WSET - Chapter 3 - Viniculture

Question 1

Name the five things a vine needs to be healthy and ripen.

Answer 1

Carbon dioxide, water, heat, sunlight, nutrients

Question 2

How is climate different than weather?

Answer 2

Climate describes the weather conditions we may expect in a year, while weather is what happens in a typical day

Question 3

Name three elements that control the climate of a location

Answer 3

Latitude, altitude and oceans

Question 4

How do ocean currents and breezes affect climate in wine growing regions?

Answer 4

In all cases, except the west coast of France, ocean breezes are cooling. However in Bordeaux the ocean breeze is warming.

Question 5

What happens to a grape if the climate is not hot enough to tipen it?

Answer 5

It tastes sour, astringent, bitter and lacking in fruit flavors

Question 6

What happens to a grape iff the climate is too hot?

Answer 6

They become unpleasantly jammy low acid, raisiny or generally taste bland

Question 7

Wines grown in a hot climate are what with respect to alcohol, body, tannis and acidity?

Answer 7

High alcohol, full body, high tannins, less acidity

Question 8

Wines grown in a cool climate are what with respect to alcohol, body, tannis and acidity?

Answer 8

Low alcohol, light body, less tannis, more acid

Question 9

What time during the year does weather have the biggest impact on grapes?

Answer 9

The growing season

Question 10

Name four types of extreme weather that impact grapes.

Answer 10

Hail (damages skin, subject to rot); extreme cold or hot; floods and late frosts

Question 11

How do winemakers handle vintage variations?

Answer 11

They rely on blending to keep style similar.

Question 12

Sunlight allows grapes to combine ____ and ____ into ______

Answer 12

Carbon dioxide, water, sugar

Question 13

What chemical species is fermented into alcohol?

Answer 13

Sugar

Question 14

In high latitude regions (far away from the Equator) what do you do to vineyard to ensure there is enoug sunlight?

Answer 14

Plant on a slope or near a river that reflects sunlight

Question 15

Too much water does what to grapes (like six things)

Answer 15

Bloated, high yields, less body, alochol and flavor. Generally diluted falvors. It can also lead to rot if there is dampness.

Question 16

For the highest quality wine, how do you manage water?

Answer 16

Just enough water to ensure sugar production, but no more.

Question 17

In Europe why are vines planted on steep slopes or soils like gravel or chalk?

Answer 17

They help water drain away and can contribute warmth (e.g. gravel)

Question 18

Most of the worlds vineyards are found at what position in the globe?

Answer 18

In temperature zones between 30 and 50 degrees

Question 19

What are the main factors affecting warmth of vines? What are secondary factors?

Answer 19

Climate and weather. In addition soils can reflect heat or retain it. Dry stony soils are warmer than wet clay.

Question 20

Name three effects on climate

Answer 20

Latitude, altitude and ocean

Question 21

What vineyard activities affect the quality and style of the grape?

Answer 21

Generally its management of the yield and care in the vineyard (e.g. watering, pruning, ….)

Question 22

Name the four parts of a grape

Answer 22

Stalk, skin, pulp and sees

Question 23

Give some examples of pests and diseases in a vineyard

Answer 23

Animals can eat grapes; fungus like mildew or rot damage the green parts of a vine; long-term fungal bacteria or viral diseases can affect the health of vines lowering yields and inhibiting ripening.

Question 24

What are the advantages and disadvantages of machine harvesting

Answer 24

It is efficient and cheap; it can only be done on flat sites. It yields exclusively whole bunch grapes.

Question 25

What is the most important part of the winemaking process?

Answer 25

Fermentation

Question 26

Describe the five stages in making white wine, indicating when skins are removed.

Answer 26

Crushing, pressing (remove skins), fermentation, maturation and bottling.

Question 27

What is must?

Answer 27

The mix of grape juice and yeast that you have prior to fermentation.

Question 28

What is the temperature of white wine fermentation?

Answer 28

Low temperatures, 12-22 C

Question 29

How long does fermentation of white wine take?

Answer 29

Two to four weeks

Question 30

Describe the five/six stages in making red wine.

Answer 30

Crushing, fermentation, pressing, maturation, blending, bottling

Question 31

What is the temperature of red wine fermentation?

Answer 31

20 - 32 C

Question 32

How long does fermentation of white wine take?

Answer 32

As little as five days or as much as two weeks

Question 33

What types of wines must be made from black grapes?

Answer 33

Rose and red

Question 34

What distinguishes rose wines during their production from white or red?

Answer 34

They are made like red wines in that they are fermented before pressing; however they are fermented at lower temperatures (12-22 C). They also have less grapeskin contact.

Question 35

T/F Red wines are fermented in oak barrels

Answer 35

False. This is not very practical

Question 36

Name three containers that can be used for maturation

Answer 36

Wooden vats, barrels or stainless steel tanks.

Question 37

By ______ in _______ the tannins in red wines can soften and can introduce flavors like toffee, fig, nut and coffee

Answer 37

maturing in oak barrels

Question 38

Under anerobic conditions what happens to the fruit flavors of young wines

Answer 38

They mature into vegetal and animal odors as well as cooked fruit

Question 39

What are factors that impact the cost of a wine? (three categories, list one or two items per)

Answer 39

Vineyard: cost of premium land, degree of mechanisation, yield management
WInery: Cost of barrels and ageing (ties up capital need space)
Packaging/Distribution: Exchange rates, pacakaging, transport, low-volume high service distribution is more expensive

Question 40

(True/False) White wines can only be made from white grapes.

Answer 40

False

Question 41

What do punching down and pumping over do to a red wine? When do they happen?

Answer 41

This happens during fermentation. Alcohol can help extract color, tannins and flavor from the skins so this is done to accelerate those processes.

Question 42

What is the difference between free run wines and press wine?

Answer 42

Free run is what comes of the mix of grapes and yeast after fermentation is complete. Press is what comes off when you press on the skins. This has a higher level of tannins and often is blended in.