CSW Wine Tasting & Evaluation 4

Question 1

What is 'volatile acidity' (VA) in wine, and which compound is most commonly responsible?

Accepted Answer

An off-aroma flaw caused primarily by acetic acid (vinegar)

Answer

Volatile acidity refers to gaseous acids in wine, with acetic acid (vinegar) being the primary compound; high levels are considered a fault.

Question 2

A wine displays a 'brick-red' rim color. What does this most likely indicate?

Accepted Answer

The wine has undergone significant bottle aging

Answer

Brick-red hues at the rim indicate that pigments have degraded over time, a classic sign of significant bottle age in red wines.

Question 3

Which of the following BEST defines 'balance' in a wine tasting context?

Accepted Answer

When the key structural elements—acidity, tannin, alcohol, and fruit—are in harmony

Answer

Balance means that no single structural component dominates; instead, acidity, tannin, alcohol, and fruit interact harmoniously on the palate.

Question 4

What does 'typicity' refer to when evaluating a wine?

Accepted Answer

How well a wine expresses the characteristics expected of its grape variety and region

Answer

Typicity measures how faithfully a wine represents the expected style, aromas, and flavors of its grape variety, region, or appellation.

Question 5

When a taster describes a wine as having 'green' or 'herbaceous' notes in a negative context, what is often the underlying cause?

Accepted Answer

Grapes harvested before full phenolic ripeness

Answer

Under-ripe grapes contain higher levels of methoxypyrazines, producing green bell pepper, grass, or herbaceous characters that are considered flaws in many styles.

(CSW) Certified Wine Specialist Practice Test

(CSW) Certified Wine Specialist Practice Test

CSW Wine Tasting & Evaluation 4