WSET Level 2 Practice Question · Episode 33
Show Answer & Explanation (try the quiz first)
Practice Question
In the Rioja DOCa of Spain, which of the following best describes the characteristics of a 'Gran Reserva' Tempranillo wine?
- A. No oak ageing, emphasizing only fresh primary fruit aromas.
- B. Legally required extensive oak and bottle ageing, featuring a harmony of strawberry, leather, and vanilla flavours.
- C. Produced only as a white wine with high sugar and low tannins in a warm climate.
- D. High sugar, low alcohol, and always produced using carbonic maceration.
Answer & Explanation
Answer: B. Legally required extensive oak and bottle ageing, featuring a harmony of strawberry, leather, and vanilla flavours. Explanation: Tempranillo is the noble grape of Spain. Within the Rioja quality hierarchy, Gran Reserva wines undergo the longest ageing period. During this time, the fresh primary aromas of Strawberry and Red Cherry evolve into complex tertiary notes of Leather and Tobacco, perfectly integrated with Vanilla and Clove from extensive oak maturation.
Expert Exam Tip
[Trap]: Do not think Tempranillo is always light. It has a Medium Tannin and Medium Acidity framework that allows it to hold significant weight and age-induced complexity. [Tip]: On the L2 exam, if descriptors like 'Strawberry', 'Leather', or the country 'Spain' appear, link them to 'Tempranillo'.