Melbourne Wine School · Free Quiz
Test Your Wine Knowledge
New to wine? This is the perfect place to start. Our free Level 1 quiz covers the essentials: the main grape varieties, popular styles, and how to store and serve wine. You’ll get instant feedback and a short explanation after every question, so you learn as you go. No sign-up, no cost. Ready to see how much you already know?
50 questions·30 per attempt·Instant feedback·Free, no sign-up
Level 1 Wine Practice Exam
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Level 1 Wine Practice Exam
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Which part of the grape contains tannin and colour?
The skin contains colour and tannin; the pulp contains water, sugar and acid.
Which part of the grape contains most of the water, sugar and acid?
The pulp holds the water, sugar and acid; the skin provides colour and tannin.
What are the two products of alcoholic fermentation?
Yeast converts sugar into alcohol and carbon dioxide.
What two things does yeast need to carry out fermentation?
Fermentation needs sugar and yeast; the yeast converts the sugar into alcohol and carbon dioxide.
Where does the colour in red wine come from?
Red wine gets its colour from contact between the juice and the black grape skins.
White wine is made from:
White wine is usually made from white grapes, but can be made from black grapes if the skins are removed.
How is most rosé wine made?
Rosé is typically made by a short contact between juice and black grape skins to extract a little colour.
A cool climate tends to produce grapes with:
Cooler climates ripen grapes less, giving lower sugar and higher acidity.
A warm climate tends to produce grapes that are:
Warmer climates ripen grapes more, giving higher sugar and generally lower acidity.
Which of these is a key stage in making wine?
Fermentation is a key winemaking stage.
Which one of the following grape varieties produces red wine?
Cabernet Sauvignon is a black grape producing red wine; the others are white grapes.
Sauvignon Blanc typically produces wines with:
Sauvignon Blanc is typically high in acidity with green fruit and grassy, herbaceous notes.
New Zealand, especially Marlborough, is famous for which grape variety?
Marlborough in New Zealand is renowned for intensely aromatic, moderate-climate Sauvignon Blanc.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is a classic example of a wine from which type of climate?
Marlborough's moderate climate gives Sauvignon Blanc its high acidity and pronounced green aromatics.
Which white grape can be unoaked and crisp, or oaked with vanilla notes?
Chardonnay ranges from crisp and unoaked to fuller styles showing vanilla and spice from oak.
Pinot Grigio is typically which style?
Pinot Grigio is generally a light-bodied, crisp, dry white wine.
Riesling produces wines ranging from:
Riesling makes a range of styles from dry to sweet, usually with high acidity.
Cabernet Sauvignon typically produces wines that are:
Cabernet Sauvignon makes medium to full-bodied reds with high tannin and blackcurrant flavours.
Which black grape produces light-bodied reds with red fruit and lower tannin?
Pinot Noir produces lighter-bodied reds with red-fruit flavours and lower tannin.
Merlot typically produces wines that are:
Merlot makes medium- to full-bodied reds with softer tannins and plummy black fruit.
Syrah (Shiraz) typically produces:
Syrah/Shiraz makes full-bodied reds with black fruit and peppery, spicy notes.
Syrah and Shiraz are:
Syrah and Shiraz are the same grape; 'Shiraz' is widely used in Australia.
Which characteristic gives red wine a drying, grippy sensation?
Tannin gives a drying, grippy sensation, most noticeable on the gums.
Which characteristic makes a wine taste fresh and makes the mouth water?
Acidity makes wine taste fresh and crisp and causes the mouth to water.
Chablis is best described as:
Chablis is a dry white wine made from Chardonnay.
Chablis and white Burgundy are made from which grape?
Chablis and white Burgundy are made from Chardonnay.
Sancerre is a dry white wine made from which grape?
Sancerre is made from Sauvignon Blanc.
Champagne is which type of wine?
Champagne is a sparkling wine from France.
Which of the following is a sparkling wine?
Prosecco is a sparkling wine from Italy; the others are still wines.
'Brut' on a sparkling wine label indicates the wine is:
Brut indicates a dry sparkling wine.
Cava is a sparkling wine from which country?
Cava is a sparkling wine produced in Spain.
Sauternes is best described as:
Sauternes is a sweet white wine from Bordeaux, France.
Chianti is a red wine from Italy made mainly from which grape?
Chianti is made mainly from Sangiovese.
Rioja is a red wine from Spain made mainly from which grape?
Rioja's red wines use Tempranillo.
Beaujolais is made from which grape?
Beaujolais is made from Gamay, typically in a light fruity style.
Which of the following is a fortified wine?
Port is a fortified wine.
Sherry is which type of wine?
Sherry is a fortified wine from Spain.
Port is produced in which country?
Port is a fortified wine from Portugal.
White Zinfandel is an example of which style?
White Zinfandel is a medium sweet rosé wine.
Vanilla, toast and spice flavours usually come from:
These flavours typically come from oak.
What are the ideal conditions for storing wine?
Wine should be stored a cool and dark place, with corked bottles lying down to keep the cork moist.
Red wines are best stored in direct sunlight.
False. Wine should be kept out of direct sunlight, in cool, dark conditions.
Which method can preserve an opened bottle of wine?
A vacuum system removes air; a blanket (inert gas) system is also used to preserve opened wine.
Sparkling and sweet wines are best served:
Sparkling and sweet wines are best served well chilled.
Full-bodied red wines are best served at:
Medium- and full-bodied reds are best served at room temperature.
A light-bodied red wine is best served:
Light-bodied reds are best served lightly chilled.
Why check the appearance and nose of a wine before serving?
Checking appearance and nose helps confirm the wine is sound before serving.
Umami makes wines seem more sweet and fruity.
False. Umami tends to make wines seem harder, more bitter and astringent.
A high-tannin red wine is generally a good match with:
Protein and fat in red meat soften the perception of tannin, making it a good match.
Which food component can make a dry wine taste bitter and sour?
A sweet dish can make a dry wine taste more bitter and more acidic, so wine should be at least as sweet as the food.
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WSET Approved Programme Provider·Director: WSET Diploma holder, MW candidate·Richmond, Melbourne
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