3 The growing environment

Question 1

What can you tell about altitude?

Answer 1

• Vineyard planted one a slope = aspect
• South facing in north hemisphere = warmer
• In region more away from hemisphere angel of sun is lower in spring and autumn, this will effect angle of the slop for more concentration of solar light and warmth.
• In region more to equator they will plant early varieties on slopes away from the sun, to preserve acidity (Stellenbosh south facing vineyards for chardonnay)
• East facing slopes:
  
  • benefits from morning sun to heat up air and soil temperatures = extend hours of vine growth (cool climates)
  • Dry early up = less fungus
• West facing slopes
  
  • Afternoon sun = sunburn

(exception when cool sea breeze takes that away, Chili, California)

Question 2

What can you tell about latitude?

Answer 2

• More to equator is angle of sunshine les > more sunlight is concentrated
• More intense solar radiation to equator (less far) because its held back by H²O droplets, ozone and dust)
• Lower altitude means (by similar condition)
  
  • More sugar
  • Lower acidity
  • Riper aromas
  • More colour
  • Higher and riper tannins
• Day and night are more equal by equator. Lager days more aways from equator, longer photosynthesis

Question 3

Where is sunlight needed for

Answer 3

Not needed always full sun also a cloudy day is ok

1/3 of full sunshine is needed for photosynthesis

Question 4

What are the benefit by the proximity of water for the vineyard?

Answer 4

• Air above land warms quicker up and rises > air above water is cooler and taking his place = cool afternoon Seabreeze
• The opposite overnight land cools much quicker
  
  • Benefit in cool climates (Fingerlakes in NY > winter freez less damage)

Also against spring frost (Los Carneros > San Pablo Bay)

PN and chardonnay by the coast > afternoon sea breeze cabernet more land inwards to have more ripening

• Benefit in warm climates > more temperate
• Reflection on water more by high latitude (more angle)

Question 5

What is El Niño and El Nin

Answer 5

• El Niño = warm water at east pacific ocean start tot move eastwards past the equator to the Caribbean. > hurricanes and much rainfall in California and south America
  
  • El Niño brings Rainfall destroys pollination and fruit set

Excessive water availability > vegetive growth > hinder ripening

• El Niño brings warmer condition to Northern part of the west side of the pacific (Washington and Oregon) > drought and water stress
• El Niño brings warmer and drier conditions to Australia

Water stress and vine damage.

• Happens once 3-7 years
• El Niña = eastern pacific is cooler then normal
  • Cooler conditions in Washington and Oregon
  • Warmer and drier in California and south America
  • Cooler and wetter in Australia

Question 6

What is the effect of grape exposre to sunshine?

Answer 6

• reduces levels of methoxypyrazines
• increases development of anthocyanins (colour pigments)
• increases tannins in pre-véraison
• increases polymerization of tannins after véraison
• increases precursors and aroma compounds (terpens)
• increases respiration > lower malic acidity (metabolized)
• To much is dangerous for sunburn

Hot climates shaded by leaves

• In late spring and early summer successful fruit set and exposure of compound buds (better fruitfulness next year)