WSET Level 1 Exam Study Guide

WSET Level 1 Exam Study Guide What is wine? - A drink made from the fermented juice or freshly-picked grapes. One of the most natural of all alcoholic drinks. What is fermentation? - A natural process caused by yeast. What is yeast? - Are microscopic organisms that live naturally alongside grapes int he vineyard and winery. How does yeast live? - They feed on sugar, as found in grape juice, converting it to alcohol and carbon dioxide gas. What are the three types of wine? - Light wine Sparking wine Fortified wine Light wines - Majority of wines fall into this category. Between 8-15% alcohol, but a majority containing 11.5-14% alcohol. Light wines are named from.. - The region they are produced in. Bordeaux and Burgundy from France. Rioja from Spain. Chianti from Italy. Light wines from the New World countries get their name from.. - Labeled with the name of the grape used. Chardonnay or Shiraz from Australia. Sparking wines - Bubbles of CO2 gas have been trapped in the wine. Made all over the world. What are examples of sparking wines? - Champagne from France. Cava from Spain. Fortified wines - Extra alcohol is added. Alcohol levels of 15-22%. Examples of fortified wines.. - Sherry from Spain. Port from Portugal. Colour: Red - Using black grapes to make the wine. Color comes from the grape skins. Juice is fermented in contact with the grape skin, coloring the juice. Colour: White - Usually made with white grapes, but can also use black grapes. Often seen lighter, refreshing, alternative to red wines. Colour: Rosé - Made from black grapes; less contact with the skins. Not as full as reds but offer more body than whites. Tends to be a seasonal drink, mostly summer time. Sweetness.. - Dry Medium Sweet Explain the steps on how sweetness is "produced" - 1.) Grape juice is naturally sweet but yeast feeds not he grape sugars during fermentation, then the juice becomes less sweet. 2.) The yeast will die once the alcohol reaches 15% or when all the sugars have been used. 3.) Once the yeast is dead, any sugar remaining in the wine will determine how sweet the wine is. Sweetness: Dry - Process: The yeast will have turned all the sugar into alcohol and CO2. Most red wines and a majority of whites, some more than others.