WSET Level 1 Quiz

If a wine is described as light bodied, it is...

-easy to drink -simple -refreshing

What are the three primary grapes used in Champagne production?

1. Chardonnay 2. Pinot Noir 3. Pinot Meunier

Which are considered the *Noble* grape varieties?

1. Chardonnay 2. Sauvignon Blanc 3. Riesling 4. Cabernet Sauvignon 5. Merlot 6. Pinot Noir 7. Syrah/Shiraz

Opening a bottle of sparkling wine.

1. Ensure the wine is well chilled 2. Remove the foil 3. Loosen the wire cage 4. Secure the cork 5. Tilt the bottle 30˚ angle 6. Turn the bottle, not the cork 7. Hold the cork steady 8. The gas pressure must be released quietly

What are the 3 *types* of wine?

1. Light wine 2. Sparkling wine 3. Fortified wine

When following a professional tasting technique, what are the 3 elements to assess?

1. Look 2. Smell 3. Taste

Opening a bottle of Light (still) wine.

1. Remove the top of the capsule 2. Clean the neck of the bottle 3. Draw the cork gently 4. Clean the neck of the bottle inside-out

At what alcohol % will yeast begin to die?

15% => once all the sugar is used

World Health Organization recommends that women should not consume more than ___ units of alcohol per day?

2 units

World Health Organization recommends that men should not consume more than ___ units of alcohol per day?

3 units

The best pair to a sweet dish is...

A wine that has higher level of sweetness.

What is an *Unclean* wine?

A wine with unpleasant faulty aromas such as damp cardboard, vinegar or nail polish.

The majority of red and white wines are: A. Dry wine B. Sweet wine C. Off-dry wine D. Medium dry wine

A. Dry wine

What is *Wine*?

An Alcoholic drink made from the fermented juice of freshly-picked grapes.

*Acid and Fat* rule.

An acidic wine "cuts" through the fat of a dish cleansing the palate. Subjective though.

What is the best choice of food for a full bodied, tannic red wine such as an Australian Shiraz?

Anything with a heavy weight and high protein content (BBQ ribs, sirloin steak, pot roast)

What is the most well-known sweet wine from Italy?

Asti

What is the process to make *Red* wine?

Black grapes are... 1. Picked 2. Crushed 3. Fermented (with skins) 4. Pressed (skins removed) 5. Maturation 6. Blending (optional) 7. Bottling

How can *acidity* prevents sweet wines from being cloying and sickly?

By cleansing the palate and giving them balance.

Why small glasses are better to taste Fortified wines?

Cause they emphasize the fruit characteristics instead of the alcohol.

What grape is associated with the Chablis region?

Chardonnay

When all the available sugar in grape must has been turned into alcohol, the wine would be categorized as what?

DRY wine. (Dry = the absence of sugar)

What is Valpolicella?

Dry red wine from Italy Made from Corvina grapes.

What is Pinotage?

Dry red wine from South Africa Also the name of the grape

What is Chateauneuf-du-pape?

Dry red wine from southern France. Made from 13 possible grape varieties (Technically a region that makes white & red)

What is fino sherry?

Dry white wine from Spain.

TRUE OR FALSE. If a wine has high alcohol and low acidity, it was likely grown in a cold climate.

FALSE. Cold climate leads to lower alcohol and higher acidity.

TRUE OR FALSE. Oak aging gives wine less body and texture.

FALSE. Oak aging gives wine more body and texture.

When is harvest in the southern hemisphere?

February - April Makes wines from southern hemisphere from the same year about 6 months older than their northern hemisphere counterparts

*Flavour Intensity* rule.

Flavours in wine and food do not overpower each other.

Where do the majority of medium dry (medium sweet) wines originate from?

Germany (mostly riesling)

What is the importance of climate?

It can gives us an idea of the expected temperature and weather conditions in a region and how it will affect the grapes and therefore the wine produced in those regions.

What would happen if the cork dries?

It can let in some air that will make the wine taste stale and old.

When is the *Harvest* in the northern hemisphere?

Late summer/beginning of fall August-November

What are the characteristics of wine made from grapes grown in cool climates?

Less alcohol Lighter body Less tannin More acidity

What grape is associated with the St. Emilion region?

Merlot

What are the characteristics of wine made from grapes grown in hot climates?

More alcohol Fuller body More tannin (thicker skins) Less acidity

Umami (savoury) food will make a wine seem...

More drying and bitter; more acidic less sweet and fruity take care NOT to pair with wines with high levels of tannins or oak character

Acidity in wine causes what sensation when drinking them?

Mouth watering

How would taste a wine made from over-ripe grapes?

Over alcoholic, rich, flabby and lacking balance.

Red Burgundy is another name for _____________________

Pinot Noir

What grape is associated with the Central Otago region?

Pinot Noir

What is the most well-known sweet wine from Portugal?

Port

What grape is associated with the Mosel region?

Riesling

What is the most well-known sweet wine from France?

Sauternes From Bordeaux Made mostly from Semillon grapes

What grape is associated with the Pouilly Fume region?

Sauvignon Blanc

What grape is associated with the Sancerre region?

Sauvignon Blanc

Why dry white wine is New Zealand most well known for?

Sauvignon Blanc

Why medium size glasses to be used with White wines?

So the fresh and fruity characteristics are directed towards the top of the glass.

Sweet wines should have a good balance of what two things?

Sugar & Acidity

What factors are important for the grapes to ripen?

Sunlight and heat.

*Sweet and Salty* rule.

Sweet wine with a salty dish. Subjective also.

What is the difference when making *Rosé* wine vs. making a red wine?

The juice is in contact with the skins for a shorter period of time so the resulting wine is lighter in colour (pink).

Where does color in a wine come from?

The skins of the grapes.

What is *Climate*?

The weather condition... -temperature -rainfall -sunshine ...that one would expect in a typical year. Different than weather

How *sweetness*, *Chili Heat* and *Umami* in a dish can affect a wine?

The wine will loose its fruitiness and sweetness, feeling more acidic, bitter and alcoholic.

How would taste a wine made from unripe grapes?

Thin and sour. Too acidic.

Why large size glasses are recommended for Red wines?

To aerate the wine, they allow air to come in contact with the wine to develop the aromas and flavours.

What is the purpose of *Food Pairing*?

To enhance both, complementing each other than when consumed separately.

True or False: It is socially responsible to stop serving acohol to a drunken customer.

True

True or False: Red wines high in tannins are likely to mature further in the bottle?

True

True or False: Salt counteracts the impact of Umami on the wine?

True

When can a grape be considered ripe?

When the level of acid drops and the level of sugar increases. In black grapes the skin colour changes from green to red to deep purple.

What is the process to make *White* wine?

White (or black) grapes are... 1. Picked 2. Crushed 3. Pressed (skins removed) 4. Fermentation 5. Maturation 6. Bottling

What is *Fermentation*?

Yeast feed on sugar, converting it into alcohol and carbon dioxide gas, and heat. Grape juice (sugar) + Yeast = Alcohol + CO2 + Heat

Fatty/Oily food will make a wine seem...

less acidic pair with wines with high levels of acid in other words, if you would squeeze a lemon on it, serve it with an acidic wine

Acidic food will make a wine seem...

less bitter; less acidic; fruitier, sweeter, and richer take care NOT to pair with wines with less acidity

Salty food will make a wine seem...

less drying and bitter; less acidic salt can make tannic wines seem more palatable

Hot (chili) food will make a wine seem...

more drying and bitter; less sweet and less fruity alcohol increases the heat from the chili pair with wines that are light in alcohol, fruity, and possibly some sweetness

A sweet dessert will make a wine seem...

more drying and bitter; more acidic take care NOT to pair with wines that have less sweetness than the dessert OR with wines that have tannins

Highly flavoured food will make a wine seem...

overwhelmed by the food flavours pair with wines with similar intensity of flavours

The viscosity of a light bodied wine is...

similar to water; thin

How is the *Colour* of wine determined... 1. For red wine? 2. For white wine? 3. For rose wine?

• *Red* ➜ Black grapes. Juice fermented in contact with skins • *White* ➜ Usually white grapes. Lighter & refreshing • *Rosé* ➜ Black grapes. Less skin contact.

Examples of *Sweet* wines.

• *Sauternes* from France • *Port* from Portugal

Methods of *Preserving* wine.

• *Vacuum System* ➜ Removes Oxygen • *Blanket System* ➜ Argon gas form a protective layer between the wine and air

Examples of *Dry* wines.

• *White* ➜ Sauvignong Blanc from NZ, Sherry from Spain & Brut Champagne from France • *Red* ➜ Chianti from Italy, Cabernet Sauvignon from California & Châteauneuf-du-Pape from France

How many measures can you get from one 750ml bottle?

• 6 (125 mL) glasses • 4 (175 mL) glasses • 3 (250 mL) glasses

Excess drinking on regular basis increase the risk of...

• Alcoholism • Cirrhosis • Cardiac arrest and stroke • Stomach disorders (Ulcers) • Cancer • Social isolation

Name 2 famous *Riesling* regions.

• Alsace (France) • Mosel (Germany) • Australia (Eden Valley & Clare Valley)

What are the characteristics of *Sparkling* wines?

• Carbon dioxide trapped (bubbles) • Champagne is the best known (France) • Cava is made in Spain -Prosecco from Italy

Famous *Chardonnays*.

• Chablis (France) -Burgundy (France) • Champagne (France) • California

*Successful* pairings.

• Champagne and Caviar/Oysters • Sweet wines and desserts • Port with blue cheese • Riesling and Asian cuisine dishes • Indian food and neutral white wines • Shiraz and Lamb • Cabernet Sauvignon and Beef

What are the aspects of wine we use to describe the different styles?

• Colour • Sweetness • Body • Oak • Tannins • Acidity

How to assess the *Look* of a wine?

• Colour (Red - Rosé - White) • Intensity (Pale - Medium - Deep)

Best conditions to store wines.

• Cool and constant temperature • Bottles lay on its side, cork in contact with wine • Keep away from sunshine or artificial light

*Syrah/Shiraz* profile.

• Dry • Full bodied • High acidity • Medium to high tannins • Black fruits, spice & herbaceous flavours • Oaked ➜ spice and vanilla

*Merlot* profile.

• Dry • Full bodied • Medium acidity • Low to medium tannins • Red fruits and black fruits flavours • Oaked ➜ spice & vanilla

*Chardonnay* profile.

• Dry • Full bodied • Rich creamy texture • Cool region: green fruits, citrus high acidity • Hot region: Stone fruits, tropical fruits • It can spend time in oak ➜ spice & vanilla

*Pinot Noir* profile.

• Dry • Light bodied • High acidity • Low to medium tannins • Red fruits flavours

*Sauvignon Blanc* profile.

• Dry • Light to medium bodied • Refreshing high acidity • Green fruits and herbaceaous flavours

*Cabernet Sauvignon* profile.

• Dry • Medium to full bodied • High acidity • High tannins, deeply coloured • Black fruits & herbaceous flavours • Oaked ➜ spice & vanilla • Often blended

What are the 3 levels of sweetness in wine, as labeled by WSET?

• Dry - Medium - Sweet

*Riesling* profile.

• Dry to sweet • Light to medium bodied • High acidity • Intensily fruity • Stone fruits, citrus, floral & petrol (mature) flavours • Suitable for ageing

Best way to prepare the glassware.

• Ensure no detergent residues remain in the glass • Polish them before each use

What are the characteristics of *Fortified* wines?

• Extra alcohol added • 15-22% alcohol • E.g. Sherry (Spain) & Port (Portugal)

What influence does *Oak* have on wine? How is it used in winemaking?

• Fermented or matured in oak barrels • Gives flavour, tannins & texture • White wine becomes buttery with vanilla flavour • Red wine becomes smoother with spicy character

*Tannins* Where are they found? How do we experience them when drinking wine? What do they contribute to wine?

• Found in grape skins, seeds, and stems • Felt in teeth, gums and tongue • Mouth dry sensation • Provides structure and complexity • Help wines to mature

What is a *Red Bordeaux*?

• French red wine from Bordeaux • Dry • Medium bodied • Medium to high acidity • High tannins • Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot

What is *Châteauneuf-du-Pape*?

• French red wine made in Southern Rhone region • Made of 13 different grapes, but usually Grenache-dominant • Full bodied • Red fruit & spicy flavours High Alcohol

What is *Champagne*?

• French sparkling wine • Made from Chardonnay & Pinot Noir • High acidity

What is *Sauternes*?

• French sweet wine made from Semillon grapes • Made in Bordeaux • Full bodied • High acidity • Stone fruit & honey flavours -Made from a grapes affected by "noble rot" which dehydrates the grapes, concentrates sugars, and gives a spicy and "new shower curtain" aroma

What is *Beaujolais*?

• French unoaked red wine made from Gamay grapes • Light bodied • Fresh and fruity • Red fruit flavours • Low tannins

What is *Chablis*?

• French white wine made from Chardonnay • Dry • Medium-Full bodied • High acidity • Green fruits & citrus

What is *Sancerre*?

• French white wine made from Sauvignon Blanc • Dry • Medium bodied • High acidity • Green fruits and herbaceous flavours

Examples of *Medium sweetness* wines.

• Germany white wines (Riesling) • White Zinfandel (rosé) from California

*High Risk Food*

• High Sugar ➜ Sweeter wine • High Umami ➜ add salt or acid to the dish • High Bitterness ➜ White wine or Low tannin red wine • Chili Heat ➜ Sweet or fruity white wine or Low tannin red wine

*Low Risk Food*

• High in Acid ➜ High acid wines • High in Salt ➜ High acid wines

If the food is high in acidity, the effects on the wine are...

• If wine is high in acidity ➜ enhances fruitiness • If wine is low in acidity ➜ seem flat and flabby

Drinking alcohol can impair your judgement resulting in increasing the risk of...

• Injuries and accidents • Fights, arguments and relationship problems • Poisoning and alcoholic coma, brain damage and death

What is *Chianti*?

• Italian red wine made from Sangiovese grapes • Medium bodied • High acidity • High tannins

*Pinot Grigio* profile.

• Italian white grape • Dry • Light bodied • High acidity • Neutral/light flavours

What is *Soave*?

• Italian white wine • Made of Garganega grape • High acidity • Green apple and citrus flavours

Serving temperature for *Red* wines.

• Light bodied ➜ Lightly chilled (13˚C) 55F • M/F bodied ➜ Room temperature (15-18˚C) 59-64F

*Hot* climate.

• Mainly red grapes • High in alcohol • Rich in flavour • E.g. South of France, Central Spain and Australia; southern Italy

*Cool* climate.

• Mainly white grapes • High in acidity • Lower in alcohol • Refreshing and crisp • E.g. North of France and Germany; Oregon

Which other varieties are blended with Cabernet Sauvignon?

• Merlot (Bordeaux) • Shiraz (Australia-California)

Famous *Sauvignon Blancs*.

• New Zealand • Sancerre (Loire-France) • Pouilly Fume (Loire-France)

When serving wine ensure that...

• No debris are floating in the wine • It smells fresh not unpleasant

What is a *Dry* wine?

• No sugar left during fermentation • Most wines are dry

Famous *Syrah/Shiraz*.

• Northern Rhône (France) ➜ M bodied/H tannins/fruity • Australia ➜ F bodied/softer tannins/spicy

Things to remember when paing wine with food...

• People have different sensitivities to various flavours • Consider individual preferences before making any suggestion

Describe *Full* bodied wine and give two examples.

• Powerful, concentrated and heavy • Ripen grapes & use of Oak barrels • E.g. Shiraz (Australia) & oaked Chardonnay (California)

Famous *Pinot Noirs*.

• Red Burgundy (France) • Central Otago (New Zealand)

*Glassware* for serving wines.

• Red ➜ Large size glasses • White/Rosé ➜ Medium size glasses • Sparkling ➜ Flute glasses • Fortified ➜ Small glasses

Describe *Light* bodied wine and give two examples.

• Refreshing and easy to drink • E.g. Pinot Grigio (Italy) & Beaujolais (France)

*Acidity* What is the body's natural response to acid in wine? How do they affect the experience of drinking the wine? What does it contribute to wine?

• Refreshing qualities • Mouth watering sensation • Too much acidity ➜ tart • Too little acidity ➜ flabby and flat • Helps wine to age longer

Describe *Medium* bodied wine and give two examples.

• Richer more substantial • Oak barrels ➜ extra texture • E.g. Merlot (Chile) & White Burgundy (France)

Which are the two components in food that makes a wine taste *Softer*?

• Salt • Acid

*Low Risk Wines*

• Simple, unoaked, a little sweet

How does *ageing* affect red wines?

• Soften tannins • Allows wines to gain complexity • Develops aromas of leaves and mushroom

What is *Rioja*?

• Spanish red wine made from Tempranillo grapes • Full bodied • Red fruit & spicy oak flavours

Famous *Merlots*.

• St.Emilion (Bordeaux) • Chile

Serving temperatures for *White* wines.

• Sweet wines ➜ Well chilled (6-8˚C) 43-45F • Sparkling wines ➜ Well chilled (6-10˚C) 43-50F • Light bodied ➜ Chilled (7-10˚C) 45-50F • M/F bodied ➜ Lightly chilled (10-13C) 50-55F

Which are the two components in food that makes a wine taste *Harder*?

• Sweetness • Umami

How to assess the *Smell* of a wine?

• Swirl the wine • Sniff the wine • Condition (Clean - Unclean)

How to assess the *Taste* of a wine?

• Take a sip • Draw the wine and some air in making a slurping noise • Sweetness (Dry - Medium - Sweet) • Flavours (Fruits, Flowers, Spices, Vegetables, Oak etc.) • Body (Light - Medium - Full) • Tannins (Low - Medium - High) • Acidity (Low - Medium - High)

What is *Body*?

• The general feel of the wine in the mouth when you taste it • Light - Medium - Full

What are the characteristics of *Light* wines?

• They are still (no bubbles) • 8-15% alcohol • Named after a region (old world) • Named after a grape variety (new world)

What are the characteristics of *Medium sweetness* wines.

• Usually white or rosé wines • Winemaker either stops fermentation by removing yeast before all sugars are consumed or adds unfermented grape juice that still contains sugar

*High Risk Wines*

• Very complex and structured wines • High Tannins (bitterness) + High Acidity + High Alcohol

What are characteristics of *Sweet* wine? How are they made?

• Wine made out of grapes rich in sugar, yeast dies before all sugars are consumed or yeast dies because of the addition of extra alcohol • Sweetness and acidiy must be balanced ➜ not cloying

What are the guidelines from the World Health Organization for drinking alcohol?

• Women should not drink more than 2 units a day • Men 3 units a day • Not to exceed 4 units on any occasion • Don't drink if driving • Don't drink if pregnant • Abstain from drinking at least once a week