Sherry and Port (WSET Level 2) Exam
Questions and Answers
Grape used in most Sherry - Answer-Palomino
Solera system - Answer-Technique of blending younger and older wines
FINO Sherry - Answer-Pale in color, dry, medium, and typically ~~ 15% abv
FLOR - Answer-Layer of yeast floating / protecting the wine from air
Pale Cream Sherry - Answer-Young Finos that have been sweetened with concentrated
grape juice
Amontillado - Answer-Fino sherry and then adding more spirits to increase alcohol and
so to kill off the flor. It has a deeper Amber color and nutty flavor.
Oloroso - Answer-Sherries fortified after fermentation to 18%abv
PX (Pedro Ximenez) - Answer-Intensely sweetened Sherry made from sun dried Pedro
Ximenez grapes...wines are almost black with dried fruit flavors.
Ruby Port - Answer-A non vintage wine that undergoes <3 years aging before bottling.
They are sweet, simple, fruity wines
Reserve Ruby Port - Answer-Better quality wines aged up to 5 years to help soften and
integrate the alcohol.
Late Bottled Vintage (LBV) Port - Answer-Similar to Reserve Ruby Port but wines come
from a single year's harvest. They are sweet, with high alcohol, medium tannins, and
medium to low acidity.
Vintage style Ports - Answer-Very best grapes...benefits from bottle age. Must be
decanted because they leave large deposits.
Tawny Style Port - Answer-Simple pale colored Ruby port adjusted in color by adding
little white port
Reserve Tawny Port - Answer-Made from aged wine of at least 6 years in small oak
vessels....some labeled with indication of age in years on bottle. Average age. No need
to decant best served chilled.
Questions and Answers
Grape used in most Sherry - Answer-Palomino
Solera system - Answer-Technique of blending younger and older wines
FINO Sherry - Answer-Pale in color, dry, medium, and typically ~~ 15% abv
FLOR - Answer-Layer of yeast floating / protecting the wine from air
Pale Cream Sherry - Answer-Young Finos that have been sweetened with concentrated
grape juice
Amontillado - Answer-Fino sherry and then adding more spirits to increase alcohol and
so to kill off the flor. It has a deeper Amber color and nutty flavor.
Oloroso - Answer-Sherries fortified after fermentation to 18%abv
PX (Pedro Ximenez) - Answer-Intensely sweetened Sherry made from sun dried Pedro
Ximenez grapes...wines are almost black with dried fruit flavors.
Ruby Port - Answer-A non vintage wine that undergoes <3 years aging before bottling.
They are sweet, simple, fruity wines
Reserve Ruby Port - Answer-Better quality wines aged up to 5 years to help soften and
integrate the alcohol.
Late Bottled Vintage (LBV) Port - Answer-Similar to Reserve Ruby Port but wines come
from a single year's harvest. They are sweet, with high alcohol, medium tannins, and
medium to low acidity.
Vintage style Ports - Answer-Very best grapes...benefits from bottle age. Must be
decanted because they leave large deposits.
Tawny Style Port - Answer-Simple pale colored Ruby port adjusted in color by adding
little white port
Reserve Tawny Port - Answer-Made from aged wine of at least 6 years in small oak
vessels....some labeled with indication of age in years on bottle. Average age. No need
to decant best served chilled.
