Wset Level 2

Front 1

What are 5 common steps in spirits production?

Back 1

1.) Selecting the raw materials.

2.) Processing the raw materials.

3.) Alcoholic fermentation.

4.) Distillation.

5.) Post distillation operations.

Front 2

What are the three types of carbohydrates found in raw materials?

Back 2

1.) sugar

2.) starch

3.) insulin

Front 3

What carbohydrates need to be converted before fermented?

Back 3

Starch and insulin.

Front 4

What are examples of raw materials in sugar?

Back 4

Grapes and sugarcane.

Front 5

If a cru appears on a label, how much of the spirit must come from the grapes grown in that cru?

Back 5

100%

Front 6

What does the labeling Fine Champagne mean?

Back 6

A blend from Grande and Petite Champagne.

Front 7

What does VS mean and how long is it aged?

Back 7

Very Special- 2 years.

Front 8

What does VSOP mean and how long is it aged?

Back 8

Very Special Old Pale- 4 years.

Front 9

What does XO mean and how long is it aged?

Back 9

Extra Old- 6 years.

Front 10

Name the four major grape varieties in cognac and describe.

Back 10

1.) Ugni Blanc- grapey and foral.

2.) Baco- earthy and prunes.

3.) Colombard- spicy and peppery.

4.) Folle Blanche- Floral.

Front 11

What is the name and type of still that is most widely used in Armagnac?

Back 11

Alambic Armagnacais.

Front 12

What strength is the new make spirit typically collected at?

Back 12

Typically less than 60% abv.

Front 13

What impact does this distillation strength have on the flavor intensity of Armagnac compared with Cognac?

Back 13

Armagnac is typically more intensely flavored than cognac.

Front 14

What is the name of unaged Armagnac?

Back 14

Blanche.

Front 15

What type of aged Armagnac is a speciality of this region but very rare in Cognac?

Back 15

Vintage.

Front 16

The Cognac region is located north of what?

Back 16

Bordeaux.

Front 17

The vineyards in the Cognac region are divided into six smaller areas known as what?

Back 17

Crus.

Front 18

What three locations in the Cognac region are generally considered to produce the best grapes?

Back 18

Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne and Borderies.

Front 19

Six different grape varieties are permitted in Cognac. Which one dominates planting?

Back 19

Ugni Blanc.

Front 20

What flavors does Ugni Blanc give to Cognac?

Back 20

Grapey floral flavors.

Front 21

To extract the sugary juice from grapes they are crushed and pressed but why should grapes not be pressed too hard?

Back 21

This can extract undesirable flavors.

Front 22

What are lees?

Back 22

The fine sediment left in wine after fermentation.

Front 23

It is a legal requirement that distillation must be finished by 31 March following the grape harvest. Why is this so important?

Back 23

The wine is still vulnerable to spoilage so it must be distilled as quickly as possible.

Front 24

What type of distillation must be used to make cognac?

Back 24

Charentais pot still.

Front 25

What is the maximum strength of a new make spirit in Cognac?

Back 25

72.4% abv.

Front 26

What percentage of corn must be included in the mashbill to make bourbon?

Back 26

51%

Front 27

What other grains are commonly used in making bourbon?

Back 27

Rye, wheat and malted barley.

Front 28

What is a backset?

Back 28

The acidic liquid residue left at the bottom of the beer still.

Front 29

At what two points in the process do distillers add backset?

Back 29

In the cooker or fermenter.

Front 30

True or false- Bourbon can be made anywhere in the USA?

Back 30

True.

Front 31

True or false- Tennessee whiskey has to be made in Tennessee?

Back 31

True.

Front 32

Bourbon distillers consider fermentation to be very important for creating the signature flavor of the whiskies. What do they use to ensure consistency from one batch to the next?

Back 32

They use their own cultured yeast.

Front 33

What is the maximum strength a bourbon can be distilled to?

Back 33

160 proof (80% abv)

Front 34

What type of stills do nearly all distillers use to make the low wines?

Back 34

Column stills.

Front 35

What are the two types of still called that are typically used for the second distillation?

Back 35

Doubler and thumper.

Front 36

What kind of barrels are bourbon and Tennessee whiskies aged in?

Back 36

Charred oak barrels.

Front 37

Do bourbon producers have to use new barrels?

Back 37

Yes.

Front 38

Why are bourbons typically aged for a shorter period of time than Scotch whiskey?

Back 38

Teheran use of the new oak barrels and the hot climate mean the woof character is added more quickly.

Front 39

How long must a bourbon be aged for before it can be labelled straight whiskey?

Back 39

2 years.

Front 40

Tennessee whiskey is a straight bourbon made in the state of Tennessee. However, producers use a unique process on the new make spirit before it is put into a barrel. What is this process called?

Back 40

Lincoln County Process- a form of charcoal filtration used in Tennessee that removes harsh Process qualities from the spirit before it is aged.