquorice
What is the key natural factor that helps Syrah grapes to ripen in vineyards in the
Northern Rhône? -correct-answer-Steep slopes
, 4|Page
Which grape variety can be co-fermented with Syrah in Côte-Rôtie? -correct-
answer-Viognier
What is the small appellation in the Northern Rhône with a reputation for top
quality Syrah wines? -correct-answer-Hermitage AOC
Which warm climate region of Australia produces high quality Shiraz wines from
some of the world's oldest vines? -correct-answer-Barossa Valley
What natural factors moderate the temperature of Hunter Valley? -correct-
answer-Cloud cover and sea breezes
What is the most important region for Gamay production? -correct-answer-
Beaujolais AOC
What are the typical acidity, tannins and flavours expected from a Gamay wine? -
correct-answer-Acidity - high
Tannins - low to medium
Flavours - red fruit (raspberry, red cherry, red plum)
