WSET LEVEL 3 CORE EXAM TEST 2026 QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS RATED A+
What is a hybrid? - ✔✔grape variety created by the joining of parents from 2 different
vine species
How many buds are retained with spur pruning? - ✔✔2-3
What is a clone? - ✔✔genetic mutation of the parent grape
Which part of the vine is a cordon? - ✔✔arm of permanent wood
What is the traditional treatment for Downy Mildew? - ✔✔copper-based spray
(Bordeaux mixture)
What are nematodes? - ✔✔microscopic worms that attach to the roots of a vine
What is the definition of a continental climate? - ✔✔greatest difference between the
hottest and coldest months
What is another name for Grey Rot? - ✔✔Noble Rot
What is the most effective solution used to protect grapes from birds? - ✔✔Netting
How would a grape grower best switch to a different variety between seasons? -
✔✔head grafting
When does flowering and fruit set occur in the Northern Hemisphere? - ✔✔May-June
What is needed for photosynthesis? - ✔✔sunlight, water, carbon dioxide
A warm climate has a temperature range of.... - ✔✔18.5-21 degrees Celsius
A cool climate has a temperature range of.... - ✔✔16.5 degrees celsius or below
A moderate climate has a temperature range of... - ✔✔16.5-18.5 degrees celsius
A hot climate has a temperature range of... - ✔✔21 degress celsius or higher
The philosophy that the vineyard cycles is connected to the air and other planets is part
of which methodology? - ✔✔Biodynamic Agriculture
Name 3 new world regions producing Pinot Noir from 3 different countries. -
✔✔Carneros - USA
,Sonoma - USA
Martinboorough - New Zealand
Marlborough - New Zealand
Central Otago - New Zealand
Yarra Valley - Australia
Mornington Peninsula - Australia
Tasmania - Australia
Walker Bay - South Africa
Casablanca Valley - Chile
List 4 methods of concentrating grape sugars. - ✔✔1) noble rot
2) drying grapes on the vine
3) drying grapes after picking
4) freezing grapes on the vine
. List the 3 techniques used to clarify wines - ✔✔1) settling
2) centrifugation
3) fining and filtration
What is typically added to an unfermented wine to de-acidify it? - ✔✔Alkali
What is the name for adding sugar to a must to increase alcohol levels of the end
product? - ✔✔Chaptalization
At what temperature does fermentation stop? - ✔✔over 35 degrees Celsius
Name a style of wine that would be deliberately oxidized in partially filled oak? -
✔✔Oloroso Sherry
What is used as both an antiseptic and antioxidant in winemaking? - ✔✔SO2
What is meant by racking? - ✔✔Wine is pumped into a different vessel leaving the cap
behind.
What is the name of the most important winemaking yeast? - ✔✔saccharomyces
cerevisiae
At what point in the winemaking process would a depth filter be used? - ✔✔before
stabilization
Chilling a wine to below 0 degrees celsius to form crystals is a form of? - ✔✔tartrate
stabilization
, White wine making for aromatic wines like Riesling and Sauv Blanc will typically see
what type of fermentation? - ✔✔Inert vessel fermentation to preserve primary fruit
character
Which method would you use to produce a very delicate colored rose wine? - ✔✔direct
press
What are the 4 noble grapes of Alsace? - ✔✔Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris,
Muscat
Describe the climate and geographic features of Alsace. - ✔✔Cool to moderate climate
with rain shadow effect from the Vosges mountains to the West
What are 3 grapes used in Sauternes and what does each grape contribute to the
blend? - ✔✔Semillon - susceptibility to noble rot
Sauvignon Blanc - refreshing acidity and fruity aromas
Muscadelle - exotic perfume
Describe high end wine from Saint-Emilion. - ✔✔Medium to high tannin with a soft and
rich mouthfeel with complex red berry fruit and plum aromas, developing tobacco and
cedar notes as they evolve
Where are the Cotes de Bordeaux and what type of wines are produced? - ✔✔Blaye,
Cadilla, Castillon, and Francs - on the right bank surrounding Saint-Emilion and
Pomerol
Producing merlot based wines intended for early drinking.
What is the only red grape permitted in Alsace? - ✔✔Pinot Noir
Which Muscat variety makes the best Muscat wines in Alsace? - ✔✔Muscat Blanc a
Petits Grains
What is the term for late harvest in Alsace? - ✔✔Vendange Tardive
What is the name of the mountain range that protects Alsace? - ✔✔Vosges
How would you describe an Alsatian Gewurtraminer? - ✔✔full bodied with a rich oily
texture, low to medium acidity and high alcohol and spice aromas
In which region of Bordeaux would you find the classification Premier Grand Cru Classe
A? - ✔✔Saint-Emilion
What best describes the climate of Bordeaux? - ✔✔Moderate Maritime
SOLUTIONS RATED A+
What is a hybrid? - ✔✔grape variety created by the joining of parents from 2 different
vine species
How many buds are retained with spur pruning? - ✔✔2-3
What is a clone? - ✔✔genetic mutation of the parent grape
Which part of the vine is a cordon? - ✔✔arm of permanent wood
What is the traditional treatment for Downy Mildew? - ✔✔copper-based spray
(Bordeaux mixture)
What are nematodes? - ✔✔microscopic worms that attach to the roots of a vine
What is the definition of a continental climate? - ✔✔greatest difference between the
hottest and coldest months
What is another name for Grey Rot? - ✔✔Noble Rot
What is the most effective solution used to protect grapes from birds? - ✔✔Netting
How would a grape grower best switch to a different variety between seasons? -
✔✔head grafting
When does flowering and fruit set occur in the Northern Hemisphere? - ✔✔May-June
What is needed for photosynthesis? - ✔✔sunlight, water, carbon dioxide
A warm climate has a temperature range of.... - ✔✔18.5-21 degrees Celsius
A cool climate has a temperature range of.... - ✔✔16.5 degrees celsius or below
A moderate climate has a temperature range of... - ✔✔16.5-18.5 degrees celsius
A hot climate has a temperature range of... - ✔✔21 degress celsius or higher
The philosophy that the vineyard cycles is connected to the air and other planets is part
of which methodology? - ✔✔Biodynamic Agriculture
Name 3 new world regions producing Pinot Noir from 3 different countries. -
✔✔Carneros - USA
,Sonoma - USA
Martinboorough - New Zealand
Marlborough - New Zealand
Central Otago - New Zealand
Yarra Valley - Australia
Mornington Peninsula - Australia
Tasmania - Australia
Walker Bay - South Africa
Casablanca Valley - Chile
List 4 methods of concentrating grape sugars. - ✔✔1) noble rot
2) drying grapes on the vine
3) drying grapes after picking
4) freezing grapes on the vine
. List the 3 techniques used to clarify wines - ✔✔1) settling
2) centrifugation
3) fining and filtration
What is typically added to an unfermented wine to de-acidify it? - ✔✔Alkali
What is the name for adding sugar to a must to increase alcohol levels of the end
product? - ✔✔Chaptalization
At what temperature does fermentation stop? - ✔✔over 35 degrees Celsius
Name a style of wine that would be deliberately oxidized in partially filled oak? -
✔✔Oloroso Sherry
What is used as both an antiseptic and antioxidant in winemaking? - ✔✔SO2
What is meant by racking? - ✔✔Wine is pumped into a different vessel leaving the cap
behind.
What is the name of the most important winemaking yeast? - ✔✔saccharomyces
cerevisiae
At what point in the winemaking process would a depth filter be used? - ✔✔before
stabilization
Chilling a wine to below 0 degrees celsius to form crystals is a form of? - ✔✔tartrate
stabilization
, White wine making for aromatic wines like Riesling and Sauv Blanc will typically see
what type of fermentation? - ✔✔Inert vessel fermentation to preserve primary fruit
character
Which method would you use to produce a very delicate colored rose wine? - ✔✔direct
press
What are the 4 noble grapes of Alsace? - ✔✔Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris,
Muscat
Describe the climate and geographic features of Alsace. - ✔✔Cool to moderate climate
with rain shadow effect from the Vosges mountains to the West
What are 3 grapes used in Sauternes and what does each grape contribute to the
blend? - ✔✔Semillon - susceptibility to noble rot
Sauvignon Blanc - refreshing acidity and fruity aromas
Muscadelle - exotic perfume
Describe high end wine from Saint-Emilion. - ✔✔Medium to high tannin with a soft and
rich mouthfeel with complex red berry fruit and plum aromas, developing tobacco and
cedar notes as they evolve
Where are the Cotes de Bordeaux and what type of wines are produced? - ✔✔Blaye,
Cadilla, Castillon, and Francs - on the right bank surrounding Saint-Emilion and
Pomerol
Producing merlot based wines intended for early drinking.
What is the only red grape permitted in Alsace? - ✔✔Pinot Noir
Which Muscat variety makes the best Muscat wines in Alsace? - ✔✔Muscat Blanc a
Petits Grains
What is the term for late harvest in Alsace? - ✔✔Vendange Tardive
What is the name of the mountain range that protects Alsace? - ✔✔Vosges
How would you describe an Alsatian Gewurtraminer? - ✔✔full bodied with a rich oily
texture, low to medium acidity and high alcohol and spice aromas
In which region of Bordeaux would you find the classification Premier Grand Cru Classe
A? - ✔✔Saint-Emilion
What best describes the climate of Bordeaux? - ✔✔Moderate Maritime
