WSET Level II Flashcards
Learn
systematic steps of tasting wine according to WSET Level 2
1) appearance
2) nose
3) palate
4) conclusion
main reason for looking at appearance of wine?
warn us of faults
How to assess intensity of appearance and two possible adjectives
Look at 45 degree angle and see where the color stops, if close to rim then deep if close to core then pale
define out–of–condition wine and appearance aspects
out of condition = too old, poorly stored and/or seal has failed
appearance = dull and hints of brown (although brown does not always mean faulty). also haziness (if not on purpose)
which healthy wines are most susceptible to having brown hints in appearance?
ones that have been aged a long time in oak
what do you call red wine that has some orange/brown but is more red than orange brown
garnet
what do you call wine that is more brown than red
tawny
which color in red wine is indicative of youth?
purple or ruby””
which 3 colors in red wine are indicative of age? + what are these wines called?
orange (or garnet”), amber and brown
which color in white wine is indicative of youth?
lemon (yellow with a hint of GREEN)
which color in white wine is indicative of age?
gold (yellow with a hint of ORANGE)
which wines have more acidity – white or red
white
what does acidity do to mouth
watering
what does acidity do to taste of wine
make it taste more vibrant and refreshing
two varietals particularly high in acidity
riesling and sauvignon blanc
what climate leads to high acidity
cool
what type of wines necessitate greater acidity
sweet wines. otherwise will taste too sweet and cloying
Sensation/taste of tannins
bitter and astringent
where do tannins come from
grape skin
two thick skinned varietals with high tannins
cab sauvignon and syrah
two thin skinned varietals with low tannins
pinot noir and grenache
what will hot climate do to tannin characteristic of wine
high level of soft ripe tannins
unripe grapes impact on wine
astringent mouth–drying tannins
where on tounge is bitter flavor of tannins felt
back of tounge