WSET Tasting Card - Quick Reference
Appearance
Clarity:
Color (White):
Color (Red):
Nose
Intensity:
Primary:
Palate
Sweetness:
Body:
Conclusion
Quality:
Readiness:
Clear
Wine is transparent with no visible particles or haze
Hazy
Wine has slight cloudiness but is not opaque
Pale
Low color intensity, often indicating cool climate or young age
Deep
High color intensity, often from warm climate or grape variety
Lemon
Pale yellow-green color typical of young white wines
Gold
Deep yellow color indicating age, oak treatment, or grape variety
Purple
Blue-red color indicating youth in red wines
Ruby
Pure red color of mature red wines
Garnet
Red-brown color indicating maturity in red wines
Clean
Wine is free from faults and off-odors
Faulty
Wine shows signs of defects or contamination
Light
Aromas are barely perceptible
Pronounced
Aromas are very intense and easily detected
Citrus
Fresh citrus fruit aromas from the grape variety
Stone Fruit
Aromas of peach, apricot, nectarine from grape variety
Tropical Fruit
Exotic fruit aromas like passion fruit, mango, pineapple
Red Fruit
Fresh red fruit aromas from grape variety
Black Fruit
Dark fruit aromas typical of full-bodied reds
Yeast/Lees
Bread-like, creamy aromas from yeast contact
Malolactic
Buttery, creamy aromas from malolactic fermentation
Oak
Vanilla, toast, spice aromas from oak aging
Bottle Age
Complex aromas developed during bottle aging
Bone Dry
No perceptible sweetness
Off-Dry
Just perceptible sweetness
Medium Sweet
Clearly sweet but balanced by acidity
Sweet
High level of residual sugar
Low Acidity
Wine feels soft and flabby, lacks freshness
High Acidity
Wine feels sharp and mouth-watering
Low Tannins
Little astringent sensation, wine feels smooth
High Tannins
Strong astringent, drying sensation
Light-bodied
Wine feels thin and delicate on the palate
Medium-bodied
Wine has moderate weight and texture
Full-bodied
Wine feels rich and weighty on the palate
Balanced
All elements (acid, alcohol, tannin, fruit) in harmony
Short Finish
Flavors disappear quickly after swallowing
Long Finish
Flavors persist for 30+ seconds after swallowing
Faulty
Wine has significant defects that make it undrinkable
Poor
Wine is technically sound but lacks character and balance
Acceptable
Simple but correctly made wine, suitable for everyday drinking
Good
Well-made wine with some complexity and character
Very Good
High quality wine with complexity, balance, and length
Outstanding
Exceptional wine showing perfect balance, complexity, and length
Too Young
Wine needs more time to develop and integrate
Ready to Drink
Wine is at peak drinking condition now
Past Its Best
Wine is declining and should be consumed soon