WSET Level3 Practice Short Written Answer Questions (Rhône)

Answer

Viognier requires full ripeness, achieved late in the growing season, to develop its distinctive aromas. The high-quality vineyards in Condrieu are located on steep, south-facing slopes, which receive ample sunlight. This promotes grape ripening, allowing Viognier to fully mature and express its characteristic aromas.

Grading Criteria

• For mentioning that Viognier needs to be “fully ripe to develop its distinctive aromas,” you get 1 point.
• For stating that the high-quality vineyards in Condrieu are located on “south-facing” slopes, you get 1 point.
• For stating that the vineyards are on “steep slopes,” you get 1 point.
• For explaining that “south-facing steep slopes” provide “ample sunlight,” which promotes ripening, you get 1 point.
• For explaining that increased sunlight allows Viognier to “fully ripen and develop its characteristic aromas,” you get 1 point.

Answer

In the Southern Rhône, high levels of sunlight increase the risk of sunburn on grapes. By adopting the bush vine training method, the leaves naturally droop to create shade for the grapes, reducing the risk of sunburn. While bush vines can result in poor airflow around the vines, the dry climate of the Southern Rhône minimizes the risk of disease, making this concern less significant.

Grading Criteria

• For mentioning that in the Southern Rhône, “high levels of sunlight increase the risk of sunburn on grapes,” you get 1 point.
• For stating that bush vines allow for “shade to be created by the drooping leaves,” you get 1 point.
• For explaining that this shade “reduces the risk of sunburn on the grapes,” you get 1 point.
• For mentioning that bush vines can lead to “poor airflow around the vines,” you get 1 point.
• For explaining that the Southern Rhône’s “dry climate reduces the risk of disease,” making the lack of airflow less problematic, you get 1 point.

Answer

In the Southern Rhône, strong northerly winds, known as the Mistral, can damage vines. By training the vines low, growers reduce the surface area exposed to the wind, minimizing the impact of the Mistral. Additionally, training vines low allows them to maximize heat reflected from the ground, aiding grape ripening.

Grading Criteria

• For mentioning that in the Southern Rhône, “strong northerly winds can damage vines,” you get 1 point.
• For identifying these winds as the “Mistral,” you get 1 point.
• For stating that training vines low minimizes the surface area exposed to the wind and “reduces the impact of the Mistral,” you get 1 point.
• For explaining that training vines low “maximizes heat reflected from the ground, aiding grape ripening,” you get 1 point.

Answer

In the warm climate of the Southern Rhône, wines made solely from Grenache can develop jammy aromas and high alcohol levels, which may result in wines that lack complexity. Blending with other grape varieties helps address these shortcomings, balancing Grenache and improving the overall quality of the wine. For example, Syrah is added to enhance color and tannin, Mourvèdre contributes black fruit flavors along with game and meat notes, and Cinsault provides complementary red fruit flavors. By combining Grenache with these varieties, the resulting wines achieve greater balance and complexity suitable for the Southern Rhône climate.

Grading Criteria

• For explaining that Grenache as a single variety can result in “jammy aromas” and “high alcohol levels,” leading to wines that lack complexity, you get 1 point.
• For stating that blending helps “balance Grenache and improve the wine’s quality,” you get 1 point.
• For mentioning that Syrah adds “color and tannin,” you get 1 point.
• For mentioning that Mourvèdre adds “black fruit flavors” and “game or meat flavors,” you get 1 point.
• For mentioning that Cinsault adds “red fruit flavors,” you get 1 point.