WSET Diploma D3 CANADA, Bordeaux & Beaujolais |2025-2026 LATEST
UPDATED| REAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | 100% RATED
CORRECT | 100% VERFIED | ALREADY GRADED A+
1. How much of Canada is under vine?: 12500 ha though it is the 2nd largest country by
area
2. In what provinces and regions are a majority of Canadian vineyards?: 98% from
Ontario and BC
Mostly all Niagara Peninsula and Okanagan Valley
Some in Nova Scotia and Quebec
3. Was there a prohibition in Canada?: Yes, 1916-1927 though wine was exempt and the
number of wineries actually increased.
4. What happened at the end of prohibition in Canada?: A number of provincial liquor
control boards were established.
5. What is Canada most well know for from a wine perspective?: World's largest
producer of icewine, though its only a small % of their production
6. When did icewine first appear in Canada? Is the term trademarked?: 1970s due to
an influx of German immigrants. Yes by Canadian Vintners Association 7. How has the use of
hybrids vs vinifera changed since wine regions were established in Canada?: Originally
planted with Lambrusca and hybrids that could withstand the harsh winters in the 19th century.
The 20th century brought French hybrids such as Vidal.
,2|Page
In the 1950s, the first Vinifera arrived, though this became the focus in the 1980s due to a
US/Canada trade agreement and introduction of an appellation (VQA) system in BC/Ont..
8. What did the US/Canada trade agreement in the 1980s do to the wine industry of
Canada?: It opened the domestic market to Canadian imports and removed subsidies from
Canadian growers, so growers had to refocus their efforts on higher quality Vinifera grapes.
Saw an increase in Bordeaux varieties such as Merlot and CF.
9. Typical climate of Canadian vineyards?: Extreme continental with summer temps > 30
C and winter temps < -20 C
10. Where are most vines in Canada planted and why?: Near lakes to moderate
temperatures and reduce the risk of freeze
11. How does planting near lakes moderate the climate in Canada?: Moderate extreme
continental climate
They retain summer heat/winter cold (airflow)
-delays growing season
-reduces diurnal range summer heat effect on grapes: more time to ripen (rain risk) winter cold:
delays bud break, reduce risk of spring frost
Cooling/warming air vaccum
-retains acidity
-protects from winter cold
,3|Page
Lake effect snow
effect on grapes: insulate the vines, protect from cold air and winter freeze effect on price: dont
need to bury Increase humidity
effect on grapes: rot and fungal disease can be an issue, thicker skin helps effect on wine: can be
tainted
effect on price: increase cost for spraying and canopy mgt
12. Which Canadian wine region has the highest risk of freeze? How do the mitigate it?:
Prince Edward County
They bury the vines which adds to production costs.
13. What is the main vineyard concern in BC?: drought, in the rain shadow of two
mountain ranges.
Drip irrigation is common.
14. What effect does planting in Northerly latitudes have on the growing season in
Canada?: Up to 51 degrees.
Shortens the growing season but lengthens the days in the growing season (more hours to
develop ripe fruit flavours).
15. Most common method for canopy management in Canada?: VSP, though some
experimenting with other systems: geneva double curtain, scott-henry, lyre 16. Main pests in
Canada?: moths, mealy ugs, leafhoppers, birds deer, bears 17. Why is the growing season
, 4|Page
shorter in Canada than many other wine regions? Why is Vintage variation greater?:
latitude (budbreak can be in May, harvest starting late August)
unpredictable harvest weather (rain, autumn frost)
18. Is sustainable wine growing common in Canada?: Is in BC, due to dry climate where
fungal disease is not a risk.
19. How do growers in Okanagan Valley and Similkameen Valley protect their vines
from cold?: Temps are not extreme there, so they will push soil around the graft unions.
20. What is a geotextile?: Fabric draped over in extreme cold locations like Prince Edward
Country to protect vines from freeze.
21. What % of Canadian vines are hybrids? What is the most important one? Why?:
40% in Ontario
Very small amounts in BC. (vine pull scheme in 80s)
Vidal is the most important as it is an important variety for icewine production as it withstands
harsh winters and has high acid, is slow to ripen and has thick skins. 22. Is Chaptalization used
in Canada?: Sometimes though prohibited for icewine.
23. Where is most icewine produced in Canada?: Ontario
24. Harvest temps for icewine grapes in Canada?: no higher than -8
25. Is hand or machine harvesting preferred for icewine grapes in Canada?:
Hand preferred but hard to find labor willing to work at night in extreme cold temps do
many are machine harvested.