Cracking the Tannin Code

Why “Level + Nature” is the Key to Securing Marks in the D3 Exam

Framing the Question

In the WSET D3 tasting exam, tannins are worth 2 marks on the palate assessment:

• 1 mark for level (low, medium-, medium, medium+, high)

• 1 mark for nature (ripe, smooth, fine-grained, or unripe, coarse, chalky, stalky, etc.)

Many candidates lock in the first, but throw away the second. Writing “Medium (+) tannins” without describing thei…