Page 1 of 151
WSET Diploma D3 -10132020 Exam QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE JUST
RELEASED THIS YEAR
How have black grape varieties grown in the modern era in South Africa?
Doubled
now 45% of all plantings
How have exports grown in the modern era in South Africa?
22 M L exported in 1992
450 M L in 2017
What is the general climate of the Western Cape?
Warm Mediterranean with many mountain ranges cooled by proximity to the ocean with N
flowing Benguela.
Latitude of Western Cape?
33-35
Comparable to California
What is the Benguela Current?
N moving current coming from South Pole.
Lowers the water temps from Cape Town to Agulhas.
, Page 2 of 151
The difference in temperature between the land and sea causes fog and coastal breezes.
What is the Cape Doctor?
SE wind that blows in the spring and summer which extends the impact of the Benguela,
inhibits fungal disease and brings some rain to the S. coast.
Can damage leaves, affecting photosynthesis and ripeness and affecting flowering and fruitset,
reducing yields.
Is winter freeze a problem in Western Cape?
Lacks a consistent one which can cause issues with vines failing to rest over the winter.
Rain conditions of the Western Cape?
Mostly out of growing season but adequate.
Reduces in the N with less of an impact from the Benguela and protection from Coastal
Mountain ranges making irrigation or old vine dry farming essential.
Which lack of resource is the leading priority of the S. African wine industry?
Water availability
Where in the Western Cape is dry farming common?
Swartland
Top 3 grapes of the Western Cape?
CB
Colombard
CS
, Page 3 of 151
How do CB plantings in Western Cape compare to the Loire?
2x that of Loire
How has vineyard area increased/decreased since the modern era?
Down 7% in the last decade
What is Pinotage?
PN X Cinsault developed in 1925 by Perold at University of Stellenbosch. Used to be called
Hermitage.
Where did grape growing originate in South Africa?
European settlers, 360 years ago in the Cape of Good Hope.
When did the modern period begin in South Africa?
1994 with the end of Apartheid
Which geographical unit contains most of the vy area of S. Africa?
Western Cape
What style of wine dominated the South African wine industry before the start of the modern
era?
Industry dominated by the KWV which mandated highly productive varieties (CB, Col, Cinsault)
mostly for the Brandy industry. Less than 1/3 made it to beverage wine.
How much wine currently goes to the brandy industry in South Africa?
About 20%
Top planted grape variety in South Africa?
, Page 4 of 151
CB - 20%
Growing characteristics of Pinotage?
Budding
Sugar
Berry Size
Alcohol
Color
Early budding but spring frost not common in the warm parts of the cape where it is most
grown.
High sugar content in small berries producing high alcohol and deep color.
How have South African winemakers improved the reputation of Pinotage in recent times?
Water stressing vines and using cooler fermentation temps.
Main soils of the Western Cape?
Soils from Table Mountain sandstone - sandy with low nutrients and water retention.
Granite soils in the foothill slopes of mountains or hilly areas with good water retention which
works well with dry farming.
Shale with good nutrients and water retention leaving dry farming a possibility.
Most soils are high in acid and require lime adjustments to avoid reduction of yields.
Typical vine density of Western Cape?
Typical low density but larger vines with more fruit.
WSET Diploma D3 -10132020 Exam QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE JUST
RELEASED THIS YEAR
How have black grape varieties grown in the modern era in South Africa?
Doubled
now 45% of all plantings
How have exports grown in the modern era in South Africa?
22 M L exported in 1992
450 M L in 2017
What is the general climate of the Western Cape?
Warm Mediterranean with many mountain ranges cooled by proximity to the ocean with N
flowing Benguela.
Latitude of Western Cape?
33-35
Comparable to California
What is the Benguela Current?
N moving current coming from South Pole.
Lowers the water temps from Cape Town to Agulhas.
, Page 2 of 151
The difference in temperature between the land and sea causes fog and coastal breezes.
What is the Cape Doctor?
SE wind that blows in the spring and summer which extends the impact of the Benguela,
inhibits fungal disease and brings some rain to the S. coast.
Can damage leaves, affecting photosynthesis and ripeness and affecting flowering and fruitset,
reducing yields.
Is winter freeze a problem in Western Cape?
Lacks a consistent one which can cause issues with vines failing to rest over the winter.
Rain conditions of the Western Cape?
Mostly out of growing season but adequate.
Reduces in the N with less of an impact from the Benguela and protection from Coastal
Mountain ranges making irrigation or old vine dry farming essential.
Which lack of resource is the leading priority of the S. African wine industry?
Water availability
Where in the Western Cape is dry farming common?
Swartland
Top 3 grapes of the Western Cape?
CB
Colombard
CS
, Page 3 of 151
How do CB plantings in Western Cape compare to the Loire?
2x that of Loire
How has vineyard area increased/decreased since the modern era?
Down 7% in the last decade
What is Pinotage?
PN X Cinsault developed in 1925 by Perold at University of Stellenbosch. Used to be called
Hermitage.
Where did grape growing originate in South Africa?
European settlers, 360 years ago in the Cape of Good Hope.
When did the modern period begin in South Africa?
1994 with the end of Apartheid
Which geographical unit contains most of the vy area of S. Africa?
Western Cape
What style of wine dominated the South African wine industry before the start of the modern
era?
Industry dominated by the KWV which mandated highly productive varieties (CB, Col, Cinsault)
mostly for the Brandy industry. Less than 1/3 made it to beverage wine.
How much wine currently goes to the brandy industry in South Africa?
About 20%
Top planted grape variety in South Africa?
, Page 4 of 151
CB - 20%
Growing characteristics of Pinotage?
Budding
Sugar
Berry Size
Alcohol
Color
Early budding but spring frost not common in the warm parts of the cape where it is most
grown.
High sugar content in small berries producing high alcohol and deep color.
How have South African winemakers improved the reputation of Pinotage in recent times?
Water stressing vines and using cooler fermentation temps.
Main soils of the Western Cape?
Soils from Table Mountain sandstone - sandy with low nutrients and water retention.
Granite soils in the foothill slopes of mountains or hilly areas with good water retention which
works well with dry farming.
Shale with good nutrients and water retention leaving dry farming a possibility.
Most soils are high in acid and require lime adjustments to avoid reduction of yields.
Typical vine density of Western Cape?
Typical low density but larger vines with more fruit.
