WSET Quality Assurance & Compliance 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which EU regulation establishes the protected designation of origin (PDO) framework for wines?
- Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 (Correct answer)
- Regulation (EC) No 479/2008
- Directive 2001/112/EC
- Regulation (EU) No 251/2014
Correct answer: Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013
EU Regulation No 1308/2013 (the Single CMO Regulation) governs the PDO and PGI framework for wines within the European Union.
Question 2: In WSET quality assessment, what does the acronym 'BLIC' stand for when evaluating wine faults?
- Balance, Length, Intensity, Complexity
- Brettanomyces, Lactic, Infected, Corked
- Browning, Light-struck, Incorrect temperature, Contamination (Correct answer)
- Body, Length, Impression, Concentration
Correct answer: Browning, Light-struck, Incorrect temperature, Contamination
BLIC refers to common quality defects: Browning (oxidation), Light-struck (photodegradation), Incorrect temperature storage, and Contamination.
Question 3: A wine labeled 'Reserva' from Rioja DOCa must be aged for a minimum of how many months in oak?
- 6 months
- 12 months (Correct answer)
- 24 months
- 36 months
Correct answer: 12 months
Rioja Reserva wines must be aged for a minimum of 12 months in oak barrel as part of their mandatory aging requirements.
Question 4: Which analytical test is used to detect the presence of undeclared sweetening agents in wine?
- Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy (Correct answer)
- Simple Brix refractometry
- Titration with sodium hydroxide
- UV-Vis absorbance at 420nm
Correct answer: Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy
NMR spectroscopy can fingerprint sugar isotope ratios and detect added sucrose or other sweeteners not naturally present in grape-derived wine.
Question 5: Under TTB regulations in the United States, what minimum percentage of a grape variety must a wine contain to use that variety name on the label?
- 51%
- 75% (Correct answer)
- 85%
- 100%
Correct answer: 75%
TTB regulations require that a varietal wine contain at least 75% of the named grape variety, except when an AVA is also stated (85% required).
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of a 'control sample' retained by a winery during production?
- To sell as a future reserve wine
- To serve as a reference in the event of a quality dispute or recall (Correct answer)
- To test new packaging materials
- To share with the regional trade association
Correct answer: To serve as a reference in the event of a quality dispute or recall
Retained control samples provide a reference bottle matching the commercial batch, enabling comparison if a quality complaint or recall investigation arises.
Question 7: Which of the following is a key requirement under ISO 22000 food safety management as applied to wine production?
- Using only certified organic grapes
- Implementing hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) (Correct answer)
- Aging all wines a minimum of 12 months
- Employing at least one WSET Level 4 Diploma holder
Correct answer: Implementing hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP)
ISO 22000 incorporates HACCP principles, requiring wineries to identify, evaluate, and control food safety hazards throughout production.
WSET Quality Assurance & Compliance 2
Which EU regulation establishes the protected designation of origin (PDO) framework for wines?