Level 1 · Wine & Spirits Exam Prep
Principle Grape Varieties
The key white and red grape varieties found on bottles worldwide.
Topics covered
- Chardonnay
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Riesling
- Pinot Noir
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot
Level 1 Study Guide
Major Grape Varieties
Quick Revision
- Chardonnay = full-body, versatile, Burgundy/Champagne
- Sauvignon Blanc = grassy, high acid, Loire/NZ
- Riesling = high acid, dry to sweet, Germany
- Cab Sauv = high tannin, blackcurrant, Bordeaux
- Merlot = soft tannin, plum, Bordeaux right bank
- Syrah = Shiraz (same grape!)
- Pinot Noir = light, low tannin, Burgundy
Key Facts for the Exam
- Chardonnay: full-bodied white; can be oaked (buttery) or unoaked (crisp); grows in Burgundy, Champagne, Australia
- Sauvignon Blanc: aromatic, high-acid white with grassy/citrus notes; key regions: Loire, New Zealand
- Riesling: high acidity, can be dry to very sweet; Germany, Alsace, Australia
- Cabernet Sauvignon: full-bodied red with high tannin; blackcurrant flavours; Bordeaux, California, Chile
- Merlot: softer tannin red with plum and chocolate; Bordeaux right bank, Chile
- Syrah/Shiraz: spicy, full-bodied red; France (Syrah) vs Australia (Shiraz) — same grape, different names
- Pinot Noir: light-bodied, low tannin red; red fruits; Burgundy, Oregon, New Zealand
- Sparkling: Champagne uses Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier
Level 1 Exam Tips
- 1.Learn the flavour profile + key region for each variety — questions pair them together.
- 2.Syrah and Shiraz are the SAME grape — Syrah in France, Shiraz in Australia.
- 3.Pinot Noir is always lighter-bodied with lower tannin than Cabernet — a reliable distinction.
- 4.Riesling is the classic high-acid grape that can be made in ANY sweetness level.
Common Exam Mistakes
- ✗Confusing Sauvignon Blanc (aromatic, grassy) with Chardonnay (fuller, potentially oaky)
- ✗Thinking Shiraz and Syrah are different grapes — they are the same grape with different regional names
- ✗Forgetting Merlot is softer than Cabernet Sauvignon — both are red but Merlot has less tannin
Related Topics
Key Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many grape varieties are there and which do I need to know?
- There are thousands of wine grape varieties, but WSET Level 1 focuses on the internationally recognised varieties: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling (whites) and Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah/Shiraz, Pinot Noir (reds). These appear on wine labels worldwide.
- Is Shiraz the same as Syrah?
- Yes — Shiraz and Syrah are the same grape variety. The name changes depending on where it is grown. In France (particularly the Rhône Valley) it is called Syrah; in Australia it is called Shiraz. The styles can differ: French Syrah tends to be more savoury, while Australian Shiraz is often richer and more fruit-forward.
- Why does Riesling sometimes taste sweet and sometimes dry?
- Riesling is a very versatile grape that winemakers can craft into dry, medium, or sweet wines. In Germany, sweetness levels are often shown on the label (Kabinett, Spätlese, Auslese, etc.). Alsace Riesling tends to be dry. The grape itself has very high natural acidity, which balances sweetness well.