WSET Level 1 Exam Questions
with Correct Answers
What characteristics are to be expected with Sauv. Blanc? - Answer- Medium-bodied,
high acidity, intense fruity & vegetal flavours. Occasionally oaked.
Lighter variations of Sauv. Blanc pair well with what type of food? - Answer- Chicken
salad, vegetable quiche, poached white fish
Fuller variations of Sauv. Blanc pair well with what type of food? - Answer- Thai &
Japanese food as well as italian dishes including tomatoes and seafood.
Where does Riesling originate? - Answer- Germany
What characteristics are expected from riesling? - Answer- light bodied, high acidity,
can be either dry or intensely sweet, tend to have floral, or fruity notes. Develops
honey/toasty aromas with age.
An off-dry or dry riesling should be paired with what food? - Answer- fish, sushi, roast
veg.
A medium dry riesling should be paired with what food? - Answer- Spicy Thai, sweet
and sour chinese, or meat with sweet sauces.
A sweet or dessert riesling should be paired with what food? - Answer- pies, tarts,
dessert etc..
Pinot noir originates from where? - Answer- Burgundy, FR.
If a Pinot noir is grown in a cool climate it can be expected to have what characteristics?
- Answer- light bodied, low tannin, vegetal & red fruit aroma, usually oaked.
If a Pinot noir is grown in a warm climate it can be expected to have what
characteristics? - Answer- medium bodied, low tannin, red fruit aromas, usually oaked.
A light bodied Pinot Noir would likely pair well with what food? - Answer- Meaty fish
(tuna, red mullet, salmon), cold meats, roast chicken
A full bodied pinot noir would likely pair well with what food? - Answer- Roast bird,
rabbit, duck or meal casseroles
Cabernet Sauvignon originates from - Answer- Bordeaux, FR.
, What characteristics are associated with Cabernet Sauvignon? - Answer- medium to full
bodied, high tannin, black fruit, vegetal, usually oaked.
What food pairs well with Cabernet Sauvignon? - Answer- Red meat (steak, beef,
lamb),and hard cheese
Where does Merlot originate? - Answer- Bordeaux, FR.
If a Merlot is grown in a cool climate, what characteristics can you expect? - Answer-
Medium bodied, moderate tannins, red fruit, vegetal, un-oaked or oaked.
What is Wine? - Answer- Fermentation of grape juice
Grape sugars + Yeast = ? - Answer- Alcohol, C02, Heat
What are the 3 main types of wine? - Answer- Light wine, sparkling wine, fortified wine
How are light wines named? - Answer- Name of region or name of grape
The bubbles in sparkling wine are a result of what? - Answer- Trapped C02
Name a sparkling wine from Italy - Answer- Asti, Prosecco
Name a sparkling wine from France - Answer- Champagne
Name a sparkling wine from Spain - Answer- Cava
Fortified wine have what added to them? - Answer- Extra Alcohol
When in the fermentation process for port is the spirit added? - Answer- BEFORE
fermentation has started
When in the fermentation process for sherry is the spirit added? - Answer- AFTER
fermentation is over
Historically, why was extra alcohol added to wine? - Answer- Extend shelf life
Where does tannin come from? - Answer- Grape skin
Where does a wines colour come from? - Answer- The skin
How does rose get its colour? - Answer- White grape juice and contact (brief) with red
grape skin
At what alcohol % will yeast begin to die? - Answer- 15% --> once all the sugar is used
