If you're studying for your WSET Level 3 Award in Wines, Burgundy is one of those regions you really need to get to grips with.
From the appellation structure and vineyard classifications to the challenges of growing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, there's quite a lot to understand. And it's not just a case of learning the facts. In your WSET Level 3 written exam, you need to be able to explain why certain factors are important and how they influence grape growing and wine production.
So, I've put together three free WSET Level 3 short written answer practice questions from my YouTube tutorial, Understanding the Burgundy Appellation Structure For WSET Level 3.
Have a go at answering them yourself before watching the video, where I take you through the answers.
Test Your Knowledge: Three Free WSET Level 3 Written Exam Questions
Grab a pen and a piece of paper, put your textbook away and see how you get on.
Question 1: Weather Hazards in Burgundy (6 Marks)
Name three weather hazards and their effect on the vineyards of Burgundy.
Think about the different weather challenges growers face in Burgundy and what impact these can have on the vines and the crop.
Remember to answer both parts of the question. You need to name the hazards and describe their effects.
Question 2: Challenges of Growing Pinot Noir in Burgundy (4 Marks)
Describe two reasons why Pinot Noir is a particular challenge to grow in Burgundy.
Here, you're being asked for two reasons, with four marks available.
Think carefully about the characteristics of Pinot Noir as a grape variety and how they relate to the growing conditions in Burgundy.
Don't just list two points. Make sure you describe why each one presents a challenge.
Question 3: Grand Cru and Premier Cru Vineyards in Burgundy (6 Marks)
Describe the likely viticultural conditions of a Grand Cru or Premier Cru vineyard in Burgundy.
This question is worth six marks, so you'll need to provide a little more detail.
Think about the vineyard conditions that can help produce high-quality grapes, and how the location and characteristics of a vineyard can influence grape growing.
This is a good opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of Burgundy's vineyards rather than simply memorising the names of famous appellations.
Ready to Check Your Answers? Watch My Free Burgundy Video Tutorial
How did you get on?
Rather than giving you all the answers here, I'd encourage you to watch my YouTube tutorial, Understanding the Burgundy Appellation Structure for WSET Level 3.
In the video, I take you through Burgundy's appellation hierarchy, explain some of the important differences between the vineyard classifications and cover these short written answer practice questions.
You can jump to the questions at approximately 28 minutes, although I'd recommend watching the full lesson if you want to revise the Burgundy appellation structure as well.
Watch my free Burgundy WSET Level 3 tutorial and check your answers
As you watch, compare the answers with your own. Did you include the key points? Did you explain them clearly? And did you give enough detail for the marks available?
It's a really useful exercise, particularly if you're trying to improve your confidence with the written section of the exam.
My Advice for WSET Level 3 Short Written Answer Questions
One of the things I always encourage students to do is practise answering questions without looking at their notes. It's very easy to read through your textbook and think you know a subject, but sitting down and actually writing an answer is quite a different exercise.
Pay close attention to the command words. If the question asks you to describe, you need to do more than simply name or identify something.
Similarly, look at the number of marks available. This should help guide how much detail you need to include in your answer.
And perhaps most importantly, make sure you're answering the question that's actually been asked. There's no point writing everything you know about Burgundy if it isn't relevant to the question!
Practising these skills regularly will help you become more comfortable with the exam format and identify any areas that need a bit more revision.
More WSET Level 3 Mock Exam Questions and Revision Resources
If you've found these free WSET Level 3 mock exam questions useful and would like more practice, have a look at my Wine With Jimmy WSET Level 3 E-Learning Revision Portal.
I've created a range of resources to help you prepare for your exam, including:
Short written answer mock exam questions with model answers
Hundreds of multiple-choice revision questions
Over 1,000 digital revision flashcards
Video tutorials covering the WSET Level 3 syllabus
Additional revision activities and mock exam practice
The aim is to help you consolidate your knowledge, understand some of the trickier topics and develop the confidence to tackle the exam.
Explore my WSET Level 3 E-Learning Revision Portal
Good luck with your revision, and I hope you find the Burgundy questions useful!
Disclaimer: Wine With Jimmy is an independent revision resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by WSET. These are practice questions, not official WSET examination questions.
Written by Jimmy Smith: WSET Certified Educator · 20+ years in wine education · 6,000+ WSET students taught · Founder of West London Wine School, WSET Approved Programme Provider & WSET Global Educator of the Year