WSET Level 2 Wines 2020 excluding GI/PDOs, profiles, sparkling and fortified Flashcards
WSET Level 2 Wines 2020 excluding GI/PDOs, profiles, sparkling and fortified
Colour of aged white wine (before brown)?
Amber.
Colour of aged red wine (before tawny)?
Garnet.
Effect of umami on wine (red especially)?
Drying and bitter, and more acidic.
Apart from warmth, carbon dioxide, and water, what are the 2 other requirements for ripening grapes?
Sunlight
Nutrients in soil
What word describes the creation of sugars from carbon dioxide (CO2) and water using light energy?
Photosynthesis
What happens to acidity levels as grapes ripen?
The acidity drops
becomes riper tasting as the acidity drops and sugar levels increase
What flavours are associated with wine made from extra ripe grapes?
Dried-fruit character (raisins for example).
Identify 3 methods for concentrating sugars for the creation of sweet wine.
- Extra ripening (eg, Late Harvest wine/ see Vendange Tardives in Alsace, and Spatlese of Germany)
- Botrytis/noble rot
- Frozen grapes
What are the ideal conditions for noble rot/botrytis and the avoidance of grey rot? Misty mornings and what sort of afternoon?
Warm and dry to limit growth of fungus which could destroy the grapes.
Which method for producing sweet wines results in pure varietal character?
Frozen grapes.
ie, no noble rot flavour, or dried-fruit flavour.
A moderate climate has what average growing season temperature?
16.5°C to 18.5°C
62°F-65°F
Which grape ripens successfully in warm climates only?
Grenache
Which grapes grows well in cool, moderate and warm climates? x2
Chardonnay
Chenin Blanc
Most vineyards are located between what latitudes?
30° and 50°
Not too cold and not too hot. In both hemispheres.
What happens to the temperature at higher altitudes?
It gets cooler.
Hence fresher styles can come from these areas.
Large bodies of water create extremes or moderate extremes?
Moderate.
Not as cold in the winter and not as hot in the summer (ocean and lakeside breezes).
Less likely to see a snowman on the beach.
Cloud, fog and mist has what effect on ripeness levels?
Slows down ripening as less sunlight for photosynthesis.
How can soil affect the ripeness of grapes?
Stony soils retain warmth and so continue to ripen grapes late in the day. This is useful in cooler climates.
Dilution through high levels of rain (or irrigation) can result in dilute, simple tasting wines. What factor can reduce this effect?
Soil.
Well drained stony soil holds less water.
What might be used to provide water in dry wine regions?
Irrigation.
What 2 weather hazards can destroy a vine’s grapes, or potential for grapes (buds)?
Hail.
Frost.
Sprays are used to combat what 3 challenges in the vineyard?
Pests such as insects.
Fungal diseases.
Weeds.
Note, Organic wines are made without the use of these chemicals.
Where in a grape is acidity to be found?
The pulp
Where in a grape is sugar to be found?
The pulp