CSW CSW Wine Storage & Cellar Management 2

Question 1

What does the term 'drinking window' mean for a wine?

Accepted Answer

The optimal time period during which a wine is at its best to drink

Answer

A wine's drinking window indicates when it has evolved sufficiently to reach peak complexity but has not yet begun to decline.

Question 2

Why should wines be kept away from strong light sources during storage?

Accepted Answer

UV light triggers premature oxidation and 'light strike,' causing off-aromas

Answer

UV radiation reacts with sulfur compounds in wine, producing unpleasant aromas—a fault known as 'light strike' or goût de lumière.

Question 3

What is a 'vertical' collection in wine cellar terminology?

Accepted Answer

Multiple consecutive vintages of the same wine from the same producer

Answer

A vertical collection allows collectors to compare how a single wine evolves across different harvest years.

Question 4

Which closure type makes horizontal storage most critical to prevent premature oxidation?

Accepted Answer

Natural cork

Answer

Natural cork must remain moist to maintain its seal; horizontal storage keeps wine in contact with the cork to prevent drying and shrinkage.

Question 5

What is the primary risk of storing wine long-term in a household refrigerator?

Accepted Answer

Low humidity dries out corks and food odors can penetrate and taint the wine

Answer

Household refrigerators maintain very low humidity and are full of odor-producing foods that can seep through corks into the wine.

(CSW) Certified Wine Specialist Practice Test