Æ WSET Diploma D1 — Exam Q&A
(Explained)
< Grapevine Basics
Q1. What are the most important North American grape species?
Answer:
● Vitis labrusca
● Vitis riparia
● Vitis berlandieri
● Vitis rupestris
Explanation:
These species are primarily used in rootstocks due to resistance to pests like phylloxera
and adaptability to different soils.
Q2. What are the four main sections of a grapevine?
Answer:
● Main shoots
● One-year-old wood
● Permanent wood
● Roots
Explanation:
Each part has a specific role: shoots = growth, wood = structure/storage, roots = uptake.
Q3. What comprises the canopy of a vine?
Answer:
● Main shoots + stems, buds, leaves, lateral shoots, tendrils, inflorescences/grape
bunches
Explanation:
The canopy is critical for photosynthesis and fruit development.
Q4. When and where do main shoots grow?
Page 1 of 126 3/21/2026, 6:54:41 PM
, Answer:
● Grow in spring
● From buds formed in the previous year
Explanation:
This is key to understanding seasonal growth cycles.
Q5. Where are carbohydrates stored in a vine?
Answer:
● Stems
● Trunks
● Roots
Explanation:
These reserves support early growth after dormancy.
Q6. What does “lignify” mean?
Answer:
● Green shoots become woody and rigid (canes)
Explanation:
Important for winter survival and pruning decisions.
Q7. Where do buds form?
Answer:
● Between leaf stalk (petiole) and stem
Explanation:
This location is essential for predicting future shoot growth.
Q8. What are the two types of buds?
Answer:
● Compound buds → grow next season
Page 2 of 126 3/21/2026, 6:54:41 PM
, ● Prompt buds → grow same season (lateral shoots)
Explanation:
Compound buds determine next year’s yield.
Q9. What is the function of lateral shoots?
Answer:
● Backup growth if main shoot damaged
● Provide extra photosynthesis
● Can be undesirable if shading fruit
Explanation:
Balance is key in canopy management.
Q10. What is “second crop”?
Answer:
● Inflorescences produced on lateral shoots
Explanation:
Usually lower quality → often removed.
Q11. What is green harvesting?
Answer:
● Removal of second crop during summer
Explanation:
Improves quality by reducing yield.
& Vine Structure & Roots
Q12. What is one-year-old wood?
Answer:
● Previous season’s shoots (canes/spurs)
Page 3 of 126 3/21/2026, 6:54:41 PM
, Explanation:
Supports fruit-bearing buds.
Q13. What is permanent wood?
Answer:
● Older woody parts (e.g., trunk)
Explanation:
Provides structure and storage.
Q14. Where are most roots found?
Answer:
● Top 50 cm of soil
Explanation:
Important for water and nutrient uptake.
l Growth Cycle
Q15. When is budburst?
Answer:
● March–April
Explanation:
Triggered by temperature (>10°C).
Q16. When is flowering and fruit set?
Answer:
● May–June
Explanation:
Critical stage for yield formation.
Page 4 of 126 3/21/2026, 6:54:41 PM
(Explained)
< Grapevine Basics
Q1. What are the most important North American grape species?
Answer:
● Vitis labrusca
● Vitis riparia
● Vitis berlandieri
● Vitis rupestris
Explanation:
These species are primarily used in rootstocks due to resistance to pests like phylloxera
and adaptability to different soils.
Q2. What are the four main sections of a grapevine?
Answer:
● Main shoots
● One-year-old wood
● Permanent wood
● Roots
Explanation:
Each part has a specific role: shoots = growth, wood = structure/storage, roots = uptake.
Q3. What comprises the canopy of a vine?
Answer:
● Main shoots + stems, buds, leaves, lateral shoots, tendrils, inflorescences/grape
bunches
Explanation:
The canopy is critical for photosynthesis and fruit development.
Q4. When and where do main shoots grow?
Page 1 of 126 3/21/2026, 6:54:41 PM
, Answer:
● Grow in spring
● From buds formed in the previous year
Explanation:
This is key to understanding seasonal growth cycles.
Q5. Where are carbohydrates stored in a vine?
Answer:
● Stems
● Trunks
● Roots
Explanation:
These reserves support early growth after dormancy.
Q6. What does “lignify” mean?
Answer:
● Green shoots become woody and rigid (canes)
Explanation:
Important for winter survival and pruning decisions.
Q7. Where do buds form?
Answer:
● Between leaf stalk (petiole) and stem
Explanation:
This location is essential for predicting future shoot growth.
Q8. What are the two types of buds?
Answer:
● Compound buds → grow next season
Page 2 of 126 3/21/2026, 6:54:41 PM
, ● Prompt buds → grow same season (lateral shoots)
Explanation:
Compound buds determine next year’s yield.
Q9. What is the function of lateral shoots?
Answer:
● Backup growth if main shoot damaged
● Provide extra photosynthesis
● Can be undesirable if shading fruit
Explanation:
Balance is key in canopy management.
Q10. What is “second crop”?
Answer:
● Inflorescences produced on lateral shoots
Explanation:
Usually lower quality → often removed.
Q11. What is green harvesting?
Answer:
● Removal of second crop during summer
Explanation:
Improves quality by reducing yield.
& Vine Structure & Roots
Q12. What is one-year-old wood?
Answer:
● Previous season’s shoots (canes/spurs)
Page 3 of 126 3/21/2026, 6:54:41 PM
, Explanation:
Supports fruit-bearing buds.
Q13. What is permanent wood?
Answer:
● Older woody parts (e.g., trunk)
Explanation:
Provides structure and storage.
Q14. Where are most roots found?
Answer:
● Top 50 cm of soil
Explanation:
Important for water and nutrient uptake.
l Growth Cycle
Q15. When is budburst?
Answer:
● March–April
Explanation:
Triggered by temperature (>10°C).
Q16. When is flowering and fruit set?
Answer:
● May–June
Explanation:
Critical stage for yield formation.
Page 4 of 126 3/21/2026, 6:54:41 PM
