WSET LEVEL 2 WINE CERTIFICATION LATEST 2026 ACTUAL
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
Sweetness in food can make dry wines seem: -ANSWER-More drying, more bitter, more
acidic. Less sweet and fruity
Umami in food can make wines seem: -ANSWER-More drying, more bitter, more acidic. Less
sweet and fruity
Salty foods can make wines seem: -ANSWER-Less drying, less bitter, less acidic. More fruity,
more body
Acidic foods can make wines seem: -ANSWER-Less drying, less bitter, less acidic. More
sweet, more fruity
For long term storage of wines, how should wines be stored? -ANSWER-At a cool constant
temperature
Away from sunshine and bright light
If sealed with a cork, bottle should be stored on their side
What are the optimal service temperatures for Sweet and Sparkling wines? -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 -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: -ANSWER-Stalk - Tannins
Skin - Tannins, Colour, Flavours
Pulp - Sugar, Acid, Water
Seeds - Bitter Oils
What is photosynthesis? -ANSWER-The process where sunlight, carbon dioxide and water
are combined to produce sugars
What are the five things a vine needs to grow? -ANSWER-Warmth, sunlight, carbon dioxide,
water, nutrients
Put the stages of grape formation and ripening in the correct order:
Ripening
Flowering
Extra ripening
Fruit set
Véraison -ANSWER-Flowering
Fruit set
Véraison
Ripening
Extra ripening
What changes in grapes as they ripen? -ANSWER-Grapes swell with water, acidity drops,
sugar increases, aromas change, in black grapes tannin ripen
, What happens to grapes when they are left on the vine for extra ripening? -ANSWER-Grapes
build up more sugar and exaggerated ripe aromas. Eventually they turn into raisins as water
evaporates. This concentrates sugars, acids and flavours and dried fruit aromas develop
What effect does Botrytis/noble rot have on grapes? -ANSWER-It makes tiny holes in the skin
of the grape which allows water to evaporate. This concentrates sugars, acids and flavours.
What are the conditions needed for noble rot to develop? -ANSWER-Damp misty mornings
followed by warm dry afternoons
What is the name given to sweet wines made from frozen grapes? -ANSWER-
Icewine/Eiswein
Between what latitudes are vineyards generally located? -ANSWER-30° and 50° north and
south of the equator
What affect does altitude have on the temperature of a vineyard? -ANSWER-The
temperature decreases with altitude
What affect do seas have on the temperature of a region? -ANSWER-They have a moderating
influence
What affect can clouds and fog have on the temperature of a vineyard? -ANSWER-Clouds
block sunlight, fogs cool down vineyards
What affect can mountains have on grape growing in vineyards? -ANSWER-Mountains can
act as a barrier, sheltering vineyards from clouds, rain and wind. This results in sunny
summers and long dry autumns
What affect do slope and aspect have on grape growing? -ANSWER-Slopes facing the
equator will receive more heat and light and producer riper grapes
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
Sweetness in food can make dry wines seem: -ANSWER-More drying, more bitter, more
acidic. Less sweet and fruity
Umami in food can make wines seem: -ANSWER-More drying, more bitter, more acidic. Less
sweet and fruity
Salty foods can make wines seem: -ANSWER-Less drying, less bitter, less acidic. More fruity,
more body
Acidic foods can make wines seem: -ANSWER-Less drying, less bitter, less acidic. More
sweet, more fruity
For long term storage of wines, how should wines be stored? -ANSWER-At a cool constant
temperature
Away from sunshine and bright light
If sealed with a cork, bottle should be stored on their side
What are the optimal service temperatures for Sweet and Sparkling wines? -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 -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: -ANSWER-Stalk - Tannins
Skin - Tannins, Colour, Flavours
Pulp - Sugar, Acid, Water
Seeds - Bitter Oils
What is photosynthesis? -ANSWER-The process where sunlight, carbon dioxide and water
are combined to produce sugars
What are the five things a vine needs to grow? -ANSWER-Warmth, sunlight, carbon dioxide,
water, nutrients
Put the stages of grape formation and ripening in the correct order:
Ripening
Flowering
Extra ripening
Fruit set
Véraison -ANSWER-Flowering
Fruit set
Véraison
Ripening
Extra ripening
What changes in grapes as they ripen? -ANSWER-Grapes swell with water, acidity drops,
sugar increases, aromas change, in black grapes tannin ripen
, What happens to grapes when they are left on the vine for extra ripening? -ANSWER-Grapes
build up more sugar and exaggerated ripe aromas. Eventually they turn into raisins as water
evaporates. This concentrates sugars, acids and flavours and dried fruit aromas develop
What effect does Botrytis/noble rot have on grapes? -ANSWER-It makes tiny holes in the skin
of the grape which allows water to evaporate. This concentrates sugars, acids and flavours.
What are the conditions needed for noble rot to develop? -ANSWER-Damp misty mornings
followed by warm dry afternoons
What is the name given to sweet wines made from frozen grapes? -ANSWER-
Icewine/Eiswein
Between what latitudes are vineyards generally located? -ANSWER-30° and 50° north and
south of the equator
What affect does altitude have on the temperature of a vineyard? -ANSWER-The
temperature decreases with altitude
What affect do seas have on the temperature of a region? -ANSWER-They have a moderating
influence
What affect can clouds and fog have on the temperature of a vineyard? -ANSWER-Clouds
block sunlight, fogs cool down vineyards
What affect can mountains have on grape growing in vineyards? -ANSWER-Mountains can
act as a barrier, sheltering vineyards from clouds, rain and wind. This results in sunny
summers and long dry autumns
What affect do slope and aspect have on grape growing? -ANSWER-Slopes facing the
equator will receive more heat and light and producer riper grapes
