3. The Growing Environment

Question 1

What’s a mediterranean climate?

Answer 1

• Low annual differences between summer and winter temperatures
• Annual rainfall happens in winter months, with dry summers
• Ex. Napa Valley + Coonawarra

Question 2

What is continentality?

Answer 2

A measure of the difference between the annual mean temperatures of the hottest and coldest months (usually inland = more continental)

Question 3

How do winds affect grapes?

Answer 3

Reduce stagnant air, influence temperature, increase evapotranspiration rates

Question 4

How does altitude affect grapes?

Answer 4

• Temperature falls ~0.6 degrees C every 100m increase
• Many of the best vineyard sites in high latitude areas (Burgundy, Loire) are at low altitudes
• Sunshine and UV radiation are greater at higher altitudes
• High altitude sites have high diurnal range

Question 5

What is the definition of weather?

Answer 5

The annual variation that happens relative to the climatic change

Question 6

What is albariza?

Answer 6

A clay soil that has good water retention and releases water slowly to the vines – also forms a crust when dry, reducing evaporation (famous in Jerez, Spain)

Question 7

What are the temperature ranges for cool, moderate, warm and hot climates?

Answer 7

• Cool: 16.5 or less
• Moderate: 16.5-18.5
• Warm: 18.5-21
• Hot: 21+

Question 8

What is an evapotranspiration rate?

Answer 8

The amount of transpiration from the vine combined with the evaporation of water from soil surface (high ET rate means that more water is required to meet vine’s requirements)

Question 9

What is the definition of climate?

Answer 9

The annual pattern of temperature, sunlight, rainfall, humidity & wind averaged out over several years (30)

Question 10

What is soil made up of?

Answer 10

Geological sediment, organic remains (humus) and pores in between that contain water & air

Question 11

How does latitude affect grapes?

Answer 11

Grapes grown at lower latitudes have higher levels of sugar, lower levels of avid, riper aromas and higher (but riper) tannins with more colour intensity

Question 12

What are some climate classifications? (5)

Answer 12

• Growing Degree Days
• The Huglin Index
• Mean Temperature of the Warmest Month
• Growing Season Temperature
• Koppen’s Classification

Question 13

What is humus?

Answer 13

Organic matter in the soil formed by decomposition of plant material by microbes & earthworms

Question 14

What’s a continental climate?

Answer 14

• More extreme differences between summer and winter temperatures
• Short summers, cold winters
• Ex. Burgundy + Alsace

Question 15

How do characteristics of the soil affect the grapes?

Answer 15

• Soils that drain freely warm up more quickly than damp soils
• Light coloured soils reflect some energy from solar radiation
• Dark coloured soil (and stony soils) absorb more energy and re-radiate it when temperatures are cooler

Question 16

How do slopes/aspects affect grapes?

Answer 16

• Slopes facing east benefit from morning sunshine that can heat up atmosphere (extends ripening hours, dries out canopy)
• Slopes facing west may be too hot in afternoon (can be alleviated in areas with coastal breezes)

Question 17

What are some effects sunshine has on the vines/grapes?

Answer 17

• Enhances anthocyanin (black colour pigment)
• Reduces methoxypyrazines
• Increases favourable aroma precursors/compounds
• Warms grapes, therefore increases rate at which magic acid is used up in respiration
• Can cause sunburn (hazard!)

Question 18

How does proximity to water affect grapes?

Answer 18

• Water heats up and cools down slower than dry land
• During the day, water and air above a body of water remain cool and lowers temperature of local area
• Air above dry land heats up more quickly and this warm air rises
• Cool air from above water is drawn to land to replace the warm air as it rises, resulting in cool, humid afternoon breezes
• Opposite happens at night

Question 19

What is loam?

Answer 19

A soil that has moderate proportions of sand, silt & clay

Question 20

How do mist/fog/clouds affect grapes?

Answer 20

Can limit sunlight (therefore photosynthesis), lower temperatures, and cause fungal diseases

Question 21

What temperatures does photosynthesis occur? What about fruit set?

Answer 21

Photosynthesis - between 18-33 degrees C

Fruit set - between 26-32 degrees C

Question 22

Are constant temperatures more favourable?

Answer 22

• In warm, hot climates, a large diurnal range is more favourable (cool period at night can slow respiration of magic acid and be beneficial in developing anthocyanin)
• In cool, moderate climates, a low diurnal range is more favourable so that night time temperatures still allow ripening to continue

Question 23

How does climate change affect wine production?

Answer 23

• Rises in temperatures
• Changes in distribution of rainfall
• Greater weather variability and frequency of extreme events

Question 24

What are the 5 main nutrients required for successful vines?

Answer 24

1) Nitrogen (needed for photosynthesis)
2) Potassium (helps control flow of water)
3) Phosphorus (photosynthesis)
4) Calcium (role in structure of plant cells)
5) Magnesium (photosynthesis)

Question 25

What is ENSO?

Answer 25

• El Nino-Southern Oscillation

- A climatic cycle in the Pacific Ocean that has significant affect on weather patterns

Question 26

What’s a maritime climate?

Answer 26

• Low annual differences between summer and winter temperatures
• Rainfall spread out throughout year
• Ex. Bordeaux