D4 sparkling wines - Study guides, Class notes & Summaries

In 2024 I wrote this summary for the D4 book (Sparkling Wines) to the WSET level 4 Diploma Course. I included a lot of tasting notes. I hope you will enjoy the benefits and wish you good luck with your exams to the level 4 Diploma.

WSET L4 - D4 Sparkling Wines questions and correct answers graded A+

WSET D4 Sparkling Wines Exam 2024/2025 Questions and Answers with complete solution WSET D4 Sparkling Wines Exam 2024/2025 Questions and Answers with complete solution

WSET L4 - D4 Sparkling Wines Questions With 100% Correct Answers!!

WSET L4 - D4 SPARKLING WINES QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2024

WSET L4 - D4 Sparkling Wines Questions With 100% Correct Answers!!

Important considerations for sparkling wine grapes - Intensity of aromas (aromatic or neutral grape, latter better for autolytic) Ability to retain acidity while ripening How the base wine responds to autolysis (Chardonnay becomes creamy, Xarello becomes toasty and smoky) Chardonnay - Early budding and ripening => good for cold climate but vulnerable to frost Coulure & millerandage Susceptible to Powdery Mildew and botrytis bunch rot, grapevine yellows Yields can be high without ...

Traditional Method - Sparkling wine created via a second fermentation in the bottle in which the wine is also sold AKA champagne method, classic method, Harvest (for Sparkling wines) - Typically by hand to minimize phenolic extraction and oxidation Lower must weights than still wine Whole Bunch Pressing - Gentle extraction with minimal phenolics Particularly important for red grapes Often limited by law First Fermentation - Rapid and warm Stainless steel most common but oak foun...

1. relatively low sugar (10-11%abv) 2. High acidity 3. Ripe Flavors - 3 requirements needed for sparkling wine. Cool climates slow the increase in sugars and decrease in acidity, giving plenty of time for flavors to become ripe. - Why do premium sparkling wines often need to come from a cool climate? 1. In warm climates the acidity falls and sugars rise too fast before flavors ripen. 2. Picking earlier allows for grapes with the correct sugar and acidity levels, however can have overl...

Why is a cool climate is preferable for the growing of grapes for traditional method sparkling wines? - Just ripe fruit characteristics (apple, lemon) - more delicate so that autolytic flavors are not overwhelmed Acidity is retained -Required for balance in final wine - Required for aging of wine Slow accumulation of sugars -low alcohol levels of 9-11% in wine required to allow increase in alcohol produced in second fermentation (1-2%) ABV of the base wine after the first fermentation...