WSET Risk Management & Mitigation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A winery in a frost-prone valley uses wind machines during spring bud break. What primary risk are they mitigating?
- Sunburn damage to young shoots
- Radiation frost killing tender buds (Correct answer)
- Excessive soil moisture retention
- Powdery mildew spread
Correct answer: Radiation frost killing tender buds
Wind machines mix warmer air above with cold air at ground level, preventing radiation frost from destroying vulnerable buds.
Question 2: Which vineyard management practice most directly reduces the risk of Botrytis cinerea bunch rot in humid climates?
- Increasing irrigation frequency
- Leaf removal to improve airflow around clusters (Correct answer)
- Planting cover crops between rows
- Raising the trellis wire height
Correct answer: Leaf removal to improve airflow around clusters
Leaf removal around the fruiting zone improves air circulation, reducing the humidity that promotes Botrytis development.
Question 3: A spirits producer discovers unexpected batch variation in a neutral grain spirit due to inconsistent fermentation temperatures. The best corrective risk control is:
- Blending all batches without testing
- Installing temperature-controlled fermentation vessels (Correct answer)
- Switching to a different grain source
- Reducing yeast pitch rates
Correct answer: Installing temperature-controlled fermentation vessels
Temperature-controlled fermentation vessels eliminate thermal variation, ensuring consistent yeast performance and spirit character.
Question 4: Under WSET study principles, which financial tool can a wine importer use to hedge against adverse currency exchange rate movements?
- Spot purchasing at time of shipment
- Forward currency contracts (Correct answer)
- Bonded warehouse storage
- FOB pricing agreements
Correct answer: Forward currency contracts
Forward currency contracts lock in an exchange rate for a future date, protecting the importer from unfavorable rate swings.
Question 5: Which certification system is specifically designed to help wineries demonstrate responsible environmental risk management and sustainability practices?
- ISO 9001 Quality Management
- Certified B Corporation or equivalent sustainable wine certification (Correct answer)
- HACCP food safety plan only
- PDO/PGI geographical indication
Correct answer: Certified B Corporation or equivalent sustainable wine certification
Sustainable wine certifications (such as Certified B Corp, LIVE, or Sustainable Winegrowing) formally recognize environmental risk management efforts.
Question 6: A distillery stores large volumes of high-strength spirit. Which risk is MOST unique to this operation compared to a winery?
- Risk of TCA cork taint
- Fire and explosion hazard from flammable vapors (Correct answer)
- Risk of malolactic fermentation in tank
- Over-extraction of tannins
Correct answer: Fire and explosion hazard from flammable vapors
High-proof alcohol is highly flammable and can produce explosive vapors, making fire and explosion a primary hazard in distilleries.
Question 7: When assessing reputational risk, a wine producer should prioritize which action if a product recall is necessary?
- Delay public announcement until all stock is retrieved
- Issue a transparent, timely communication to trade and consumers (Correct answer)
- Offer discounts on future purchases before acknowledging the issue
- Redirect media queries to a third-party distributor
Correct answer: Issue a transparent, timely communication to trade and consumers
Transparent, prompt communication during a recall limits reputational damage by demonstrating accountability and consumer protection.
WSET Risk Management & Mitigation 2
A winery in a frost-prone valley uses wind machines during spring bud break.
What primary risk are they mitigating?