WSET Level 2 Practice Question · Episode 69

L2 • Ep 69

WSET L2 Quiz

When a wine exhibits unpleasant aromas of 'Wet cardboard' or 'Musty' basement and has a complete lack of fruitiness, which common wine fault is most likely present?

AOxidation

BTCA / Cork Taint

CReduction

DStores the wine upright on a warm, sunny windowsill.

Eclavin | Wine Study

@eclavin_official

When a wine exhibits unpleasant aromas of 'Wet cardboard' or 'Musty' basement and has a complete lack of fruitiness, which common wine fault is most likely present?

Show Answer & Explanation (try the quiz first)

Practice Question

When a wine exhibits unpleasant aromas of 'Wet cardboard' or 'Musty' basement and has a complete lack of fruitiness, which common wine fault is most likely present?

A. Oxidation
B. TCA / Cork Taint
C. Reduction
D. Stores the wine upright on a warm, sunny windowsill.

Answer & Explanation

Answer: B. TCA / Cork Taint Explanation: Wine Faults are the silent killers that destroy the natural beauty of a wine. A wine contaminated with TCA (2,4,6-Trichloroanisole) emits an unpleasant 'musty' or 'wet cardboard' smell derived from the cork and completely strips away fresh fruit aromas (this is called 'Cork Taint'). Oxidation occurs when excessive contact with air causes the wine to turn brown and lose its freshness. Reduction happens in low-oxygen environments, resulting in odors like rotten eggs or struck matches.

Expert Exam Tip

[Trap]: Do not assume that musty odors in expensive wines are 'normal' complex aging characters. A wet cardboard or musty smell is a clear 'fault', not an aging aroma. [Tip]: In the exam, link 'Musty/Wet cardboard' with TCA, and 'Brown color/Sherry-like' with Oxidation.