WSET Level 2 exam Question and
answers, 100% Accurate, rated A+
Both Tank and Bottled-Fermented Sparking Wines start with what? - ✔✔-Still Base Wine, usually light in
alchohol, and processes add approximately 1-2% a
...
WSET Level 2 exam Question and
answers, 100% Accurate, rated A+
Both Tank and Bottled-Fermented Sparking Wines start with what? - ✔✔-Still Base Wine, usually light in
alchohol, and processes add approximately 1-2% abv
What is Tank Method? - ✔✔-part of fermentation takes place in sealed tank, which prevents any carbon
dioxide gas from escaping
True or False: The base wine could be partially fermented must, where the last part of the fermentation
takes place in a sealed tank - ✔✔-True
What is Prosecco? - ✔✔-A sparkling wine from NE Italy, and it's usually made using the tank method
What grape variety is used for Prosecco? - ✔✔-The Glera grape, which gives a medium body, dry or off
dry sparkling wine with stone fruit flavor
What does Spumante mean? - ✔✔-fully sparkling wine
What does frizzante mean? - ✔✔-lightly sparkling wine
What is Conegliano-Valdobbiadene DOCG? - ✔✔-a premier sparking wine from NE Italy
What is Asti DOCG? - ✔✔-a sweet fruity light bodied sparkling wine from Piedmont, and it's made from
Muscat
Flavors: peach, grape, rose
What is Sekt? - ✔✔-German word for sparkling wine, both made in Germany and Austria
What are characteristics of Sekt? - ✔✔-Most are simple, inexpensive tank-method wine
Medium/Dry, light in body, floral and fruity
Generally uses cheap base wines sourced from anywhere in the EU
What is the main quality advantage of Bottled Fermentation? - ✔✔-Through extended contact with
dead yeast, the wines can gain bready, biscuity flavors
What is a base wine? - ✔✔-A still wine that is blended with sugar and yeast and then bottled, sealed and
stored.
What is second fermentation? - ✔✔-Takes place, in which the wine increases slightly in alcohol, and
CO2, which cannot escape from the sealed bottle, becomes dissolved in the wine.
What is yeast autolysis? - ✔✔-Most important part of bottle fermentation. The yeast self digest, release
flavours into the wine. Flavours are described as autolytic.
What is disgorge? - ✔✔-The process of removing the yeast sediments after fermentation and aging in
bottle.
What is the traditional method? - ✔✔-Bottle is slowly tipped and jiggled so the yeast cells slide into the
neck of the bottle. The plug of yeast in the neck is frozen, and pops out when the bottle is unsealed. The
bottle is topped up with wine and sugar.
What is dosage? - ✔✔-The amount of sugar added, which determines the sweetness of the final bottled
product.
What is Brut? - ✔✔-A very small amount of sugar is used
What is the transfer method? - ✔✔-Method to remove the yeast. Empty the entire contents of the
bottles into a tank under pressure, then filtered, and rebottled. Not permitted in Champagne or Cava.
Which grape varieties are used in Champagne to make sparkling wine? - ✔✔-Pinot Noir, Meunier,
Chardonnay
What is Champagne's condition like? - ✔✔-Cool climate, chalky soils, which allow sparkling wines to
have high acidity, medium body, and light alcohol. The weather varies from vintage to vintage, and the
grapes do not fully ripen.
What are non-vintage wines? - ✔✔-a blend of different vintages for quality and consistency
What is vintage Champagne? - ✔✔-A portion of the best wine of exceptional years make vintage
Champagne.
What is the minimum legal period of yeast autolysis? - ✔✔-15 months
What are Grandes Marques? - ✔✔-famous Champagne houses
Describe Vintage Champagne - ✔✔-Complex, intense fruity and autolytic flavors with vegetal, nutty or
honeyed complexity from bottle age.
What is Cremant? - ✔✔-Indicates sparkling wine made in France. The Loire is a major region for
production.
Where in the Loire Valley is Cremant made? - ✔✔-Saumur, where Chenin Blanc is the main grape
variety. It has high acidity, green and citrus fruit flavors, with some autolytic character.
What is Cava? - ✔✔-Spanish term for traditional-method sparkling wines. The main grape varieties are
local Spanish ones.
What are Cava's characteristics? - ✔✔-Fairly neutral fruit flavors, hint of pear, medium acidity, and very
little autolytic complexity
Characteristics of Sparkling Reds in Australia? - ✔✔-made with Shiraz, full bodied, with medium acidity,
and intense black and red berry fruit notes.
What are 3 ways for yeast to stop processing sugar into alcohol? - ✔✔-1. Remove yeast, using a fine
filter to ensure none remain
2.Yeast could be poisoned using sulfur dioxide
3. Fortify (add alcohol) during fermentation
What are Vin Doux Naturels? - ✔✔-Sweet fortified wines from Southern France such as:
Muscat de Beaumes de Venise
Muscat de Rivesaltes
What are characterisitcs of Muscat de Beaumes de Venise and Muscat de Rivesaltes? - ✔✔-unaged,
intense fruity aromas (grape, peach, perfume). Medium/full-bodied, and sweet, with high alcohol and
medium or low acidity
Where is Moscatel de Valencia from? - ✔✔-Spain
Where is Rutherglen Muscat from? - ✔✔-Northern Victoria, Australia
What are the tasting notes for Rutherglen Muscat? - ✔✔-Aged for a long period in oak, which oxydizes.
Dried fruit and kernel flavors (raisin, prune, fig, dried apricot, coffee, toffee). Sweet, full bodied, with
high alcohol and med or low acidity
What is süssreserve? - ✔✔-unfermented grape juice, used to sweeten medium or sweet German wines
When do yeasts die? - ✔✔-When alcohol reaches 15%
What are 3 ways to concentrate sugar in grapes? - ✔✔-1. Dry the grapes
2. Noble Rot
3. Freeze the grapes
How are grapes dried? - ✔✔-They shrivel on the vine, or are laid out in well-ventilated, dry spaces that
encourage evaporation.
What is Botrytis cinerea? - ✔✔-Noble rot, it attacks the skins, weakens skins, speeding up evaporation of
water. The mold adds its own unique flavors
What does Botrytis need? - ✔✔-ripe, healthy grapes, damp, misty mornings, warm dry afternoons to
speed the drying out of the grapes
Which grape varieties are susceptible to noble rot? - ✔✔-Semillon, Riesling, Chenin Blanc
What are tasting notes of botrytis wines? - ✔✔-dried apricots, ryebread, pineapple, sweet biscuit,
cabbage, orange marmalade, pineapple, mushroom
Describe Sauternes - ✔✔-region south of Graves AC in Bordeaux. Semillon is the main grape variety. Full
bodied wines have high alcohol and citrus stone fruit and botrytis flavor (lemon, peach). Hint of new
oak: vanilla, toast, coffee.
What is Tokaji? - ✔✔-wine from NE Hungary, the most famous are Tokaji Aszú.
What are puttonyos? - ✔✔-Level of sweetness in the wine. The sweetest is 6.
Describe Tokaji - ✔✔-Amber in color, full bodied, sweet, medium alcohol, dried fruits, sweet spices
(orange peel, orange marmalade, dried apricots, raisins, cinnamon, ryebread). With age, gain notes of
nut, coffee, caramel, and honey
True or False: In order to be classified as a BA or a TBA, the levels of sugar in the most are so high that
they can normally be achieved with the help of botrytis. - ✔✔-True
Where can botrytis affected sweet wines be made in the Loire, and what grape varietal? - ✔✔-Vouvray
AC; Chenin Blanc
Which Alsacatian grape varietals can be affected by botrytis? - ✔✔-Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris,
Muscat
Which Australian grape varietals can be affected by botrytis? - ✔✔-Semillon; Riesling
What is Eiswein? - ✔✔-Sweet wine that is made from grapes crushed while still frozen so that ice
crystals can be removed, leaving an intensely concentrated sugary grape syrup.
What are the characteristics of Eiswein? - ✔✔-pure, pronounced, varietal-fruity flavors, high acidity, full
body and syrupy sweetness.
Where is Eiswein made? - ✔✔-Canada, Germany, Austria
What do healthy grapes need? - ✔✔-CO2, Sunlight, water, warmth, and nutrients
What is climate? - ✔✔-Weather conditions (temperatures, rainfall, sunshine)
What do Hot Climate Grape Wines have? - ✔✔-more alcohol, fuller body, more tannin, less acidity
What do cool climate grape wines have? - ✔✔-less alcohol, lighter body, less tannin, more acidity
What tasting notes does a chardonnay have in a cool climate? - ✔✔-Green fruit (apple, pear), citrus,
high acidity, dry
What tasting notes does a chardonnay have in a moderate climate? - ✔✔-Citrus, stone fruit, melon,
med/high acidity, dry
What are tasting notes does a chardonnay have in a hot climate? - ✔✔-Tropical fruit (peach, banana,
pineapple, mango), medium acidity, dry
What are Chardonnay's Classical Regions? - ✔✔-Chablis, Puligny-Montrachet, Mersault, Mâcon, PouillyFuisse
What is the purpose for Malolactic Fermentation? - ✔✔-To soften harsh acids. Comes from wine-making
techniques, dairy flavor
What are lees? - ✔✔-dead yeast cells left behind after fermentation has finished.
True or False: Lees can be stirred through Chardonnay to add creamy texture - ✔✔-True
True or False: Flavours of toast, vanilla and coconut do not occur because of oak treatment - ✔✔-False
What is Chablis and where is it located? - ✔✔-Burgundy. Cool climate. Limestone soil.
Describe a Chardonnay from Chablis - ✔✔-Bone Dry, high acidity, green fruits, citrus, smoky, flinty,
mineral signature. No detectable oak.
Where in the Cote d'Or is chardonnay produced and what characterisitcs? - ✔✔-Southern half known as
the Cote de Beaune: Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet
Full bodied, complex, different flavours including citrus, white stone, and tropical fruit, oak, spice, and
savoury notes
What is produced in Mâconnais? - ✔✔-Chardonnay from Macon, Pouilly-Fuissé.
Describe Chardonnay from Mâcon - ✔✔-light, melon, citrus, little or no oak
Describe Chardonnay from Pouilly Fuissé - ✔✔-Full bodied, pineapple, melon and oak flavors
Where is Chardonnay produced in Australia? - ✔✔-Premium region; Yarra Valley, Adelaide Hills,
Margaret River
Where is Chardonnay produced in New Zealand? - ✔✔-Premium region; Hawke's Bay, Gisborne,
Marlborough
Where is Chardonnay produced in Chile? - ✔✔-Premium region: Casablanca
Where is Chardonnay produced in Argentina? - ✔✔-Premium region; Mendoza
Where is Chardonnay produced in South Africa? - ✔✔-Premium region; Coastal Region
Where is Chardonnay produced in the US? - ✔✔-Premium region; California: Costal Region, Sonoma,
Caneros
Where is Bulk Chardonnay made? - ✔✔-SE Australia, Western Cape, California, Central Valley (ChileO,
Pays d'Oc IGP, Val de Loire, S. Italy, Argentina
Describe classic Australian Chardonnay - ✔✔-Pronounced fruit (fresh citrus, melon), well integrated oak
Describe classic New Zealand Chardonnay - ✔✔-concentrated citrus, tropical fruit, high acidity,
pronounced oak flavor
Describe classic California Chardonnay - ✔✔-full bodied, intense, rich citrus, ripe peach flavors, flavors.
Some can be very savoury
What white grape variaties can Chardonnay be paired with? - ✔✔-Chenin Blanc, Semillon, Viognier
What is Pinot Noir? - ✔✔-black grape with thin skins, wine that are usually light in color with low to
medium levels tannins
What are characteristics of Pinot Noir in cool climates? - ✔✔-Vegetal (cabbage, wet leaves), high acid,
low tannin
Given the right balance, what can Pinot Noir exhibit? - ✔✔-red fruit (strawberry, raspberry, cherry),
vegetal and animal nuances (wet leaves, mushroom, gamey-meaty aromas)
What are characteristics of Pinot Noir in moderate climates? - ✔✔-red fruit, med/high acidity,
low/medium tannins
What should a Pinot Noir from Burgundy have? - ✔✔-medium bodied red with a balance of red-fruit and
savory aromas, light tannins, and medium to high acidity.
Where is Pinot Noir grown in France? - ✔✔-Burgundy: Cote de Nuits (Gevrey-Chambertin, Nuits St.
Georges); Cote de Beaune (Beaune, Pommard)
What is Spätburgunder? - ✔✔-German Pinot Noir
Where is Spätburgunder grown? - ✔✔-Germany: Baden and Pfalz
What characteristics does Spätburgunder have? - ✔✔-Pronounced, perfumed red berry fruit and light
tannins
Where is Pinot Noir grown in New Zealand and what are its characteristics? - ✔✔-Martinborough,
Central Otago, Marlborough
Full bodied, lower acidity, more intense fruit (cherry, strawberry), spicy notes
Where is Pinot Noir grown in Australia? - ✔✔-Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula
Where is Pinot Noir grown in the US and what are its characteristics? - ✔✔-California: Sonoma, Santa
Barbara, Caneros. Full bodied, intensely fruity, pronounced animal and vegetal characteristics (leather,
meat, wet leaves).
Oregon
Where is Pinot Noir grown in Chile what are its characteristics? - ✔✔-Casablanca, San Antonio
Intensely fruity, strawberry
Where is Pinot Noir grown in South Africa? - ✔✔-Coastal Region
What can Pinot Noir be blended with? - ✔✔-Red Burgundies, Gamay, Chardonnay for Sparkling Wines
What is Cabernet Sauvignon? - ✔✔-a black grape that gives deeply colored wines that have lots of
tannin, acidity, and strong aromas
What are typical flavors of Cabernet Sauvignon? - ✔✔-black fruits (black currant, black cherry),
herbaceous notes (bell pepper, mint, cedar). Oak softens tannins adding smoke, vanilla, coffee, high
acid, dry
What are typical flavors of Cabernet Sauvignon in a moderate climate? - ✔✔-black fruits (black currant,
black cherry), herbaceous notes (bell pepper, mint, cedar), high acid, dry
What are typical flavors of Cabernet Sauvignon in a hot climate? - ✔✔-fuller bodied, black cherry, less
herbaceous notes, softer tannins, high acid, dry
True or False: Because of intense fruit flavor, high levels of tannin and acidity, Cabernet Sauvignon is not
a good variety for making wines that age well - ✔✔-False
What is Merlot? - ✔✔-Black grape variety, less aromatic, less intense flavors, lighter tannins and acidity
than Cab, but more body, higher alcohol
What is International style Merlot's characteristics? - ✔✔-Black fruit (blackberry, black plum, black
cherry), full body, medium or low acidity, high alcohol, medium of gentle tannins. Super ripe grapes
display fruitcake, chocolate
What is cool/moderate Merlot's characteristics? - ✔✔-red fruit (strawberry, red berry, plum), some
herbal notes (mint), and a little more tannin and acidity than the international style
What is Bordeaux's climate like? - ✔✔-Moderate, maritime climate with long autumns
Which 3 rivers lie in Bordeaux? - ✔✔-Gironde, Garonne, Dordogne
Where is Cabernet Sauvignon grown in France? - ✔✔-Bordeaux's left bank: Medoc, Haut Medoc
(Pauillac, Margaux), Graves (Pessac-Leognan)
What are Cabernet Sauvignon's characteristics when grown in Bordeaux? - ✔✔-med/full body, long
length, black fruit, toasty oak
Aged: vegetal, tobacco, cedar
What is the soil like in Bordeaux? - ✔✔
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