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
What is contained with grape skins that have an influence on wine style?
Tannins
Colour
Flavour
From which 2 parts of a grape is flavour to be found?
Skins
Pulp
Which word is used to represent the time when grapes change colour during ripening?
Veraison
Is the quality of wine defined by the method of harvesting?
No.
High quality wine can be made from both hand harvested and machine harvested grapes. For the machine harvested grapes the quality grapes can be selected at the winery.
When is hand harvesing essential?
On steep slopes
When whole bunches of grapes are required
When selection of noble rotted grapes is required.
What term is used in Europe to represent GI Geographical Indications?
PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) - for the more famous wines.
PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) - less strict regulations for larger regional wines, and often high volume inexpensive wines.
What do GIs and PDOs represent?
Place of origin
Often that only permitted grape varieties are used
Are Late Harvest wines always sweet?
No, they can be dry when the sugars are all fermented. This of course results in a high alcohol wine (up to 15%).
Does the labeling term Old Vines/Vieilles Vignes have a legal basis?
No.
It implies higher quality but not guaranteed.
Which country uses AOP/AOC instead of PDO?
France
Which country uses DOC/ DOCG instead of PDO?
Italy