WSET Diploma D1 Exercises (Vineyard Establishment)

Answer

A flat, fertile site with good water retention in a warm, dry climate is ideal for producing large quantities of relatively inexpensive, stable wine.

The warmth speeds up ripening, ensuring that grapes reach sufficient sugar levels consistently, which results in reliable and high yields. The dryness reduces the risk of fungal diseases, which could otherwise increase production costs due to the need for fungicide spraying and additional labor for sorting. Fertile soils are preferred because they support vigorous vine growth, leading to higher grape yields. A flat site is ideal as it facilitates the mechanization of vineyard practices such as planting, pruning, and harvesting, significantly reducing labor costs and allowing for the efficient management of large vineyard areas. The soil should also have good water retention capacity to support growth, especially in regions where irrigation may be necessary but limited by cost or availability.

Grading Criteria

• The condition
  • For stating that a flat, fertile site with good water retention in a warm, dry climate is important, you get 1 point for each, for a total of 5 points.
• Warmth
  • For pointing out that warmth accelerates ripening, you get 1 point.
  • For stating that accelerated ripening helps grapes reach sufficient sugar levels consistently, you get 1 point.
• Dryness
  • For pointing out that dryness reduces the risk of fungal diseases, you get 1 point.
  • For stating that this reduces production costs, such as fungicide spraying and additional labor for sorting, you get 1 point.
• Fertility
  • For pointing out that fertile soils support vigorous vine growth, you get 1 point.
  • For stating that vigorous vine growth leads to higher grape yields, you get 1 point.
• Flatness
  • For pointing out that a flat site is ideal because it facilitates the mechanization of vineyard practices, you get 1 point.
  • For stating that mechanization significantly reduces labor costs and allows for efficient management of large vineyard areas, you get 1 point.
• Good water retention
  • For pointing out that good water retention supports growth, you get 1 point.
  • For stating that good water retention is especially important in regions where irrigation may be necessary but limited by cost or availability, you get 1 point.

Answer

Before any physical soil preparation, it’s crucial to conduct soil tests to assess its drainage and structure, mineral composition, and the presence of pests or unwanted plants. This helps determine the specific needs for amending the soil.

Large rocks at or near the surface may be removed. If the land has previously been used for agriculture, grape growers may need to perform subsoiling before further cultivation can take place, which promotes better drainage and makes the soil easier to cultivate once the vineyard is established. If vines or other crops have been uprooted to plant new vines, the roots must be burned as they can otherwise harbor disease. If weeds are a particular problem on the site, grape growers should use systemic herbicides at this point. Farmyard manure, compost, and fertilizers may also be applied by plowing to increase the levels of nutrients and organic matter in the soil. For acidic soils, lime can be spread on the soil and then plowed in. In regions with steep slopes, terraces may be constructed to provide flat land on which to plant vines.

Grading Criteria

• Soil tests
  • For pointing out that grape growers first conduct soil tests to assess drainage, structure, mineral composition, and the presence of pests or weeds, you get 1 point.
  • For stating that soil tests help determine the specific amendments needed, you get 1 point.
• Rock removal
  • For pointing out that large rocks at or near the surface should be removed, you get 1 point.
• Subsoiling
  • For stating that grape growers may need to perform subsoiling, you get 1 point.
  • For pointing out that subsoiling improves drainage and make the soil easier to cultivate, you get 1 point.
• Burning roots
  • For stating that uprooted roots must be burned, you get 1 point.
  • For pointing out that this prevents the spread of disease, you get 1 point.
• Weed management
  • For mentioning that grape growers should use systemic herbicides if weeds are a problem on the site, you get 1 point.
• Nutrient enrichment
  • For stating that farmyard manure, compost, and fertilizers can be applied, you get 1 point.
  • For pointing out that this increases nutrient levels and organic matter, you get 1 point.
• pH correction
  • For stating that lime can be applied to correct soil pH, you get 1 point. Other methods to adjust soil pH are also acceptable.
• Terracing
  • For pointing out that terraces may be constructed in regions with steep slopes to provide flat planting areas, you get 1 point.

Answer

When starting viticulture in a specific climate, grape growers should consider six factors: budding time, ripening duration, drought tolerance, disease resistance, winter hardiness, and vigor.

In cool climates where spring frosts are a concern, varieties that bud early may be particularly vulnerable, while late-budding varieties might have a better chance of avoiding damage. The length of the grape’s growth cycle should match the climate; early ripening varieties are suitable for cooler climates to avoid the risk of unripe grapes due to early autumn frosts, whereas late-ripening varieties are better for warmer climates where they can mature fully without sugars developing too quickly. In dry climates, choosing grape varieties that can tolerate water stress, ensures better survival and less need for intensive irrigation. Some varieties are naturally more resistant to fungal diseases, which is particularly important in damp or humid climates to reduce the need for chemical treatments. Varieties with good tolerance to cold are necessary in regions with severe winters to prevent vine damage. In humid climates or regions with high rainfall, low-vigour varieties are preferred to prevent excessive vegetative growth and ensure good fruit quality.

Grading Criteria

• 6 Factors
  • For stating that budding time, ripening duration, drought tolerance, disease resistance, winter hardiness, and vigor are important factors to consider, you get 1 point for each, for a total of 6 points.
• Budding time
  • For pointing out that early-budding varieties are not desirable in cool climates, you get 1 point.
  • For explaining that early-budding varieties are vulnerable to spring frosts, you get 1 point.
• Ripening duration
  • For stating that early-ripening varieties are suitable for cooler climates, while late-ripening varieties are better for warmer climates, you get 1 point.
  • For stating that early-ripening varieties need to avoid the risk of unripe grapes due to early autumn frosts, you get 1 point.
  • For stating that late-ripening varieties can fully mature without sugars developing too quickly, you get 1 point.
• Drought tolerance
  • For pointing out that drought-tolerant varieties are essential in dry climates, you get 1 point.
  • For stating that these varieties ensure better survival and reduce the need for intensive irrigation, you get 1 point.
• Disease resistance
  • For pointing out that varieties resistant to fungal diseases are preferred in damp or humid climates, you get 1 point.
  • For stating that this reduces the need for monitoring labor and chemical treatments, you get 1 point. Broad explanations for why disease-resistant varieties are chosen are also acceptable.
• Winter hardines
  • For pointing out that varieties with good tolerance to cold are necessary in regions with severe winters, you get 1 point.
  • For stating that this prevents vine damage even in harsh winters, you get 1 point.
• Vigor
  • For pointing out that in humid climates or regions with high rainfall, low-vigor varieties are preferred, you get 1 point.
  • For explaining that this prevents excessive vegetative growth and ensures good fruit quality, you get 1 point.

Answer

Pest resistance is a primary factor to consider. Selecting rootstocks that are resistant to local pests, such as phylloxera and root-knot nematodes, minimizes the need for chemical treatments and enhances the vineyard’s sustainability. Drought tolerance is also crucial, especially in arid regions or areas with limited water availability. Salinity tolerance is important in areas where soils have high levels of dissolved salts. In soils with extreme pH levels, such as high lime content, it is preferable to select rootstocks that can tolerate these conditions. Additionally, rootstocks can be used to moderate or enhance the vigor of the vine. In regions where ripening is challenging, such as cooler climates, low-vigor rootstocks are preferred to facilitate maturation. Conversely, in areas with infertile soils and dry conditions, high-vigor rootstocks are favored to boost vine growth and yields.

Grading Criteria

• Factors
  • For stating that pest resistance, drought tolerance, salinity tolerance, pH tolerance, and vigor are important factors to consider, you get 1 point for each, for a total of 5 points.
• Pest resistance
  • For pointing out that selecting rootstocks resistant to local pests minimizes the need for chemical treatments and enhances the vineyard’s sustainability, you get 1 point.
  • For listing examples of local pests such as phylloxera and root-knot nematodes, you get 1 point.
• Drought tolerance
  • For pointing out that drought tolerance is preferred in arid regions or areas with limited water availability, you get 1 point.
• Salinity tolerance
  • For pointing out that salinity tolerance is important in areas where soils have high levels of dissolved salts, you get 1 point.
• pH tolerance
  • For stating that soils with extreme pH levels require rootstocks with pH tolerance, you get 1 point.
  • For listing examples of extreme pH condition soils, such as those with high limestone content, you get 1 point.
• Vigor
  • For pointing out that low-vigor rootstocks are preferred to facilitate maturation in regions where ripening is challenging, you get 1 point.
  • For pointing out that high-vigor rootstocks are favored to boost vine growth and yields in areas with infertile soils and dry conditions, you get 1 point.