WSET DIPLOMA D1 EXAM 2026 UPDATE
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED
ANSWERS ALREADY GRADED A+(BRAND
NEW VISION)
why do vines need phosphorous? what are the effects of too little? - ANS--
important for photosynthesis
- low: poorly developed root systems, reduced vine growth, lower
yield
why do vines need calcium? what are the effects of too little? - ANS--
needed for structure of cells, photosynthesis
- low: poor fruit set
why do vines need magnesium? what are the effects of too much/too
little? - ANS-- found in chlorophyll
- low: reduced yield, poor ripening
how does soil pH affect nutrient availability? - ANS-Different nutrients
become more or less available at different pH levels. For example,
iron is poorly available in soils with high pH (e.g. soils with a high
proportion of calcium carbonate such as limestone) and this can
cause chlorosis.
define climate - ANS-the annual pattern of temperature, sunlight,
rainfall, humidity and wind averaged out over several years (30
years in the timescale generally agreed)
define the GDD model - ANS-- For Celsius, subtract 10 (the
temperature in Celsius below which vines cannot grow) from the
average mean temperature of a month in the growing season. For
Fahrenheit, subtract 50 (the temperature in Fahrenheit below
,which vines cannot grow) from the average mean temperature (in
Fahrenheit) of a month in the growing season.
- multiply this by the number of days in that month
- make the same calculation for each month in the growing
season (April to October in the Northern Hemisphere, October to
April in the Southern Hemisphere) and add together the totals to
get the GDD. (Any months with a negative value would not be
counted.)
define maritime climate & give an example - ANS-low annual
differences between summer and winter temperatures. Rainfall is
also relatively evenly spread throughout the year. An example of
a maritime region is Bordeaux.
define mediterranean climate & give an example - ANS-low annual
differences between summer and winter temperatures. The
annual rainfall tends to fall in the winter months, giving dry
summers. Examples include Napa Valley and Coonawarra.
define continental climate & give an example - ANS-more extreme
differences between summer and winter temperatures. They
often have short summers and cold winters with temperatures
rapidly changing in the spring and autumn. Examples include
Burgundy and Alsace.
define cool climate - ANS-regions with an average GST of 16.5°C
(62°F) or below
define moderate climate - ANS-regions with an average GST of 16.5-
18.5°C (62-65°F)
define warm climate - ANS-regions with an average GST of 18.5-
21°C (65-70°F)
,define hot climate - ANS-regions with an average GST in excess of
21°C (70°F)
define continentality - ANS-a measure of the difference between the
annual mean temperatures of the hottest and coldest months
define the GST model - ANS-(Growing Season Temperature)
This model uses the mean temperature of the whole growing
season and, again, these temperatures are grouped into climatic
bands ranging from cool to hot. It is very closely correlated to
GDD and is easier to calculate.
define weather - ANS-annual variation that happens relative to the
climatic average
what is integrated pest management also known as? - ANS-lutte
raisonee
define conventional viticulture - ANS-- mechanization
- chemical inputs
- irrigation
- clonal selection
- typically monoculture
define sustainable viticulture - ANS-- promote natural ecosystems
- maintain biodiversity
- manage waste
- minimize chemical inputs
- minimize energy use
- reduce impact of viticulture on environment
, define organic viticulture - ANS-- improve soil and range of
microbes/animals
- reject use of synthetic fertilizers, fungicides, herbicides, and
pesticides
- compost
- cover crops
- natural fertilizers
- islands of biodiversity
- sulfur & copper sulfate can be used
what is the IFOAM? - ANS-- International Federation of Organic
Agriculture Movements
- sets standards for all organic certification bodies
what % of European vineyards are farmed organically? what % of organic
viticulture takes place in Europe? - ANS-10%
85%
what are the advantages of organic viticulture? what are the
disadvantages? - ANS-- health of vines & soil, disease resistance,
reduction of chemical treatments, cost savings on synthetic chemicals
- lower Y, significantly lower Y in difficult years, more reliance on copper
sprays, cost and time spent on certification
whose work is biodynamic viticulture based on? - ANS-Rudolf Steiner &
Maria Thun
what is Preparation 500? - ANS-Horn Manure: cow manure in put into a
cow's horn & buried, then dug up and the contents are "dynamised"
(stirring the contents of the horn into water (creating a vortex and then
reversing it) so that the water memorizes the power of the preparation),
then sprayed onto the soil as a homeopathic compost
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED
ANSWERS ALREADY GRADED A+(BRAND
NEW VISION)
why do vines need phosphorous? what are the effects of too little? - ANS--
important for photosynthesis
- low: poorly developed root systems, reduced vine growth, lower
yield
why do vines need calcium? what are the effects of too little? - ANS--
needed for structure of cells, photosynthesis
- low: poor fruit set
why do vines need magnesium? what are the effects of too much/too
little? - ANS-- found in chlorophyll
- low: reduced yield, poor ripening
how does soil pH affect nutrient availability? - ANS-Different nutrients
become more or less available at different pH levels. For example,
iron is poorly available in soils with high pH (e.g. soils with a high
proportion of calcium carbonate such as limestone) and this can
cause chlorosis.
define climate - ANS-the annual pattern of temperature, sunlight,
rainfall, humidity and wind averaged out over several years (30
years in the timescale generally agreed)
define the GDD model - ANS-- For Celsius, subtract 10 (the
temperature in Celsius below which vines cannot grow) from the
average mean temperature of a month in the growing season. For
Fahrenheit, subtract 50 (the temperature in Fahrenheit below
,which vines cannot grow) from the average mean temperature (in
Fahrenheit) of a month in the growing season.
- multiply this by the number of days in that month
- make the same calculation for each month in the growing
season (April to October in the Northern Hemisphere, October to
April in the Southern Hemisphere) and add together the totals to
get the GDD. (Any months with a negative value would not be
counted.)
define maritime climate & give an example - ANS-low annual
differences between summer and winter temperatures. Rainfall is
also relatively evenly spread throughout the year. An example of
a maritime region is Bordeaux.
define mediterranean climate & give an example - ANS-low annual
differences between summer and winter temperatures. The
annual rainfall tends to fall in the winter months, giving dry
summers. Examples include Napa Valley and Coonawarra.
define continental climate & give an example - ANS-more extreme
differences between summer and winter temperatures. They
often have short summers and cold winters with temperatures
rapidly changing in the spring and autumn. Examples include
Burgundy and Alsace.
define cool climate - ANS-regions with an average GST of 16.5°C
(62°F) or below
define moderate climate - ANS-regions with an average GST of 16.5-
18.5°C (62-65°F)
define warm climate - ANS-regions with an average GST of 18.5-
21°C (65-70°F)
,define hot climate - ANS-regions with an average GST in excess of
21°C (70°F)
define continentality - ANS-a measure of the difference between the
annual mean temperatures of the hottest and coldest months
define the GST model - ANS-(Growing Season Temperature)
This model uses the mean temperature of the whole growing
season and, again, these temperatures are grouped into climatic
bands ranging from cool to hot. It is very closely correlated to
GDD and is easier to calculate.
define weather - ANS-annual variation that happens relative to the
climatic average
what is integrated pest management also known as? - ANS-lutte
raisonee
define conventional viticulture - ANS-- mechanization
- chemical inputs
- irrigation
- clonal selection
- typically monoculture
define sustainable viticulture - ANS-- promote natural ecosystems
- maintain biodiversity
- manage waste
- minimize chemical inputs
- minimize energy use
- reduce impact of viticulture on environment
, define organic viticulture - ANS-- improve soil and range of
microbes/animals
- reject use of synthetic fertilizers, fungicides, herbicides, and
pesticides
- compost
- cover crops
- natural fertilizers
- islands of biodiversity
- sulfur & copper sulfate can be used
what is the IFOAM? - ANS-- International Federation of Organic
Agriculture Movements
- sets standards for all organic certification bodies
what % of European vineyards are farmed organically? what % of organic
viticulture takes place in Europe? - ANS-10%
85%
what are the advantages of organic viticulture? what are the
disadvantages? - ANS-- health of vines & soil, disease resistance,
reduction of chemical treatments, cost savings on synthetic chemicals
- lower Y, significantly lower Y in difficult years, more reliance on copper
sprays, cost and time spent on certification
whose work is biodynamic viticulture based on? - ANS-Rudolf Steiner &
Maria Thun
what is Preparation 500? - ANS-Horn Manure: cow manure in put into a
cow's horn & buried, then dug up and the contents are "dynamised"
(stirring the contents of the horn into water (creating a vortex and then
reversing it) so that the water memorizes the power of the preparation),
then sprayed onto the soil as a homeopathic compost
