WSET Tasting Technique & Food Pairing — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is the correct order of steps in the WSET Systematic Approach to Tasting?
- Appearance, aroma, conclusion, finish
- Nose, palate, aroma, structure
- Appearance, nose, palate, conclusion (Correct answer)
- Conclusion, nose, palate, clarity
Correct answer: Appearance, nose, palate, conclusion
The WSET Systematic Approach to Tasting follows the sequence: appearance, nose, palate, and conclusion.
Question 2: What is the effect of sweetness in food on the perception of wine?
- Enhances fruitiness in wine
- Reduces alcohol perception
- Makes wine taste smoother
- Increases bitterness and acidity in wine (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Increases bitterness and acidity in wine
Sweetness in food can increase the perception of bitterness, acidity, and alcohol burn in wine.
Question 3: Which of the following wine characteristics best complements high-fat foods?
- Low tannin
- High sweetness
- High acidity (Correct answer)
- Low alcohol
Correct answer: High acidity
High acidity in wine can cut through the richness of fatty foods, creating balance on the palate.
Question 4: Which of these structural elements is assessed when tasting wine on the palate?
- Oak level
- Acidity (Correct answer)
- Vintage
- Clarity
Correct answer: Acidity
Acidity, tannin, alcohol, and body are structural elements evaluated in the WSET tasting method.
Question 5: Which pairing principle helps match spicy foods with wine?
- High-tannin wines work best
- High alcohol enhances spice
- Low-alcohol, off-dry wines reduce spice impact (Correct answer)
- Sparkling wine intensifies heat
Correct answer: Low-alcohol, off-dry wines reduce spice impact
Wines with low alcohol and some sweetness tend to balance heat and spice more effectively than high-alcohol, tannic wines.
Question 6: What does 'length' refer to in wine tasting?
- How long wine has aged
- Time needed to chill wine
- Duration of flavor after swallowing (Correct answer)
- Bottle size
Correct answer: Duration of flavor after swallowing
Length refers to how long the primary flavors of the wine linger after swallowing, indicating the wine’s quality.
WSET Tasting Technique & Food Pairing
Which of the following is the correct order of steps in the WSET Systematic Approach to Tasting?