WSET LEVEL 3 TOP PRACTICE
EXAMINATION 2026 QUESTIONS
WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
◍ How do growers reduce the impact of spring frost in Burgundy?.
Answer: Using site selection to avoid frost pockets and active protection
such as wind machines or heaters.
◍ What is the principal grape in Chablis?.
Answer: Chardonnay
◍ What soil types influence quality in the Côte d'Or?.
Answer: Limestone and marl.
◍ How does limestone affect wine quality?.
Answer: It contributes to good drainage and helps maintain acidity.
◍ What is a winemaking choice for Chardonnay in the Côte de Beaune that
increases complexity?.
Answer: Oak fermentation/maturation.
◍ What is another winemaking choice that can increase complexity in
Chardonnay?.
Answer: Lees ageing with bâtonnage.
◍ What is the typical structure of a good-quality Left Bank Cabernet-led
Bordeaux?.
Answer: Medium to full body, medium+ tannin, medium+ acidity, moderate
alcohol, with blackcurrant/black cherry notes.
◍ What is the typical style of a good-quality Chablis?.
Answer: Dry, high acidity, light to medium body, with citrus and green
apple, often a mineral/flinty character and little obvious oak.
, ◍ What are two key climate hazards in Burgundy?.
Answer: Spring frost and hail.
◍ What trellis/training approach is suitable for a high vigour Médoc vineyard?.
Answer: Open, vertical canopy such as VSP with either Guyot or Cordon.
◍ What is one reason why oak is widely used for classified Bordeaux reds?.
Answer: It helps integrate structure and improves texture through controlled
oxygen exposure.
◍ How do growers reduce the impact of spring frost in Burgundy?.
Answer: Using site selection to avoid frost pockets and active protection
methods like wind machines or heaters.
◍ What is a key style cue for Reserva in Rioja?.
Answer: More developed oak and bottle age characters with smoother
tannins.
◍ How does climate differ between Rioja Alta and Rioja Oriental?.
Answer: Rioja Alta is cooler and more influenced by Atlantic conditions,
while Rioja Oriental is warmer and drier.
◍ How does hail affect vineyards in Burgundy?.
Answer: It can damage leaves and berries, reducing photosynthesis and
increasing disease.
◍ What are two winemaking choices for Chardonnay in the Côte de Beaune
that can increase complexity?.
Answer: Oak fermentation/maturation and lees ageing with bâtonnage.
◍ What is the typical structure and flavour profile of a good-quality Left Bank
Cabernet-led Bordeaux?.
Answer: Medium to full body, medium+ tannin, medium+ acidity, moderate
alcohol, with blackcurrant, cedar, tobacco, and integrated spice/toast from
oak.
◍ How does American oak influence Rioja reds?.
Answer: It contributes more overt vanilla, coconut, and sweet dill-like notes.
EXAMINATION 2026 QUESTIONS
WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
◍ How do growers reduce the impact of spring frost in Burgundy?.
Answer: Using site selection to avoid frost pockets and active protection
such as wind machines or heaters.
◍ What is the principal grape in Chablis?.
Answer: Chardonnay
◍ What soil types influence quality in the Côte d'Or?.
Answer: Limestone and marl.
◍ How does limestone affect wine quality?.
Answer: It contributes to good drainage and helps maintain acidity.
◍ What is a winemaking choice for Chardonnay in the Côte de Beaune that
increases complexity?.
Answer: Oak fermentation/maturation.
◍ What is another winemaking choice that can increase complexity in
Chardonnay?.
Answer: Lees ageing with bâtonnage.
◍ What is the typical structure of a good-quality Left Bank Cabernet-led
Bordeaux?.
Answer: Medium to full body, medium+ tannin, medium+ acidity, moderate
alcohol, with blackcurrant/black cherry notes.
◍ What is the typical style of a good-quality Chablis?.
Answer: Dry, high acidity, light to medium body, with citrus and green
apple, often a mineral/flinty character and little obvious oak.
, ◍ What are two key climate hazards in Burgundy?.
Answer: Spring frost and hail.
◍ What trellis/training approach is suitable for a high vigour Médoc vineyard?.
Answer: Open, vertical canopy such as VSP with either Guyot or Cordon.
◍ What is one reason why oak is widely used for classified Bordeaux reds?.
Answer: It helps integrate structure and improves texture through controlled
oxygen exposure.
◍ How do growers reduce the impact of spring frost in Burgundy?.
Answer: Using site selection to avoid frost pockets and active protection
methods like wind machines or heaters.
◍ What is a key style cue for Reserva in Rioja?.
Answer: More developed oak and bottle age characters with smoother
tannins.
◍ How does climate differ between Rioja Alta and Rioja Oriental?.
Answer: Rioja Alta is cooler and more influenced by Atlantic conditions,
while Rioja Oriental is warmer and drier.
◍ How does hail affect vineyards in Burgundy?.
Answer: It can damage leaves and berries, reducing photosynthesis and
increasing disease.
◍ What are two winemaking choices for Chardonnay in the Côte de Beaune
that can increase complexity?.
Answer: Oak fermentation/maturation and lees ageing with bâtonnage.
◍ What is the typical structure and flavour profile of a good-quality Left Bank
Cabernet-led Bordeaux?.
Answer: Medium to full body, medium+ tannin, medium+ acidity, moderate
alcohol, with blackcurrant, cedar, tobacco, and integrated spice/toast from
oak.
◍ How does American oak influence Rioja reds?.
Answer: It contributes more overt vanilla, coconut, and sweet dill-like notes.
