WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Test) Level 1
The free basic wine quiz for Wineexams. Com. Introductory level wine knowledge test.
- 1.
How does red wine get its color?
- A.
Artificial coloring
- B.
Contact with grape skins during fermentation
- C.
Crushing the grapes
- D.
Reaction from contact with the type of yeast
Correct Answer
B. Contact with grape skins during fermentationExplanation
Red wine comes from the use of red (all dark colored) grapes. During the fermentation process, the grape juice remains in contact with the skins for a period of a couple of weeks, giving the red wine its color. If the skins are removed immediately after the crush, the resulting wine from the red grapes will actually be white or light pink.Rate this question:
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- 2.
White wine comes from which grapes?
- A.
White grapes
- B.
Red grapes
- C.
Both white and red grapes
Correct Answer
C. Both white and red grapesExplanation
While the majority of white wine comes from white grapes, white wine can also be made from red grapes if the skins are removed immediately after the crush.Rate this question:
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- 3.
How do rose wines obtain their pink color?
- A.
A. Contact with skins for a short period of time
- B.
B. Blending of a finished red and white wine
- C.
C. Addition of water to a finished red wine
- D.
Both A and B
Correct Answer
D. Both A and BExplanation
Most fine rose wines result from contact with red grape skins for a short (2-3 day) period of time during fermentation. This requires the winemaker to gauge the desired level of color and remove the skins at the precise moment he achieves the proper color. A much less stressful method used in bulk rose production is to blend a finished red wine with a finished white wine to obtain the proper color level.Rate this question:
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- 4.
How does sparkling wine get its bubbles?
- A.
Carbonation
- B.
Secondary fermentation in the bottle
- C.
Secondary fermentation in a sealed tank
- D.
All of the above
Correct Answer
D. All of the aboveExplanation
While the finest champagnes all result from a secondary fermentation occurring in the bottle, this is also the most labor-intensive (and therefore expensive) method (traditional method). Other methods include a secondary fermentation in a closed tank(Tank or Charmat method), or simple carbonation (which results in large, flabby, short-lasting bubbles).Rate this question:
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- 5.
Most wines are at their best if stored in a cellar for at least 10 years.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
While hearing about a 1980 Chateau Margaux sounds exotic, the truth is that most wines are created with the intent to be consumed within a short period of time, especially among white and sparkling wines.Rate this question:
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- 6.
How should wine be stored?
- A.
In a cool, dark location
- B.
In a warm, bright location to prevent mold
- C.
Near vibrations (stairs, elevator) to prevent sediment build up
Correct Answer
A. In a cool, dark locationExplanation
Wine is best stored in a cool, dark location away from vibrations. Sunlight and heat can "cook" a wine.Rate this question:
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- 7.
A wine that smells musty or of wet cardboard when opened is a sign of
- A.
Oxidation
- B.
A good Merlot
- C.
Long growing season
- D.
Cork taint
Correct Answer
D. Cork taintExplanation
Cork taint is a result of contact with a flawed cork. This occurs in 1% to 7% of all wines depending upon your source. Cork taint is undetectable until a wine is opened. It occurs in all quality levels and price ranges of wines. A wine suffering from cork taint is referred to as "corked" and should be discarded.Rate this question:
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- 8.
Why are wines traditionally stored on their side?
- A.
Provides easy access to all wines in a rack
- B.
Keeps the cork moist
- C.
Result of influential cabinet makers in the 12th century
- D.
Less likely to fall in case of an earthquake
Correct Answer
B. Keeps the cork moistExplanation
If a bottle of wine with a cork is stored upright, the cork will dry out, allowing oxygen to enter the bottle. This will result in oxidation of the wine, turning the wine (both red and white) more brown in color, tasting stale, and giving undesirable flavors.Rate this question:
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- 9.
What are tannins?
- A.
Compounds in red wine added by grape skins, seeds, stems, and contact with oak
- B.
The technical description for a "leathery" taste in wine
- C.
Synthetic corks
- D.
How the wine clings to the side of a glass, also referred to as "legs"
Correct Answer
A. Compounds in red wine added by grape skins, seeds, stems, and contact with oakExplanation
Red wines will have a varying amount of tannin levels depending upon the grape used and the winemaking process. Tannins add astringency (dryness) and bitterness. Wines high in tannins will have the tannins "soften" or "mellow" with age.Rate this question:
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- 10.
Red wines from the Bordeaux region are
- A.
Full bodied wines made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc
- B.
Full bodied wines made from Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvedre
- C.
Medium bodied wines made from Pinot Noir
- D.
Medium bodied wines made from Sangiovese
- E.
Medium bodied wines made from Tempranillo
Correct Answer
A. Full bodied wines made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet FrancExplanation
Bordeaux is located southwest France. Regions on the left bank of the Garonne river(south of the river) tend to have a higher percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon while reqions on the right bank (north of the river) use Merlot as the predominant grape.Rate this question:
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- 11.
Red wines from the Burgundy region are
- A.
Full bodied wines made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc
- B.
Full bodied wines made from Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvedre
- C.
Medium bodied wines made from Pinot Noir
- D.
Medium bodied wines made from Sangiovese
- E.
Medium bodied wines made from Tempranillo
Correct Answer
C. Medium bodied wines made from Pinot NoirExplanation
Burgundy lies in eastern France along the Soane river. It is the world's most famous region for exceptional red wines made from Pinot Noir.Rate this question:
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- 12.
Red wines from the Cotes du Rhone region are
- A.
Full bodied wines made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc
- B.
Full bodied wines made from Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvedre
- C.
Medium bodied wines made from Pinot Noir
- D.
Medium bodied wines made from Sangiovese
- E.
Medium bodied wines made from Tempranillo
Correct Answer
B. Full bodied wines made from Syrah, Grenache, and MourvedreExplanation
The Rhone valley lies in southeastern France where the Rhone river meets the Mediterranean sea. Wines in the Northern Rhone tend to be made with a high percentage of Syrah while the wines in the south use a higher amount of Grenache along with Syrah and Mourvedre.Rate this question:
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- 13.
Red wines from the Chianti region are
- A.
Full bodied wines made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc
- B.
Full bodied wines made from Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvedre
- C.
Medium bodied wines made from Pinot Noir
- D.
Medium bodied wines made from Sangiovese
- E.
Medium bodied wines made from Tempranillo
Correct Answer
D. Medium bodied wines made from SangioveseExplanation
The Chianti region lies within Tuscany in western Italy. Laws dictate that the grape Sangiovese must be used in order for the wine to be called a "Chianti". Pioneering winemakers have experimenting with blending Sangiovese with Cabernet Sauvignon and other grapes to make "Super Tuscan" wines.Rate this question:
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- 14.
Red wines from the Rioja region are
- A.
Full bodied wines made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc
- B.
Full bodied wines made from Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvedre
- C.
Medium bodied wines made from Pinot Noir
- D.
Medium bodied wines made from Sangiovese
- E.
Medium bodied wines made from Tempranillo
Correct Answer
E. Medium bodied wines made from TempranilloExplanation
Rioja lies in Northern Spain along the Ebro riverRate this question:
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- 15.
As a general rule, red wines in order of lightest to darkest are:
- A.
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir
- B.
Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
- C.
Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon
- D.
Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
Correct Answer
D. Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet SauvignonExplanation
While winemakers can certainly manipulate the final wine, generally speaking, Pinot Noir wines tend to be lightest and lowest in tannins while Cabernet Sauvignon is the boldest and most tannic. Merlot is usually right in the middle.Rate this question:
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- 16.
Which red wine is usually served slightly chilled?
- A.
Cabernet Sauvignon
- B.
Malbec
- C.
Beaujolais-Nouveau
- D.
Shiraz
Correct Answer
C. Beaujolais-NouveauExplanation
Beaujolais-Nouveau is produced from the Gamay grape and comes from the Beaujolais region in Eastern France (just south of Burgundy). This light red wine benefits from being slightly chilled and is best consumed very young.Rate this question:
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- 17.
Syrah and Shiraz are the same grape varietal
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
While most of the world refers to the grape as Syrah, Australia refers to it as Shiraz. Two of the worlds best regions for this grape are the Cotes du Rhone inSoutheastern France and the Barossa Valley in South Australia.Rate this question:
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- 18.
Why is red wine typically paired with heavier meats such as beef?
- A.
The tannins help to break apart the meat while chewing
- B.
A white wine would be overpowered by the strong flavors of the meat
- C.
A red wine can balance well with the pronounced flavors of the meat
- D.
All of the above
Correct Answer
D. All of the aboveExplanation
Tannins can help soften and break down a chewy piece of meat. Dark red wines balance well with rich cuts of meat while lighter reds and nearly all whites would be overwhelmed by the flavors of the meat.Rate this question:
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- 19.
What color of wine would you pair with a pasta dish?
- A.
A full bodied red
- B.
A crisp, high acid white
- C.
It depends on the sauce
- D.
A heavily oaked Chardonnay
Correct Answer
C. It depends on the sauceExplanation
The pasta itself rarely is the deciding factor on which wine to use. It is the other components of the pasta dish (sauce, filling) that are the determining factor.Rate this question:
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- 20.
Which white wine is typically light in body, lower in alcohol, and frequently off-dry (slightly sweet)?
- A.
Chardonnay
- B.
Sauvignon Blanc
- C.
Riesling
Correct Answer
C. RieslingExplanation
Riesling traditionally hails from Germany, although it also does well in Alsace, the Pacific Northwest, New York, and cooler regions in Australia and New Zealand. It is light bodied, fruity, and tangy.Rate this question:
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- 21.
Which white wine is typically medium in body, high in acidity, and rarely aged in oak?
- A.
Chardonnay
- B.
Sauvignon Blanc
- C.
Riesling
Correct Answer
B. Sauvignon BlancExplanation
Sauvignon Blanc is a very versatile white wine that pairs well with a wide variety of foods. It's most famous regions are New Zealand, France (Loire Valley and Bordeaux), and California.Rate this question:
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- 22.
Which white wine is typically full in body, frequently oaked, and known for a rich, buttery flavor?
- A.
Chardonnay
- B.
Sauvignon Blanc
- C.
Riesling
Correct Answer
A. ChardonnayExplanation
Chardonnay is the world's most popular wine. While most of us know it for the heavy oak and butter flavors, neither of these flavors actually come from the grape, but from winemaking techniques frequently applied to this particular grape.Rate this question:
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- 23.
Which country produces Sherry?
- A.
Italy
- B.
France
- C.
Portugal
- D.
Spain
Correct Answer
D. SpainExplanation
Spain is the correct answer because Sherry is a fortified wine that is produced in the region of Jerez in southern Spain. The production of Sherry is regulated by Spanish law, and it must meet specific criteria to be labeled as Sherry. The unique climate and soil conditions in Jerez contribute to the distinct flavor profile of Sherry, making it a popular and traditional Spanish wine.Rate this question:
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- 24.
Which of the following is a still red wine?
- A.
Spatlese
- B.
Tempranillo
- C.
Sherry
- D.
Pinot Gris
Correct Answer
B. TempranilloExplanation
Tempranillo is a still red wine because it is made from red grapes and does not undergo any carbonation or fermentation process to produce bubbles or effervescence. It is typically aged in oak barrels, resulting in a smooth and rich flavor profile. Spatlese is a German term used to describe a late-harvest wine, which can be either red or white. Sherry is a fortified wine that can be either red or white, but it is typically dry or semi-sweet. Pinot Gris is a white wine grape variety, so it is not a red wine.Rate this question:
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- 25.
What is the name for sparkling wine from Spain?
- A.
Champagne
- B.
Prosecco
- C.
Cava
- D.
Asti
Correct Answer
C. CavaExplanation
Cava is the correct answer because it is the name for sparkling wine from Spain. Champagne is a sparkling wine from France, Prosecco is from Italy, and Asti is a type of sparkling wine from the Piedmont region of Italy. Therefore, Cava is the only option that corresponds to the sparkling wine specifically from Spain.Rate this question:
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- 26.
Traditional and tank method are two ways to make which type of wine?
- A.
Still
- B.
Distilled
- C.
Sparkling
- D.
Fortified
Correct Answer
C. SparklingExplanation
Traditional and tank method are two commonly used methods to make sparkling wine. In the traditional method, also known as the Champagne method, the wine undergoes a second fermentation in the bottle, creating the carbonation. This method is time-consuming and labor-intensive. The tank method, also called the Charmat method, involves conducting the second fermentation in large tanks rather than individual bottles. Both methods result in the production of sparkling wine, making it the correct answer.Rate this question:
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