WSET LEVEL 2 WINES LATEST 2024 ACTUAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS|ALREADY GRADED A+
What effect does Botrytis/noble rot have on grapes? - ANSWER-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? - ANSWER-Damp
misty mornings followed by warm dry afternoons
What is the name given to sweet wines made from frozen grapes? - ANSWER-
Icewine/Eiswein
Between what latitudes are vineyards generally located? - ANSWER-30° and 50°
north and south of the equator
What affect does altitude have on the temperature of a vineyard? - ANSWER-
The temperature decreases with altitude
What affect do seas have on the temperature of a region? - ANSWER-They have
a moderating influence
What affect can clouds and fog have on the temperature of a vineyard? -
ANSWER-Clouds block sunlight, fogs cool down vineyards
,What affect can mountains have on grape growing in vineyards? - ANSWER-
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? - ANSWER-Slopes
facing the equator will receive more heat and light and producer riper grapes
What affect do stony soils have on grape growing? - ANSWER-Stones absorb
heat and make the vineyard warmer, this can help with grape ripening
What are problems associated with high levels of rain? - ANSWER-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? - ANSWER-Spring frost can damage
and kill the vine's new growth. This reduces the number of grapes that can be
grown
What is the name of the process of adding water to vines? - ANSWER-Irrigation
What are the names of the sprays used to kill fungi and weeds? - ANSWER-
Fungicides and herbicides
What does 'organic' mean for grape growing? - ANSWER-Grapes grown without
the use of most chemicals
What is the yield? - ANSWER-The amount of fruit produced per unit of area
What are the options for harvest? - ANSWER-Hand harvest or machine harvest
,What is a GI? - ANSWER-Geographical indication - a legally defined vineyard
area
What is a PDO? - ANSWER-Generally small areas with tightly defined
regulations
What is a PGI? - ANSWER-Generally large areas with less strict regulations
What happens to vines as they age? - ANSWER-Older vines produce a small
number of grapes which are more concentrated and complex and can result in
higher quality wines
What does the vintage on a label of wine refer to? - ANSWER-The year in which
the grape were harvested
What is the French equivalent to PDO and PGI - ANSWER-AOC/AOP and IGP
What is the Italian equivalent to PDO and PGI - ANSWER-DOC/DOCG and IGT
What is the Spanish equivalent to PDO and PGI - ANSWER-DO/DOCa and Vino
de le Tierra
What is the German equivalent to PDO and PGI - ANSWER-
Qualitätswein/Prädikatswein and Landwein
Sweetness in food can make dry wines seem: - ANSWER-More drying, more
bitter, more acidic. Less sweet and fruity
, Umami in food can make wines seem: - ANSWER-More drying, more bitter,
more acidic. Less sweet and fruity
Salty foods can make wines seem: - ANSWER-Less drying, less bitter, less acidic.
More fruity, more body
Acidic foods can make wines seem: - ANSWER-Less drying, less bitter, less
acidic. More sweet, more fruity
For long term storage of wines, how should wines be stored? - ANSWER-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? -
ANSWER-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 - ANSWER-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
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS|ALREADY GRADED A+
What effect does Botrytis/noble rot have on grapes? - ANSWER-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? - ANSWER-Damp
misty mornings followed by warm dry afternoons
What is the name given to sweet wines made from frozen grapes? - ANSWER-
Icewine/Eiswein
Between what latitudes are vineyards generally located? - ANSWER-30° and 50°
north and south of the equator
What affect does altitude have on the temperature of a vineyard? - ANSWER-
The temperature decreases with altitude
What affect do seas have on the temperature of a region? - ANSWER-They have
a moderating influence
What affect can clouds and fog have on the temperature of a vineyard? -
ANSWER-Clouds block sunlight, fogs cool down vineyards
,What affect can mountains have on grape growing in vineyards? - ANSWER-
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? - ANSWER-Slopes
facing the equator will receive more heat and light and producer riper grapes
What affect do stony soils have on grape growing? - ANSWER-Stones absorb
heat and make the vineyard warmer, this can help with grape ripening
What are problems associated with high levels of rain? - ANSWER-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? - ANSWER-Spring frost can damage
and kill the vine's new growth. This reduces the number of grapes that can be
grown
What is the name of the process of adding water to vines? - ANSWER-Irrigation
What are the names of the sprays used to kill fungi and weeds? - ANSWER-
Fungicides and herbicides
What does 'organic' mean for grape growing? - ANSWER-Grapes grown without
the use of most chemicals
What is the yield? - ANSWER-The amount of fruit produced per unit of area
What are the options for harvest? - ANSWER-Hand harvest or machine harvest
,What is a GI? - ANSWER-Geographical indication - a legally defined vineyard
area
What is a PDO? - ANSWER-Generally small areas with tightly defined
regulations
What is a PGI? - ANSWER-Generally large areas with less strict regulations
What happens to vines as they age? - ANSWER-Older vines produce a small
number of grapes which are more concentrated and complex and can result in
higher quality wines
What does the vintage on a label of wine refer to? - ANSWER-The year in which
the grape were harvested
What is the French equivalent to PDO and PGI - ANSWER-AOC/AOP and IGP
What is the Italian equivalent to PDO and PGI - ANSWER-DOC/DOCG and IGT
What is the Spanish equivalent to PDO and PGI - ANSWER-DO/DOCa and Vino
de le Tierra
What is the German equivalent to PDO and PGI - ANSWER-
Qualitätswein/Prädikatswein and Landwein
Sweetness in food can make dry wines seem: - ANSWER-More drying, more
bitter, more acidic. Less sweet and fruity
, Umami in food can make wines seem: - ANSWER-More drying, more bitter,
more acidic. Less sweet and fruity
Salty foods can make wines seem: - ANSWER-Less drying, less bitter, less acidic.
More fruity, more body
Acidic foods can make wines seem: - ANSWER-Less drying, less bitter, less
acidic. More sweet, more fruity
For long term storage of wines, how should wines be stored? - ANSWER-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? -
ANSWER-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 - ANSWER-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
