WSET Level 1 Award in Wines

What is the main purpose of the skin of a grape in winemaking?

• AIt provides the sugar needed for fermentation
• BIt provides color, tannin, and flavor compounds
• CIt stores all the acidity in the grape
• DIt protects the vine from disease only

What does yeast convert during the fermentation process?

• ATannin into color
• BAcid into sugar
• CSugar into alcohol and carbon dioxide
• DWater into juice

Which part of the grape contains the majority of the sugar?

• AThe skin
• BThe stem
• CThe pulp
• DThe seeds

In which season does the grape harvest typically take place in the Northern Hemisphere?

• AJanuary to March
• BApril to June
• CAugust to October
• DNovember to December

What effect does a warm climate have on grapes?

• AGrapes develop higher acidity and lower sugar
• BGrapes develop higher sugar and lower acidity
• CGrapes develop no sugar at all
• DGrapes remain unripe regardless of the temperature

What is the key difference between red and white winemaking?

• ARed wines use only Chardonnay grapes
• BWhite wines are always fermented in oak barrels
• CRed wines are fermented with the grape skins, while white wines are not
• DWhite wines always have higher alcohol than red wines

How is rosé wine typically made?

• ABy blending red and white wines together
• BBy using short skin contact with red grape skins
• CBy adding food coloring to white wine
• DBy fermenting white grapes with added sugar

Which of the following is a red grape variety?

• AChardonnay
• BSauvignon Blanc
• CPinot Grigio
• DMerlot

Which of the following is a white grape variety?

• ACabernet Sauvignon
• BSyrah
• CRiesling
• DPinot Noir

What flavors are typically associated with Sauvignon Blanc?

• AButter, vanilla, and toast
• BBlackcurrant, cedar, and tobacco
• CPassion fruit, gooseberry, and herbaceous notes
• DCherry, plum, and chocolate

Cabernet Sauvignon wines are typically described as having which characteristic?

• ALight body with low tannin
• BFull body with high tannin
• CSweet with no tannin
• DSparkling with light color

What is Pinot Noir best known for producing?

• AFull-bodied, tannic red wines
• BLight to medium-bodied, elegant red wines
• CSweet dessert wines only
• DHighly aromatic white wines

What is the ideal serving temperature for a full-bodied red wine?

• A6-10°C (43-50°F)
• B7-10°C (45-50°F)
• C15-18°C (59-64°F)
• D25-30°C (77-86°F)

At what temperature should sparkling wines be served?

• A6-10°C (43-50°F)
• B15-18°C (59-64°F)
• C20-25°C (68-77°F)
• DRoom temperature (about 22°C / 72°F)

What is the recommended storage temperature for wine?

• A0-5°C (32-41°F)
• B10-15°C (50-59°F)
• C20-25°C (68-77°F)
• D30-35°C (86-95°F)

Why should wine bottles be stored on their side?

• ATo make the labels easier to read
• BTo keep the cork moist and maintain the seal
• CTo speed up the aging process
• DTo prevent the wine from becoming sparkling

Which of the following best describes sweetness in wine?

• AThe amount of fruitiness in the wine
• BThe level of residual sugar remaining after fermentation
• CThe amount of oak flavor in the wine
• DThe intensity of the wine's color

What does the term 'dry' mean when describing wine?

• AThe wine has been aged for a long time
• BThe wine has very little or no residual sugar
• CThe wine has a very light color
• DThe wine was made without using water

What is tannin in wine?

• AA type of sugar found in grapes
• BA compound that creates a drying, astringent sensation in the mouth
• CA bacteria used in winemaking
• DA measurement of alcohol content

Which of the following wines typically has the HIGHEST tannin levels?

• APinot Grigio
• BRiesling
• CCabernet Sauvignon
• DMoscato

What is the main grape variety used in red Burgundy?

• ACabernet Sauvignon
• BMerlot
• CPinot Noir
• DSyrah

Which country is the largest producer of wine in the world?

• AUnited States
• BAustralia
• CItaly
• DChile

Chardonnay is most famously associated with which French wine region?

• ABordeaux
• BBurgundy
• CRhône Valley
• DAlsace

Marlborough, New Zealand is best known for which grape variety?

• AChardonnay
• BPinot Noir
• CSauvignon Blanc
• DCabernet Sauvignon

Which wine region in the United States is the most significant in terms of production volume?

• AOregon
• BWashington State
• CCalifornia
• DNew York

What is Shiraz?

• AA white grape variety from Germany
• BThe Australian name for the Syrah grape variety
• CA type of sparkling wine from Spain
• DA dessert wine from Portugal

What sensation does acidity create in wine?

• AA warming feeling in the throat
• BA mouth-watering, fresh sensation
• CA drying, astringent feeling on the gums
• DA sweet, syrupy texture

Which of the following is NOT a factor that affects the style of wine produced?

• AClimate of the wine region
• BGrape variety used
• CThe color of the wine bottle
• DWinemaking techniques employed

What type of wine is Champagne?

• AA still red wine from Bordeaux
• BA sparkling wine from the Champagne region of France
• CA dessert wine from Germany
• DA rosé wine from Provence

What food would be the BEST pairing for a high-acid white wine like Sauvignon Blanc?

• ARich chocolate cake
• BGrilled lamb chops with rosemary
• CFresh goat cheese salad with citrus dressing
• DBeef stew with heavy gravy

What is the primary principle of food and wine pairing?

• AAlways serve red wine with fish
• BMatch the weight and intensity of the food with the weight and intensity of the wine
• CSweet wines should only be served with savory foods
• DAll wines pair equally well with all foods

What grape variety is Chablis made from?

• ASauvignon Blanc
• BRiesling
• CChardonnay
• DPinot Grigio

What effect does oak aging have on wine?

• AIt always makes the wine sweeter
• BIt adds flavors such as vanilla, toast, and spice
• CIt removes all tannin from the wine
• DIt makes the wine turn completely clear

Which of the following is a fortified wine?

• AChampagne
• BChablis
• CPort
• DProsecco

What does 'body' refer to in wine tasting?

• AThe shape of the wine bottle
• BThe weight and fullness of the wine on the palate
• CThe number of grape varieties in the blend
• DThe age of the wine

Which grape variety is commonly used to make Chianti?

• ANebbiolo
• BSangiovese
• CTempranillo
• DMalbec

Rioja is a famous wine region in which country?

• APortugal
• BItaly
• CFrance
• DSpain

What is the effect of cool climate on the style of wine produced?

• AHigher alcohol and riper fruit flavors
• BHigher acidity and more delicate fruit flavors
• CMore tannin and deeper color
• DSweeter wines with less acidity

What is the main grape variety used in white Burgundy?

• ASauvignon Blanc
• BRiesling
• CChardonnay
• DChenin Blanc

What does the term 'vintage' on a wine label indicate?

• AThe wine is expensive
• BThe year the grapes were harvested
• CThe wine has been aged in oak barrels
• DThe wine is a blend of different grape varieties

Which of the following is a principal white grape variety covered in the WSET Level 1 syllabus?

• AMalbec
• BTempranillo
• CPinot Grigio
• DNebbiolo

What happens when wine is exposed to too much oxygen?

• AIt becomes sparkling
• BIt gains a fresh, fruity character
• CIt becomes oxidized, losing freshness and developing stale flavors
• DIt develops higher tannin levels

Which of the following best describes Merlot?

• AA white grape producing crisp, aromatic wines
• BA red grape producing medium to full-bodied wines with soft tannins and plum flavors
• CA grape used exclusively for sparkling wine production
• DA red grape producing very light, pale-colored wines with no tannin

What is the correct way to hold a wine glass when tasting?

• ABy cupping the bowl with your palm
• BBy the stem or base of the glass
• CBy wrapping both hands around the bowl
• DAny grip is acceptable as long as the wine does not spill

What can you learn from the color of a wine?

• AThe exact price of the wine
• BClues about the grape variety, age, and body of the wine
• CThe alcohol content of the wine
• DThe specific vineyard where the grapes were grown

What is the typical alcohol content range for most table wines?

• A1-5% ABV
• B5.5-15.5% ABV
• C20-25% ABV
• D30-40% ABV

Which of the following grapes is known for producing highly aromatic wines with floral notes?

• ACabernet Sauvignon
• BChardonnay
• CRiesling
• DMerlot