WSET Level 2 Practice Quiz: Grape Varieties

Grape varieties are the backbone of WSET Level 2. Jesse made wine from Chardonnay in Burgundy, Syrah in California, and Touriga Nacional in Portugal’s Douro Valley — so when he talks about how variety shapes the wine in the glass, it comes from real cellar experience, not just a textbook.

This free practice quiz covers the key grape varieties in the WSET Level 2 Award in Wines syllabus: the major white and red varieties that appear in exam questions, their typical flavor profiles, the regions where they thrive, and how winemaking choices interact with varietal character.

You’ll encounter questions on classic varieties like Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Syrah/Shiraz, as well as some of the more distinctive grapes that come up in the exam’s regional sections. Work through these questions carefully — variety knowledge underpins almost every other topic at Level 2.

WSET LEVEL 2: GRAPE VARIETIES

Practice questions based on the WSET Level 2 Award in Wines syllabus. Written by WSET-certified professionals for self-study purposes.

Which of the following is a primary aroma of Sauvignon Blanc? Vanilla and toast Green bell pepper and passion fruit Honey and marmalade Black cherry and tobacco

Which grape variety is most associated with the Barossa Valley in Australia? Pinot Noir Riesling Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon

Pinot Noir is typically described as having which body type? Full body with high tannin Light to medium body with high acidity Full body with low acidity Light body with high tannin

Which of the following grape varieties is known for high tannin levels? Pinot Grigio Gamay Cabernet Sauvignon Riesling

Malbec is the signature red grape of which country? Chile South Africa Spain Argentina

What is the primary characteristic that distinguishes Riesling from other white grape varieties? Its oak-aged richness Its very low acidity Its ability to produce wine across the full spectrum from bone-dry to intensely sweet Its neutral, mild flavors

Which grape variety is most widely planted in the world? Chardonnay Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Tempranillo

Gewürztraminer is known for aromas of: Citrus and mineral Green apple and chalk Lychee, rose petal, and ginger Blackcurrant and cedar

Tempranillo is the key red grape variety of which country? Italy Portugal France Spain

Which of the following describes Chardonnay's flavor profile in a cool climate? Tropical fruit and butter Green apple, citrus, and mineral Red cherry and vanilla Blackberry and pepper

Which grape variety is known as Syrah in France and Shiraz in Australia? Grenache Mourvèdre Merlot Syrah/Shiraz — they are the same grape

What is the key flavor difference between Pinot Grigio from Italy and Pinot Gris from Alsace? They are identical in all respects Italian Pinot Grigio is typically light and neutral; Alsace Pinot Gris is richer with more body and spice Italian Pinot Grigio is sweeter Alsace Pinot Gris is lighter and more acidic

Nebbiolo is the grape behind which famous Italian wines? Chianti and Brunello Barolo and Barbaresco Amarone and Valpolicella Prosecco and Soave

Which grape variety is used to make most white Burgundy? Sauvignon Blanc Chardonnay Viognier Chenin Blanc

Grenache is most commonly found in blends from which region? Bordeaux Southern Rhône Valley Burgundy Mosel

What is the Bordeaux Blend typically composed of? Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvèdre Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc Pinot Noir and Gamay Tempranillo and Garnacha

Viognier is best known for wines that are: Bone dry with high acidity Light-bodied with citrus notes Full-bodied with aromas of apricot, peach, and blossom Sparkling with floral notes

Which grape variety is used to make Sancerre? Chardonnay Chenin Blanc Muscadet Sauvignon Blanc

Carmenère was once thought to be Merlot in which country? Argentina Chile Australia South Africa

Which of the following best describes Chenin Blanc? Always dry with high tannin Versatile — can be dry, off-dry, sweet, or sparkling, with high acidity Always sweet with low acidity Neutral with no distinguishing characteristics

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WSET Level 2 Study Tips: Grape Varieties

Mastering grape varieties for WSET Level 2 isn’t about memorizing hundreds of names — it’s about building a mental model that connects variety, climate, and style. Here’s our approach:

Learn varieties in their natural habitat first. Chardonnay in Chablis tastes different from Chardonnay in Napa, and the exam will test you on why. Understanding how climate modifies varietal character is more powerful than memorizing flavor descriptors in isolation.

Focus on the 10–12 core varieties. The WSET Level 2 syllabus isn’t trying to cover every grape on earth. Focus on the varieties that appear in multiple regional contexts: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Syrah/Shiraz are your priority list.

Connect varieties to winemaking styles. Some grapes are defined by what you do to them in the winery: oak on Chardonnay, malolactic conversion, whole-cluster fermentation for Pinot Noir. These production decisions come up regularly alongside varietal questions.

Use wine tasting to reinforce your learning. Even an inexpensive example of Malbec or Grenache will anchor the descriptors in your memory far better than a flashcard.

For more practice across all WSET Level 2 topics, explore our complete WSET practice exam hub.

Looking for structured WSET study materials? We recommend Napa Valley Wine Academy’s WSET courses — comprehensive video lessons and study notes that pair perfectly with these practice quizzes.