WSET Level 2 – Port Exam Questions
and Answers
Name one significant difference between port and sherry. - Answer-Port is made with
black grapes; sherry is made with white grapes.
What are the steps for producing Port? - Answer-1. Rapidly extract color and tannins
from the skins during a short period of fermentation. While there is still a high proportion
of sugar in the must, a grape derived spirit is added, resulting in a sweet wine, high in
alcohol. The wine is then aged in oak vessels before blending and bottling.
In the production of Port, the fermentation process is interrupted. - Answer-True.
In the production of Sherry, the fermentation process is completed. - Answer-True.
Is it true that sherries come out dry, but then can be sweetened before bottling? -
Answer-Yes.
Describe a Ruby Port. - Answer-They are deeply colored and fruity and they only spend
a short period in large oak vessels and are bottled ready to drink.
What are the three main styles of Port? - Answer-Inexpensive Ruby Port, Reserve Ruby
Port and Late Bottled Vintage Port.
Is Ruby Port non vintage? - Answer-Yes.
How many years do Ruby Port spend ageing? - Answer-Generally, less than 3 years.
How may years do Ruby Reserve Ports spend ageing? - Answer-Up to 5 years.
What is the main characteristic of Late Bottled Vintage Port? - Answer-The wines come
from a single year's harvest.
What is the aim of fortified wine production? - Answer-To increase the abv of the wine
by adding alcohol, usually in the form of a grape spirit.
When does fortification happen for Port? - Answer-During fermentation.
When does fortification happen for sherry? - Answer-After fermentation in complete.
Fino Sherry is fortified to what abv? - Answer-15%
Oloroso Sherry is fortified to what abv? - Answer-18%
and Answers
Name one significant difference between port and sherry. - Answer-Port is made with
black grapes; sherry is made with white grapes.
What are the steps for producing Port? - Answer-1. Rapidly extract color and tannins
from the skins during a short period of fermentation. While there is still a high proportion
of sugar in the must, a grape derived spirit is added, resulting in a sweet wine, high in
alcohol. The wine is then aged in oak vessels before blending and bottling.
In the production of Port, the fermentation process is interrupted. - Answer-True.
In the production of Sherry, the fermentation process is completed. - Answer-True.
Is it true that sherries come out dry, but then can be sweetened before bottling? -
Answer-Yes.
Describe a Ruby Port. - Answer-They are deeply colored and fruity and they only spend
a short period in large oak vessels and are bottled ready to drink.
What are the three main styles of Port? - Answer-Inexpensive Ruby Port, Reserve Ruby
Port and Late Bottled Vintage Port.
Is Ruby Port non vintage? - Answer-Yes.
How many years do Ruby Port spend ageing? - Answer-Generally, less than 3 years.
How may years do Ruby Reserve Ports spend ageing? - Answer-Up to 5 years.
What is the main characteristic of Late Bottled Vintage Port? - Answer-The wines come
from a single year's harvest.
What is the aim of fortified wine production? - Answer-To increase the abv of the wine
by adding alcohol, usually in the form of a grape spirit.
When does fortification happen for Port? - Answer-During fermentation.
When does fortification happen for sherry? - Answer-After fermentation in complete.
Fino Sherry is fortified to what abv? - Answer-15%
Oloroso Sherry is fortified to what abv? - Answer-18%
