Free WSET Wine Tasting Techniques Test 3

Question 1

Which one of the following statements is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

We should wear suits and perfume when attending a wine tasting.

Answer

When attending a wine tasting, it is essential to avoid wearing strong perfumes, colognes, or scented lotions. These fragrances can interfere with the delicate aromas of the wines being evaluated, affecting both your own perception and that of other tasters. The goal is to create a neutral sensory environment to accurately assess the wine's bouquet.

Question 2

Which one of the following appearance describes a young New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc?

Accepted Answer

Pale lemon

Answer

Young New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc wines are renowned for their vibrant freshness and typically exhibit a pale lemon color, sometimes with a greenish tint. This light hue reflects their youth, lack of oak aging, and crisp, unoaked style. Deeper colors like ruby or gold would indicate a red wine or an aged white wine, respectively.

Question 3

Which one of the following smells indicates the wine is faulty?

Accepted Answer

Damp cardboard

Answer

A smell resembling 'damp cardboard' or 'musty basement' is a classic indicator of cork taint, a common wine fault caused by the compound 2,4,6-trichloroanisole (TCA). This fault masks the wine's natural aromas and flavors, making it unpleasant and dull. Other options like petrol, lemon/lime, and toffee/caramel can be desirable aromas in certain wines.

Question 4

Which wine is this tasting note for: 'pronounced in intensity with aromas of blackberry, sweet spice and smoke'?

Accepted Answer

Shiraz from Barossa Valley, Australia

Answer

Barossa Valley Shiraz is famous for producing full-bodied, intensely flavored wines with concentrated dark fruit notes like blackberry, often complemented by sweet spice from oak aging and sometimes smoky or chocolatey characteristics. This description perfectly matches the typical profile of a premium Shiraz from this Australian region. The other options describe wines with very different aromatic and structural profiles.

Question 5

What does 'dry' mean in the term 'dry red wine'?

Accepted Answer

The wine contains almost no sugar.

Answer

In wine terminology, 'dry' refers to a wine that contains almost no residual sugar because the yeast has converted nearly all the grape sugars into alcohol during fermentation. This results in a wine that does not taste sweet on the palate. It has no relation to dehydration, the climate of the region, or dried grapes.

WSET - Wine and Spirit Education Test Practice Test

WSET - Wine and Spirit Education Test Practice Test

Free WSET Wine Tasting Techniques Test 3