3. The Growing Environment

Question 1

What constitutes the growing environment?

Answer 1

1. temperature and sunlight,
2. water,
3. nutrients,
4. climate,
5. weather,
6. climate change.

Question 2

What is vineyard management aimed at?

Answer 2

At making best use of the natural resources available.

Question 3

What will have a a DEFINING influence on the wine produced: the growing environment or the winemaker’s operations with the must/wine?

Answer 3

the growing environment and its effect on natural resources.

Question 4

What’s the optimal temperature for the dormancy of the vine?

Answer 4

under 10°C, 
extreme temperatures (around -20°C) can cause winter freeze and damage the vine.

Question 5

What’s the optimal temperature for budburst?

Answer 5

above 10°C,

+ a significant rise in temperature.

Question 6

What’s the optimum temperature range for shoot and leaves growth and photosynthesis?

Answer 6

18–33°C

Question 7

What’s the optimum temperature for flowering? fruit set?

Answer 7

above 17°C.

Question 8

What’s the optimum temperature for fruit set?

Answer 8

26–32°C.

Question 9

What’s the optimum temperature to promote increased bud fruitfulness?

Answer 9

above 25°C.

Question 10

How does warmth influence grape ripening?

Answer 10

1. faster sugar accumulation (due to optimum photosynthesis, increased grape transpiration)
2. malic acid decrease
3. a rapid loss of acidity (mean t above 21°C in the final month of ripening)
4. riper aroma/flavours

Question 11

Define photosynthesis.

Answer 11

is a biochemical reaction where leaf combines CO2 + water to produce glucose + oxygen.

Question 12

Define transpiration.

Answer 12

Transpiration is a biological process when water travels from the roots to small pores underside the leaves - stomata. The leaf pores stomata diffuse water OUT and let CO2 for photosynthesis IN. The released water transforms into vapor (испарение) and it evaporates into the atmosphere.

Question 13

How does cool temperatures influence grape ripening?

Answer 13

1. reduce acid loss (mean t below 15°C in the final month of ripening) => acidity levels in the must are too high,
2. hinder the breakdown of methoxypyrazines (herbaceous aromas),
3. slow down anthocyanin synthesis (development of colour in black grapes),
4. most likely slow down tannin synthesis.

Question 14

What is the optimum t range for anthocyanin synthesis (colour)?

Answer 14

15–25°C

Question 15

How can extreme heat and conditions affect grape ripening?

Answer 15

1. slow or stop photosynthesis

Question 16

Why can photosynthesis slow/stop during heat?

Answer 16

1. due to the heat sensitivity of enzymes (that catalyse photosynthesis),
2. water stress => shutting of stomata to prevent water loss => the closed stomata limit intake of CO2 (which is needed for photosynthesis).

Question 17

What’s the amount of sunshine optimal for photosynthesis?

Answer 17

NOT full sunshine,

below 1/3 of full sunshine.

Question 18

What are the effects of grape exposure to sunshine?

Answer 18

1. enhancing of anthocyanins (colour pigments),
2. the reduction of methoxypyrazines (herbaceous aromas/flavours),
3. accumulation of tannins (pre-véraison),
4. promotes tannins polymerisation (after véraison) => less bitterness,
5. increased levels of favourable aroma precursors and compounds (terpenes for fruity and floral aromas),
6. lower acidity levels (malic acid is used up intensively in grape RESPIRATION when grapes are warmed up),
7. successful fruit set (sunshine in late spring / early summer),
8. promotes bud fruitfulness in next year’s growing season (due to exposure of compound buds),
9. ’–’ sunburn on sun-exposed grapes.

Question 19

How is latitude correlated with solar radiation QUANTITY?

Answer 19

Regions at LOWER latitudes (nearer the Equator, e.g. Mendoza, South Africa, New South Wales) will receive MORE solar radiation per annum than regions at higher latitudes (nearer the Poles, e.g. northern France and Germany).

Question 20

How is latitude correlated with solar radiation INTENSITY?

Answer 20

Regions nearer the Equator (at lower latitudes) receive more intense solar radiation than those nearer the poles (at higher latitudes).

Question 21

Why solar radiation is less intense nearer the poles (at higher latitudes)?

Answer 21

1. solar radiation must travel through a larger section of atmosphere to reach the Earth’s surface,
2. solar radiation is more diffuse (the radiation hits the Earth at a low angle, so the radiation is spread over a larger area).

Question 22

What are characteristics of grapes grown at lower latitudes compared to those at higher latitudes?

Answer 22

higher levels of sugar,
lower levels of acidity,
riper aromas,
higher but riper tannins and more colour intensity (in black grapes).

Question 23

How is latitude correlated with The number of hours of solar radiation?

Answer 23

Low latitude regions => similar daylight hours throughout all seasons.
High latitude regions => longer daylight hours in the summer and shorter daylight hours in the winter => a longer duration of time over which photosynthesis can take place in the growing season => helping the vine to produce enough sugar even in cooler temperatures.

Question 24

What latitudes are suitable for growing wine production grapes?

Answer 24

Bw 30° and 50° latitude on each side of the Equator.