WSET Level 2 Wines Q&A
Sweetness in food can make dry wines seem: - =More drying, more bitter, more acidic. Less
sweet and fruity
Umami in food can make wines seem: - =More drying, more bitter, more acidic. Less sweet and
fruity
Salty foods can make wines seem: - =Less drying, less bitter, less acidic. More fruity, more body
Acidic foods can make wines seem: - =Less drying, less bitter, less acidic. More sweet, more
fruity
For long term storage of wines, how should wines be stored? - =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? - =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 - =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: - =Stalk - Tannins
Skin - Tannins, Colour, Flavours
,Pulp - Sugar, Acid, Water
Seeds - Bitter Oils
What is photosynthesis? - =The process where sunlight, carbon dioxide and water are combined
to produce sugars
What are the five things a vine needs to grow? - =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 - =Flowering
Fruit set
Véraison
Ripening
Extra ripening
What changes in grapes as they ripen? - =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? - =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? - =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? - =Damp misty mornings followed by
warm dry afternoons
What is the name given to sweet wines made from frozen grapes? - =Icewine/Eiswein
Between what latitudes are vineyards generally located? - =30° and 50° north and south of the
equator
What affect does altitude have on the temperature of a vineyard? - =The temperature decreases
with altitude
What affect do seas have on the temperature of a region? - =They have a moderating influence
What affect can clouds and fog have on the temperature of a vineyard? - =Clouds block sunlight,
fogs cool down vineyards
What affect can mountains have on grape growing in vineyards? - =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? - =Slopes facing the equator will
receive more heat and light and producer riper grapes
What affect do stony soils have on grape growing? - =Stones absorb heat and make the vineyard
warmer, this can help with grape ripening
What are problems associated with high levels of rain? - =High levels of moisture can help
spread fungal disease. Rain close to harvest can cause grapes to swell and dilute flavours
What happens to vines affected by frost? - =Spring frost can damage and kill the vine's new
growth. This reduces the number of grapes that can be grown
Sweetness in food can make dry wines seem: - =More drying, more bitter, more acidic. Less
sweet and fruity
Umami in food can make wines seem: - =More drying, more bitter, more acidic. Less sweet and
fruity
Salty foods can make wines seem: - =Less drying, less bitter, less acidic. More fruity, more body
Acidic foods can make wines seem: - =Less drying, less bitter, less acidic. More sweet, more
fruity
For long term storage of wines, how should wines be stored? - =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? - =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 - =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: - =Stalk - Tannins
Skin - Tannins, Colour, Flavours
,Pulp - Sugar, Acid, Water
Seeds - Bitter Oils
What is photosynthesis? - =The process where sunlight, carbon dioxide and water are combined
to produce sugars
What are the five things a vine needs to grow? - =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 - =Flowering
Fruit set
Véraison
Ripening
Extra ripening
What changes in grapes as they ripen? - =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? - =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? - =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? - =Damp misty mornings followed by
warm dry afternoons
What is the name given to sweet wines made from frozen grapes? - =Icewine/Eiswein
Between what latitudes are vineyards generally located? - =30° and 50° north and south of the
equator
What affect does altitude have on the temperature of a vineyard? - =The temperature decreases
with altitude
What affect do seas have on the temperature of a region? - =They have a moderating influence
What affect can clouds and fog have on the temperature of a vineyard? - =Clouds block sunlight,
fogs cool down vineyards
What affect can mountains have on grape growing in vineyards? - =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? - =Slopes facing the equator will
receive more heat and light and producer riper grapes
What affect do stony soils have on grape growing? - =Stones absorb heat and make the vineyard
warmer, this can help with grape ripening
What are problems associated with high levels of rain? - =High levels of moisture can help
spread fungal disease. Rain close to harvest can cause grapes to swell and dilute flavours
What happens to vines affected by frost? - =Spring frost can damage and kill the vine's new
growth. This reduces the number of grapes that can be grown
