WSET LEVEL 2: FACTORS AFFECTING
WINE STYLE, QUALITY, AND PRICE
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
how can vines in regions far away from the equator receive more sunlight? - Answer-by
being planted on slopes that angle towards the sun or above rivers that reflect sunlight
where can water come from? - Answer-the rain, from the ground, or from irrigation
what can too much water do? - Answer-can cause grapes to become bloated
what happens if grapes become bloated? - Answer-bigger crops, but the flavors and
sugars will be diluted and the wine will have less alcohol, body, and flavor
where are the best vineyards in areas where rainfall is high? - Answer-on slopes or
soils, such as gravel or chalk, which drain water away quickly
what is essential in regions where there is insufficient rainfall? - Answer-irrigation
how much water is needed for the highest quality wines? - Answer-just enough to
sustain sugar production
what can be done to increase the size of the crop (for cheaper wines)? - Answer-
irrigation
what can too much rain cause? - Answer-growth of rot
what is warmth needed for and how much warmth is needed? - Answer-for the
production of sugars - but not too little or too much
what happens if the weather is too cool or too hot? - Answer-sugar production slows
and can stop
how can a vine keep itself cool and where is this likely to occur? - Answer-by
evaporating water into its leaves; hot, dry conditions
how can a vine keep itself cool in extreme cases? - Answer-by shutting down its leaves
to prevent the plant drying out, so, although there is warmth and heat, no sugar is
produced
what are the main factors affecting warmth? - Answer-climate and weather
how much nutrients does the vine need? - Answer-tiny amounts in the right balance
, what are the nutrients provided by? - Answer-the soil
what are the 2 main factors that affect the quality and style of the raw grape material? -
Answer-the degree of care that is taken in the vineyard and the control of yields
what are the vineyard activities that can help all grapes ripen fully, at the same time -
Answer-careful pruning, controlling the number of bunches of grapes on each vine, and
careful positioning of the leaves to increase the lower temperature of the grape bunches
or their degree of exposure to sunlight
what is the cost of labor for these vineyard activities, and how does this affect the wine?
- Answer-uses expensive labor which increases the cost and quality of the wine
what are the other options for vine maintenance and where is this suitable? - Answer-
minimal pruning and maximum mechanization (only appropriate in regions with suitably
large, flat vineyards
what is the affect of lower yields? - Answer-generally riper grapes with more
concentrated flavors, but takes time; because the crop is smaller, it will cost more to
grow and thus, sell at a higher price
how would you maximize yields? - Answer-irrigation to fill the grapes with water
where do most wine yields lie? - Answer-between the two extremes (low yields and high
yields)
what can animal pests do? - Answer-damage shoots, buds, leaves, and may eat the
grapes
what can fungal diseases (mildew or rot) do? - Answer-can damage green parts of the
vine as well as leading to spoiled grapes
what are long-term diseases typically caused by? - Answer-fungi, bacteria, or viruses
what can long-term diseases do? - Answer-can affect the health of the vine, reducing
yields and inhibiting ripening. Some eventually lead to the death of the vine
when does the harvest occur? - Answer-once the grape has ripened
how is harvesting generally done in larger vineyards on flatter sites? - Answer-machines
which shake the grapes off their stems
when must the grapes be hand-harvested? - Answer-- where whole bunches of grapes
are needed
- steep sites with difficult access
WINE STYLE, QUALITY, AND PRICE
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
how can vines in regions far away from the equator receive more sunlight? - Answer-by
being planted on slopes that angle towards the sun or above rivers that reflect sunlight
where can water come from? - Answer-the rain, from the ground, or from irrigation
what can too much water do? - Answer-can cause grapes to become bloated
what happens if grapes become bloated? - Answer-bigger crops, but the flavors and
sugars will be diluted and the wine will have less alcohol, body, and flavor
where are the best vineyards in areas where rainfall is high? - Answer-on slopes or
soils, such as gravel or chalk, which drain water away quickly
what is essential in regions where there is insufficient rainfall? - Answer-irrigation
how much water is needed for the highest quality wines? - Answer-just enough to
sustain sugar production
what can be done to increase the size of the crop (for cheaper wines)? - Answer-
irrigation
what can too much rain cause? - Answer-growth of rot
what is warmth needed for and how much warmth is needed? - Answer-for the
production of sugars - but not too little or too much
what happens if the weather is too cool or too hot? - Answer-sugar production slows
and can stop
how can a vine keep itself cool and where is this likely to occur? - Answer-by
evaporating water into its leaves; hot, dry conditions
how can a vine keep itself cool in extreme cases? - Answer-by shutting down its leaves
to prevent the plant drying out, so, although there is warmth and heat, no sugar is
produced
what are the main factors affecting warmth? - Answer-climate and weather
how much nutrients does the vine need? - Answer-tiny amounts in the right balance
, what are the nutrients provided by? - Answer-the soil
what are the 2 main factors that affect the quality and style of the raw grape material? -
Answer-the degree of care that is taken in the vineyard and the control of yields
what are the vineyard activities that can help all grapes ripen fully, at the same time -
Answer-careful pruning, controlling the number of bunches of grapes on each vine, and
careful positioning of the leaves to increase the lower temperature of the grape bunches
or their degree of exposure to sunlight
what is the cost of labor for these vineyard activities, and how does this affect the wine?
- Answer-uses expensive labor which increases the cost and quality of the wine
what are the other options for vine maintenance and where is this suitable? - Answer-
minimal pruning and maximum mechanization (only appropriate in regions with suitably
large, flat vineyards
what is the affect of lower yields? - Answer-generally riper grapes with more
concentrated flavors, but takes time; because the crop is smaller, it will cost more to
grow and thus, sell at a higher price
how would you maximize yields? - Answer-irrigation to fill the grapes with water
where do most wine yields lie? - Answer-between the two extremes (low yields and high
yields)
what can animal pests do? - Answer-damage shoots, buds, leaves, and may eat the
grapes
what can fungal diseases (mildew or rot) do? - Answer-can damage green parts of the
vine as well as leading to spoiled grapes
what are long-term diseases typically caused by? - Answer-fungi, bacteria, or viruses
what can long-term diseases do? - Answer-can affect the health of the vine, reducing
yields and inhibiting ripening. Some eventually lead to the death of the vine
when does the harvest occur? - Answer-once the grape has ripened
how is harvesting generally done in larger vineyards on flatter sites? - Answer-machines
which shake the grapes off their stems
when must the grapes be hand-harvested? - Answer-- where whole bunches of grapes
are needed
- steep sites with difficult access
