D1

WSET Diploma D1 Exercises (The Growing Environment: part 2)

On this page, you will review the content of each chapter of the WSET texts through practice questions designed in accordance with the WSET exam format.

In this chapter, we will study “The Growing Environment”

Question 1

Part 1

Explain how a plentiful supply of water affects vines in each growing stage.

13 points

View answer

Answer

In the early growth stage, a plentiful supply of water fosters vigorous shoot and leaf growth, thus expanding the leaf surface area. This boosts photosynthesis, aiding both vine growth and grape ripening.

Conversely, excessive water availability before véraison can promote ongoing vegetative growth at the expense of grape development. This competitive dynamic leads the plant to prioritize sugar allocation for shoot growth rather than grape ripening, resulting in delayed and compromised ripening. Moreover, too many shoots and leaves before véraison can significantly reduce sunlight exposure to the grape bunches, resulting in decreased formation of anthocyanins, tannins, and aroma compounds, reduced tannin polymerization, and increased levels of methoxypyrazines. Dense canopies also restrict airflow, which can promote fungal diseases.

During the post-véraison stage, although some water is crucial for grape development, excess water can dilute grape sugars and cause grape splitting, which may encourage the development of botrytis.

Grading Criteria

  • Early Growth Stage
    • For the statement that a plentiful supply of water promotes vigorous growth of shoots and leaves, you get 1 point.
    • For noting that this results in a large leaf surface area, enabling vines to absorb more sunlight, you get 1 point.
    • For concluding that this enhances the photosynthesis process, which supports vine growth and grape ripening, you get 1 point.
  • Pre-véraison
    • For the observation that excessive water availability can encourage continued vegetative growth, you get 1 point.
    • For identifying that this creates a competitive situation where the plant prioritizes sugar allocation for shoot growth over grape ripening, you get 1 point.
    • For concluding that this results in delayed and compromised ripening, you get 1 point.
    • For noting that an excessive number of shoots and leaves can significantly reduce sunlight exposure to the grape bunches, you get 1 point.
    • For concluding that this has negative effects on vines, such as reduced formation of anthocyanins, tannins, and aroma compounds, you get 1 point.
    • For pointing out that dense canopies also impede ventilation, you get 1 point.
    • For concluding that this increases the risk of fostering fungal diseases, you get 1 point.
  • Post-véraison
    • For the statement that excess water can dilute grape sugars, you get 1 point.
    • For noting that excess water can cause grape splitting, you get 1 point.
    • For pointing out that this in turn promotes botrytis, you get 1 point.

Part 2

Explain the characteristics of the soil in Jerez and discuss the necessity of irrigation.

10 points

View answer

Answer

In Jerez, Spain, the annual rainfall is approximately 650 mm, with virtually no rainfall during the summer months. The soil in Jerez is predominantly albariza, a type of clay soil known for its excellent water retention properties. Albariza soil has the ability to slowly release water to the vines during these dry periods, which is crucial for vine survival and growth. Additionally, when the soil dries, it forms a crust on the surface that significantly reduces water evaporation. Due to these characteristics, irrigation is generally not necessary in Jerez, even Jerez has less rainfalls in summer. It is only permitted under exceptional circumstances of extreme hydric stress.

Grading Criteria

  • The climate condition
    • For the premise that Jerez receives relatively less rainfall than other vine-growing areas, you get 1 point.
    • For noting that Jerez experiences no rainfall during the summer months, you get 1 point.
  • Soil
    • For identifying “albariza” as the predominant soil type in Jerez, you get 1 point.
    • For pointing out that albariza is a type of clay soil, you get 1 point.
    • For stating that albariza retains water very well, you get 1 point.
    • For explaining that albariza soil slowly releases water to the vines during dry periods, you get 1 point.
    • For noting that albariza forms a crust on the surface when the soil dries, you get 1 point.
    • For pointing out that this significantly reduces water evaporation, you get 1 point.
    • For concluding that irrigation is generally not necessary in Jerez due to these characteristics, despite the lower summer rainfall, you get 1 point.
    • For pointing out that irrigation is only permitted under extreme hydric stress, you get 1 point.

Part 3

Explain the negative effects of high levels of nitrogen and potassium on vines.

10 points

View answer

Answer

High levels of nitrogen can lead to excessive vegetative growth in vines, which might result in a dense canopy. This denseness can shade the fruit clusters, reducing their exposure to sunlight and, consequently, impairing the development of sugars and flavors in the grapes. Additionally, this lush growth can increase the risk of fungal diseases due to poor air circulation among the leaves and clusters.

Excessive potassium, on the other hand, can disrupt the balance of other crucial nutrients in the vine, particularly magnesium, leading to reduced yields and poor ripening. It can also lead to an increase in the pH of the grape juice, which can negatively affect the color stability and taste of the wine by reducing its acidity.

Grading Criteria

  • Nitrogen
    • For the statement that high levels of nitrogen can lead to excessive vegetative growth in vines, resulting in a dense canopy, you get 1 point.
    • For noting that this density can shade the fruit clusters, reducing their exposure to sunlight, you get 1 point.
    • For stating that this impairs the development of sugars and flavors in the grapes, you get 1 point.
    • For the observation that this lush growth hinders air circulation among the leaves and clusters, you get 1 point.
    • For the conclusion that this increases the risk of fungal diseases, you get 1 point.
  • Pottasium
    • For the statement that excessive potassium can disrupt the balance of other crucial nutrients in the vine, you get 1 point.
    • For examples of crucial nutrients being reduced, such as magnesium, you get 1 point.
    • For the conclusion that this leads to negative impacts, such as reduced yields and poor ripening, you get 1 point.
    • For noting that excessive potassium can also lead to an increase in the pH of the grape juice, you get 1 point.
    • For the conclusion that this can negatively affect the final wine quality, such as color stability and taste, by reducing its acidity, you get 1 point.

Part 4

Explain two physical parameters of soil and discuss how these parameters influence water drainage, nutrient retention, and root extension in clay-rich soils.

15 points

View answer

Answer

The two physical parameters of soil are texture and structure. Soil texture refers to the proportions of sand, silt, and clay it contains. Soil structure, on the other hand, describes how soil particles are grouped together to form aggregates.

Clay-rich soils are finely textured, with the small size of clay particles providing a large surface area relative to their volume. This characteristic allows clay soils to effectively hold water and nutrients better than sandy soils. However, their fine texture can also slow water drainage, potentially leading to waterlogging.

In clay-rich soils, the structure tends to be very stable and tightly packed, making them sticky when wet and hard when dry. This density can challenge vine roots, which may struggle to penetrate these dense aggregates. The tight structure restricts root growth, limiting the roots’ ability to explore the soil for water and nutrients. Furthermore, the compact nature of these aggregates can further impede water drainage, exacerbating issues with water retention and aeration within the soil.

Grading Criteria

  • Two physical parameters:
    • For listing two physical parameters of soil as texture and structure, you get 1 point.
  • Texture:
    • For the statement that soil texture refers to the proportions of sand, silt, and clay it contains, you get 1 point.
    • For identifying that clay-rich soils are finely textured, you get 1 point.
    • For the explanation that finely textured soils provide a large surface area, you get 1 point.
    • For noting that this large surface area characteristic allows clay soils to hold water and nutrients effectively, you get 1 point.
    • For stating that the fine texture of clay soils can slow water drainage, you get 1 point.
    • For stating that this potentially lead to waterlogging, you get 1 point.
  • Structure:
    • For the statement that soil structure describes how soil particles group together to form aggregates, you get 1 point.
    • For pointing out that in clay-rich soils, the structure tends to be very stable and tightly packed, you get 1 point.
    • For the observation that this density makes the soil sticky when wet and hard when dry, you get 1 point.
    • For the conclusion that this density struggle to penetrate these dense aggregates, you get 1 point.
    • For the explanation that tight structure restricts root growth, you get 1 point.
    • For conclusion that this limits the roots’ ability to explore for water and nutrients, you get 1 point.
    • For explanation that the compact nature of these aggregates further impedes water drainage, you get 1 point.
    • For conclusion that this exacerbate issues with water retention and aeration, you get 1 point.

Part 5

Explain what a Maritime climate is and discuss the disadvantages of growing vines in this climate.

10 points

View answer

Answer

Maritime climates exhibit minimal annual temperature fluctuations between summer and winter, with rainfall also relatively evenly distributed throughout the year.

In maritime climates, the subtle differences between winter and spring temperatures can lead to less synchronized budburst, which may result in uneven grape maturation, thereby affecting the flavor balance and overall character of the wine.

During the growing season, maritime climates often experience rainfall that can lead to excessive vine vigor. This can prioritize sugar allocation for shoot growth over grape ripening and shade the grape bunches from sunlight, resulting in delayed and compromised ripening. Additionally, the increased humidity from rainfall can heighten the incidence of fungal diseases, posing significant challenges near harvest time.

Grading Criteria

  • Definition:
    • For the statement that Maritime climates exhibit minimal annual temperature fluctuations between summer and winter, you get 1 point.
    • For noting that rainfall is relatively evenly distributed throughout the year in Maritime climates, you get 1 point.
  • Disadvantages:
    • For identifying that the subtle differences between winter and spring temperatures can lead to less synchronized budburst, you get 1 point.
    • For explaining that less synchronized budburst may result in uneven grape maturation,
    • For conclusion that this uneven tgrape maturation affect the flavor balance and overall character of the wine, you get 1 point.
    • For the observation that maritime climates often experience rainfall during the growing season, leading to excessive vine vigor, you get 1 point.
    • For stating that excessive vine vigor can prioritize sugar allocation for shoot growth over grape ripening, you get 1 point.
    • For stating that excessive vine vigor shade the grape bunches from sunlight, you get 1 point.
    • For conclusion that these facters changes result in delayed and compromised ripening, you get 1 point.
    • For noting that increased humidity from rainfall can heighten the incidence of fungal diseases, you get 1 point.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *