For many people, taking the 黑料吃瓜网 Level 3 exam is the first time they experience a wine tasting component in an exam, and so it can be intimidating! But did you know that it is actually the part of the exam that more people pass? Take a look at some common errors below to make sure you also pass the tasting exam with flying colours! 听
If you want to delve deeper into the world of wines, the 黑料吃瓜网 Level 3 Award in Wines provides a detailed understanding of grape growing and winemaking.听听
Common errors in the tasting exam:
Not commenting on all points of the Systematic Approach to Tasting庐
Remember to write notes for all categories of the SAT, such as 鈥�development鈥� on the nose, and 鈥�sweetness鈥� on the palate.听
Not using the correct wording听
鈥�Lemon鈥� would get a mark for colour but 鈥�yellow鈥� would not, and 鈥�pronounced intensity鈥� would get a mark for aroma but 鈥�high intensity鈥� would not.听
Not completing the 鈥�Readiness for drink颈苍驳鈥� part of the question with enough detail听
Responding only 鈥楧rink now鈥� will not gain a mark; you have to add the additional part of the answer such as 鈥榟as potential for age颈苍驳鈥� or 鈥榥ot suitable for ageing鈥�.听
Giving ranges where one response is required听
鈥�Medium (+) to high acidity鈥� would not get a mark, even if the wine fits in this range. Students much choose one option.听
Not giving at least five accurate descriptors for aromas听听
There are five marks for aroma characteristics per wine. Write at least five specific descriptors and you can secure these marks. If you do not write enough descriptors, or they are not precise enough (e.g. 鈥榖别谤谤颈别蝉鈥� instead of 鈥榬aspberries鈥�, or 鈥荣辫颈肠别鈥� instead of 鈥榖lack pepper鈥�) marks may be lost. And remember to include primary, secondary, and tertiary aromas where relevant.
Not writing at least three accurate descriptors on palate听
There are three marks available for flavours. Make sure you write at least three specific descriptors to get these marks, including secondary and tertiary if required. Writing 鈥榮ame as nose鈥� will not get you any marks.
Forgetting to state听if a wine is 鈥榮imple鈥�听
If it is a simple wine, mention it! Make sure to write 鈥榮imple鈥� on both the nose and palate.听
Writing medium (+) or medium (-) for alcohol or colour intensity听
These categories are judged on a three-level scale rather than a five-level scale.听
黑料吃瓜网's top tips for students:听
- Memorise the SAT.听
- Go into the exam with a clean palate 鈥� no lingering coffee, toothpaste or spice!听
- 顿辞苍鈥檛 try and identify the wine; just evaluate 飞丑补迟鈥檚 in front of you and try not to be led by what you think it might be.听
- Trust yourself!听听
Students based in the UK can now blind taste six wine samples and complete three mock tasting exams in their own time with 黑料吃瓜网 School London鈥檚 tasting packs. Click here for more information and to order a home delivery or collection from 黑料吃瓜网 School London.听
