WSET 1 - Wine Storage and Service

Question 1

Which two conditions are recommended for long-term storage of wines?

Answer 1

• Cool and constant temperature (as extremes and significant changes in temperature can damage wine)
• Away from strong sunshine and bright artificial light (as light can cause a wine to taste stale)

Question 2

How should a wine be stored if it is sealed with a cork?

Answer 2

On its side, to ensure that the cork remains in contact with the wine and stays moist. If the cork dries out it can let air into the wine.

Question 3

How could a wine be stored if it is sealed with a screwcap?

Answer 3

On its side or standing up.

Question 4

Which style(s) of wine are recommended to be served well chilled?

Answer 4

Sweet wines and sparkling wines.

Question 5

Which style(s) of wine are recommended to be served chilled?

Answer 5

Light and medium-bodied white and rose wines.

Question 6

Which style(s) of wine are recommended to be served lightly chilled?

Answer 6

Full-bodied white wine and light-bodied red wine.

Question 7

Which style(s) of wine are recommended to be served at room temperature?

Answer 7

Medium and full-bodied red wine.

Question 8

What are the differences between glasses used to serve white, red and sparkling wine?

Answer 8

Usually, red wine glasses are slightly larger than white wine glasses and sparkling wines are served in flutes.

Question 9

What are the three steps of opening a bottle of still wine that is sealed with a cork?

Answer 9

1. Remove the top of the capsule with a capsule remover or a corkscrew, then clean the neck of the bottle with a cloth.
2. Centre the corkscrew in the middle of the cork. Screw it into the cork and draw the cork out gently.
3. Once the cork is removed, wipe around the inside and outside of the neck with a clean cloth.

Question 10

What are the three steps of opening a bottle of sparkling wine that is sealed with a wire cage?

Answer 10

1. Remove the foil and loosen the wire cage. As soon as the wore cage has been loosened, you must keep the cork covered with your hand until it is safely out of the bottle.
2. Hold the bottle at an angle, the cork in one hand and the base the the bottle in the other. Holding the cork, turn the bottle.
3. Hold the cork firmly so that the pressure in the bottle does not force the cork out too quickly. The pressure can be released with a quiet ‘phut’ without any loss of wine.

Question 11

What are the three quality checks to perform when serving a wine?

Answer 11

• Check the appearance: haziness could indicate that the wine is faulty.
• Check that there are no floating bits.
• Check the aroma: the wine should not smell stale or have aromas of wet cardboard of vinegar.

Question 12

What are the two types of systems that can be used to extend the life of a wine?

Answer 12

Vacuum systems (sucks out the air) and blanket systems (injects has which forces out the air).

Question 13

How do vacuum systems keep wines protected from the air?

Answer 13

These systems rely on a pump to remove air from inside the bottle.

Question 14

How do blanket systems keep wines protected from the air?

Answer 14

These systems pump a gas into the bottle, which pushes the air out of the bottle. The gas will not harm the wine.