WSET Level 2 Award in Wines

What is the primary environmental factor that determines whether a vineyard is classified as having a cool, moderate, or warm climate?

• ARainfall levels
• BAverage temperature during the growing season
• CAltitude above sea level
• DSoil mineral content

What is the effect of proximity to a large body of water on a vineyard's climate?

• AIt makes the climate more extreme with hotter summers and colder winters
• BIt has a moderating effect, reducing temperature extremes between seasons
• CIt always increases rainfall to harmful levels
• DIt has no measurable effect on vineyard climate

How does altitude affect grape growing?

• AHigher altitude always produces sweeter grapes
• BHigher altitude results in cooler temperatures, which slows ripening and preserves acidity
• CHigher altitude makes grapes ripen faster
• DAltitude has no impact on grape quality

What is the role of tannin in the structure of red wine?

• AIt provides sweetness
• BIt provides a drying, astringent sensation and contributes to the wine's aging potential
• CIt is responsible for the wine's color only
• DIt gives the wine its effervescence

What is malolactic conversion (MLF)?

• AThe process of adding sugar to grape must before fermentation
• BThe conversion of tart malic acid into softer lactic acid, often producing buttery flavors
• CThe addition of oak chips to wine during fermentation
• DThe process of removing tannin from red wine

What is the effect of lees aging on wine?

• AIt always makes the wine sweeter
• BIt adds texture, complexity, and bready/yeasty flavors
• CIt removes all acidity from the wine
• DIt increases tannin levels significantly

In the WSET Level 2 Systematic Approach to Tasting, what is the correct order of assessment?

• ANose, Palate, Appearance, Conclusion
• BAppearance, Nose, Palate, Conclusion
• CPalate, Appearance, Nose, Conclusion
• DConclusion, Appearance, Palate, Nose

Which of the following is a characteristic flavor of Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, New Zealand?

• AButter, vanilla, and toast
• BBlackcurrant, cedar, and tobacco
• CPassion fruit, gooseberry, and cut grass
• DCherry, plum, and spice

How does the style of Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley differ from Marlborough, New Zealand?

• ALoire Sauvignon Blanc is always sweet, while Marlborough is always dry
• BLoire Sauvignon Blanc tends to be more restrained and mineral, while Marlborough is more…
• CThere is no difference — they taste identical
• DLoire Sauvignon Blanc is always oaked, while Marlborough is never oaked

Which of the following describes the typical character of unoaked Chardonnay from a cool climate?

• AFull body, tropical fruit, butter, and vanilla
• BMedium body, green apple, citrus, and high acidity
• CSweet, low acidity, and thick texture
• DRed fruit, low tannin, and floral aromas

What winemaking process gives some Chardonnays a buttery character?

• ACarbonic maceration
• BMalolactic conversion
• CFortification
• DCold stabilization

Which German wine classification term indicates a wine made from ripe grapes, typically off-dry to medium-sweet?

• ATrocken
• BSpätlese
• CKabinett
• DSekt

What is the key difference between Riesling from the Mosel and Riesling from Alsace?

• AMosel Riesling is always red, Alsace Riesling is always white
• BMosel Riesling tends to be lighter-bodied with lower alcohol and often off-dry, while Als…
• CThere is no difference between the two regions
• DAlsace Riesling is always sparkling

Pinot Grigio from northern Italy is typically characterized by which style?

• AFull-bodied, oaked, with tropical fruit flavors
• BLight-bodied, dry, with subtle flavors of lemon and green apple
• CSweet, with intense rose petal and lychee aromas
• DDeep red in color with high tannin

How does Pinot Gris from Alsace differ from Pinot Grigio from Italy?

• AThey are the same grape and always taste identical
• BAlsace Pinot Gris is typically fuller-bodied, richer, with more pronounced stone fruit fl…
• CItalian Pinot Grigio is always sweeter than Alsace Pinot Gris
• DAlsace Pinot Gris is always sparkling

Which grape variety is described as having high tannin, full body, and flavors of blackcurrant, cedar, and dark fruit?

• APinot Noir
• BGamay
• CCabernet Sauvignon
• DGrenache