WSET Level 2 Practice Question · Episode 90
Show Answer & Explanation (try the quiz first)
Practice Question
When assessing the final quality of a wine according to the WSET Level 2 Systematic Approach to Tasting (SAT), what are the four key factors (BLIC) to consider?
- A. Price, Bottle design, Marketing, Year of production
- B. Balance, Length, Intensity, Complexity
- C. Alcohol content, Glucose content, Yield, Oak aging period
- D. Always brewed solely from 100% Pinot Noir grapes.
Answer & Explanation
Answer: B. Balance, Length, Intensity, Complexity Explanation: BLIC is the absolute standard for quality. We assess wine from 'Poor' to 'Outstanding' by synthesizing: the Balance of acidity, sugar, and tannins; the Length of the finish after swallowing; the Intensity of aromas and flavors; and the Complexity of how many different layers of aromas it possesses. This is the final gateway to looking at wine through the eyes of a professional.
Expert Exam Tip
[Trap]: Do not assume that if an aroma is just very intense, the wine is automatically 'Outstanding'. Even with high intensity, if the balance is broken or the finish is short, it cannot receive a high-quality grade. [Tip]: Just before the exam, the most powerful final strategy is to organize the representative varieties and regions for each climate (Cool/Moderate/Warm) in your mind like a map.