Level 1 · Wine & Spirits Exam Prep
Examples of Wines
Real wine examples and how to read a wine label.
Topics covered
- Reading wine labels
- Country and region labelling
- Appellation systems
- New vs Old World
Level 1 Study Guide
Major Grape Varieties
Quick Revision
- Champagne = France, sparkling
- Prosecco = Italy (Veneto), sparkling
- Cava = Spain (Catalonia), sparkling
- Bordeaux = France, Cab Sauv + Merlot
- Burgundy = France, Pinot Noir / Chardonnay
- Rioja = Spain, Tempranillo
- Chianti = Italy (Tuscany), Sangiovese
- Port = Portugal (Douro), sweet fortified
Key Facts for the Exam
- Champagne: sparkling wine from the Champagne region of France; made from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier
- Prosecco: Italian sparkling wine from Veneto; made from Glera grape using the tank method
- Cava: Spanish sparkling wine from Catalonia; traditional method like Champagne
- Bordeaux: French red wine region; uses Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot
- Burgundy (Bourgogne): French region; red = Pinot Noir, white = Chardonnay
- Rioja: Spanish red wine region; main grape Tempranillo, often oak-aged
- Chianti: Italian red wine from Tuscany; based on Sangiovese grape
- Port: sweet fortified red wine from the Douro Valley, Portugal
Level 1 Exam Tips
- 1.Every classic wine region has a grape variety or blend to memorise — link them together.
- 2.Champagne = France; Prosecco = Italy; Cava = Spain — location matching is a common MCQ.
- 3.Port is from Portugal (Douro Valley) and is fortified + sweet — both characteristics together.
- 4.Burgundy Red = Pinot Noir; Burgundy White = Chardonnay — always these two varieties.
Common Exam Mistakes
- ✗Confusing Champagne (France) with Prosecco (Italy) or Cava (Spain)
- ✗Thinking Port is dry — it is a sweet fortified wine (except for Dry White Port)
- ✗Mixing up Chianti (Tuscany, Sangiovese) with Rioja (Spain, Tempranillo)
Key Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the difference between Champagne and Prosecco?
- Both are sparkling wines, but they come from different countries and are made differently. Champagne is from the Champagne region of France and undergoes its second fermentation in the bottle (traditional method). Prosecco is from northeast Italy and uses the Charmat method (second fermentation in a tank), giving it lighter, fruitier bubbles.
- What makes Port different from regular red wine?
- Port is a fortified wine — grape spirit (brandy) is added during fermentation, which kills the yeast before all the sugar is converted to alcohol. This leaves the wine sweet and raises the alcohol to around 20% ABV. Most Port is made in the Douro Valley in Portugal.
- Do I need to memorise all wine regions for Level 1?
- Level 1 focuses on the most internationally recognised classic wines. You should know the main regions (Champagne, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rioja, Chianti, Douro) and their key grape varieties or wine styles. In-depth regional knowledge comes in Levels 2 and 3.