WSET DIPLOMA D1 ACTUAL EXAM
PAPER 2026 QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS GRADED A+
◍ Advantages of precision viticulture.
Answer: targeted interventions carried out precisely reduced environmental
impact
◍ Why do regions with seasonal temperature differences have an advantage
for budburst?.
Answer: Rapidly increasing temperatures in the spring results in more
uniform budburst which means uniform ripeness.
◍ Vineyard design -planting density.
Answer: 1 hectare (100m x 100m) : 2.47 acres# rows x # vines/rowhigh
density not = high qualitybalance between root and canopy- vigour- planting
density- soil fertility- training- poor soil -> high density- low water -> low
density- fertile soil -> low densityrow alleys not < heights of row canopy15
shoots per metrewider alleys -> greater plant distance
◍ Amerine &Winkler'sCategoryIII.
Answer: 1650 < GDD < 1930 (3001 - 3500)Paso Robles, Lake, McDowell
Valley, San Benitocf. Barossa Valley, Stellenbosch, S Rhone, ClareValley,
Lower Hunter, Rioja, Piedmontpremium full-bodied reds (zinfandel,
grenache,barbera, tempranillo, syrah, gamay, carignan,ruby cabernet)
◍ EU Region C2.
Answer: Languedoc-Roussillon, Provence, NSpain ex Atlantic coast,
Italy;Min 8.5% abv;Max 2% to 13% enrichment;-1 - +2.5 g/L acid
adjustment
◍ what are some post-fermentation adjustments that can be made?.
, Answer: removal of alcohol (reverse osmosis, spinning cone - also removes
VA)- color adjustment
◍ What is a head trained vine?.
Answer: One with relatively little permanent.
◍ what is laccase? where is it found?.
Answer: an enzyme capable of oxidising a number of components in grape
must and wine (resistant to SO2)- in noble rot-infected must
◍ What factors influence between row spacing?.
Answer: Needs to be far enough so one row doesn't shade the
other.Vigorous vines trained high and trellised need more spacing.Also,
needs to be wide enough for required machinery to fit.
◍ What is the impact of windless nights on frost?.
Answer: Allows a layer of freezing cold air to develop above the surface of
the soil
◍ What is a bunch of grapes?.
Answer: Fertilized inflorescence
◍ What is flowering?.
Answer: The opening of the individual flowers within an inflorescence?
◍ what is the typical fermentation temperature range for rose production?.
Answer: 12-16C
◍ Hail.
Answer: Burgundy, Mendoza, PiedmontIrregular pathwayRip and strip
leaves & bunchesPrevention- explosive rockets- towers charged with static
electricity- netting
◍ What happens as seeds mature inside the grape?.
Answer: Turn yellow to dark brown
◍ how can downy mildew be managed?.
Answer: sprays made from copper salts (Bordeaux mixture) (protection from
these copper sprays only lasts until 20 mm of rain has fallen)- other
, fungicides- good drainage and an open canopy that dries quickly
◍ According to biodynamic practices when is a good time to plant vines?.
Answer: When the moon is descending (winter mood)
◍ What is a management strategy for mammals?.
Answer: Fences buried deep in the ground to prevent burrowing
◍ canopy elements.
Answer: lateral shootstendrilsleavesinflorencesbunchesgrapes (pulp, skin
seeds)
◍ Vitisberlandieri.
Answer: chalky slopes in S US and Mexico- vigorous, deep rooting- high
resistance to chlorosis- often hybridised with riparia and rupestris-
lime-resistant rootstocks
◍ Regional climateclassification (bytemperature).
Answer: Cool,Moderate,Warm,Hot
◍ Waterholdingcapacity of soil.
Answer: Soil structure and humus content
◍ Fungi.
Answer: no carbohydrate cell wall, no chlorophyll- powdery mildew- downy
mildew- botrytis- phomopsis- black rot- eutypa
◍ Vitis labrusca.
Answer: NE US- strongly flavoured, dark berries- foxy aroma- common
parent in American hybrids, e.g.Concord- not often used as parent for
rootstock
◍ Disadvantagesof slopingvineyards.
Answer: Increased risk of erosion;Higher costs (manual), e.g. the
MoselValley
◍ What changes take place during berry formation?.
Answer: Hard green grapes grow in sizeTartaric and Malic acids
accumulateSome aroma compounds and precursors develop
PAPER 2026 QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS GRADED A+
◍ Advantages of precision viticulture.
Answer: targeted interventions carried out precisely reduced environmental
impact
◍ Why do regions with seasonal temperature differences have an advantage
for budburst?.
Answer: Rapidly increasing temperatures in the spring results in more
uniform budburst which means uniform ripeness.
◍ Vineyard design -planting density.
Answer: 1 hectare (100m x 100m) : 2.47 acres# rows x # vines/rowhigh
density not = high qualitybalance between root and canopy- vigour- planting
density- soil fertility- training- poor soil -> high density- low water -> low
density- fertile soil -> low densityrow alleys not < heights of row canopy15
shoots per metrewider alleys -> greater plant distance
◍ Amerine &Winkler'sCategoryIII.
Answer: 1650 < GDD < 1930 (3001 - 3500)Paso Robles, Lake, McDowell
Valley, San Benitocf. Barossa Valley, Stellenbosch, S Rhone, ClareValley,
Lower Hunter, Rioja, Piedmontpremium full-bodied reds (zinfandel,
grenache,barbera, tempranillo, syrah, gamay, carignan,ruby cabernet)
◍ EU Region C2.
Answer: Languedoc-Roussillon, Provence, NSpain ex Atlantic coast,
Italy;Min 8.5% abv;Max 2% to 13% enrichment;-1 - +2.5 g/L acid
adjustment
◍ what are some post-fermentation adjustments that can be made?.
, Answer: removal of alcohol (reverse osmosis, spinning cone - also removes
VA)- color adjustment
◍ What is a head trained vine?.
Answer: One with relatively little permanent.
◍ what is laccase? where is it found?.
Answer: an enzyme capable of oxidising a number of components in grape
must and wine (resistant to SO2)- in noble rot-infected must
◍ What factors influence between row spacing?.
Answer: Needs to be far enough so one row doesn't shade the
other.Vigorous vines trained high and trellised need more spacing.Also,
needs to be wide enough for required machinery to fit.
◍ What is the impact of windless nights on frost?.
Answer: Allows a layer of freezing cold air to develop above the surface of
the soil
◍ What is a bunch of grapes?.
Answer: Fertilized inflorescence
◍ What is flowering?.
Answer: The opening of the individual flowers within an inflorescence?
◍ what is the typical fermentation temperature range for rose production?.
Answer: 12-16C
◍ Hail.
Answer: Burgundy, Mendoza, PiedmontIrregular pathwayRip and strip
leaves & bunchesPrevention- explosive rockets- towers charged with static
electricity- netting
◍ What happens as seeds mature inside the grape?.
Answer: Turn yellow to dark brown
◍ how can downy mildew be managed?.
Answer: sprays made from copper salts (Bordeaux mixture) (protection from
these copper sprays only lasts until 20 mm of rain has fallen)- other
, fungicides- good drainage and an open canopy that dries quickly
◍ According to biodynamic practices when is a good time to plant vines?.
Answer: When the moon is descending (winter mood)
◍ What is a management strategy for mammals?.
Answer: Fences buried deep in the ground to prevent burrowing
◍ canopy elements.
Answer: lateral shootstendrilsleavesinflorencesbunchesgrapes (pulp, skin
seeds)
◍ Vitisberlandieri.
Answer: chalky slopes in S US and Mexico- vigorous, deep rooting- high
resistance to chlorosis- often hybridised with riparia and rupestris-
lime-resistant rootstocks
◍ Regional climateclassification (bytemperature).
Answer: Cool,Moderate,Warm,Hot
◍ Waterholdingcapacity of soil.
Answer: Soil structure and humus content
◍ Fungi.
Answer: no carbohydrate cell wall, no chlorophyll- powdery mildew- downy
mildew- botrytis- phomopsis- black rot- eutypa
◍ Vitis labrusca.
Answer: NE US- strongly flavoured, dark berries- foxy aroma- common
parent in American hybrids, e.g.Concord- not often used as parent for
rootstock
◍ Disadvantagesof slopingvineyards.
Answer: Increased risk of erosion;Higher costs (manual), e.g. the
MoselValley
◍ What changes take place during berry formation?.
Answer: Hard green grapes grow in sizeTartaric and Malic acids
accumulateSome aroma compounds and precursors develop
