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WSET Level 3 Notes > 5 - The Growing Environment > Flashcards

5 - The Growing Environment Flashcards

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1
Q

Name the 5 factors that affect a vines healthy growth cycle

A
  1. Heat
  2. Sunlight
  3. Climate and Weather
  4. Water
  5. Soil
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2
Q

Name the factors that can affect heat (8)

A
  1. Latitude
  2. Altitude
  3. Ocean Currents
  4. Fog
  5. Soil
  6. Aspect
  7. Continentality
  8. Diurnal Range
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3
Q

Why is heat availability so important to the vine?

A

It determines what varietals can be grown.

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4
Q

At what temperature do vines stop growing?

A

Below 10C

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5
Q

Give an example of an area where altitude negates latitude.

A

Cafayate, N. Argentina
Located at a latitude that would normally be far too hot for vine growth, but the vineyards location on a plateau at altitude acts as a moderating factor on the heat the vine receives.

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6
Q

Give 2 examples of a cooling current and 1 example of a warming current.

A

Cooling: Humboldt Current off Chile
Benguela Current off South Africa

Warming: Gulf Stream off N. W. Europe.

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7
Q

Why is fog beneficial to vines?

A

Fog helps to cool areas that would otherwise struggle to produce quality grapes.

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8
Q

Give 2 examples of areas where fog acts as a moderating influence

A

Top vineyards in California
Casablanca Valley, Chile
Junction of the Garonne and Ciron in Bordeaux

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9
Q

How does soil affect the heat available to vines?

A
  1. Dark/stoney soils reradiate heat absorbed from the sun. This can be critical in ensuring that the vine ripens fully. (Cab Sauv on Left Bank Bordeaux)
  2. High water content soils require more energy to heat, delaying budburst.
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10
Q

What is aspect?

A

The aspect of a slope is the direction in which it is facing.

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11
Q

Give 3 reasons why aspect is important

A
  1. Slopes facing the equator are warmer.
  2. Aspect can play a determining role in a grape ability to fully ripen in colder climates.
  3. Steeper slopes get more sunlight.
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12
Q

Define continentality

A

Continentality is the difference in temperature between the coldest and hottest months of the year.

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13
Q

Give 3 reasons why continentality is important?

A
  1. It determines the length of the growing season
  2. Determines total heat available to the vine.
  3. Determines the grape varietals that can be grown.
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14
Q

Name a major factor that influences the continentality of a region

A

Large Bodies of Water.

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15
Q

Define diurnal rage

A

The difference between daytime and nighttime temperatures.

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16
Q

Explain 2 ways in which diurnal range can affect viticulture/ grape development and ripeness.
Give 1 example of this.

A
  1. Cool nights slow the loss of aroma and acidity
  2. Warm nights speed up ripening.

In warm/hot climates, large diurnal ranges produce fresh, aromatic wines.

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17
Q

Describe 2 factors that influence diurnal range

A
  1. Cloud cover - Acts as an insulator, keeping vines warm at night, or protecting them from extreme sunlight during the day.
  2. Proximity to Bodies of Water - Large bodies of water act as moderating influences, releasing heat to the surrounding atmosphere at night and keeping the surrounding area cool during hot days.
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18
Q

What is “Earthing Up”?

A

Covering a trunk and graft with earth to protect it from winter freezing damage.

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19
Q

What effect can a mild/no winter have on vines? (4)

A
  1. No dormant period.
  2. More than one crop per year.
  3. Shortened vine life and reduced grape quality.
  4. Insects and pest survive to the following growing season.
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20
Q

What is a spring frost?

A

Cold air below 0C collects at ground level, freezing the water vapour on the ground and vine.

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21
Q

Name 4 ways in which spring frosts can be combatted.

A
  1. Wind Machines - Encourage air movement
  2. Vineyard design - Planting on slopes prevents frost from settling at the base of the vine. High training of shoots keep vines vulnerable parts away from the damaging frost.
  3. Sprinklers - Freezing water releases latent heat to the plant tissue, preventing it from being damaged.
  4. Heaters - Encourage air movement
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22
Q

How do spring frosts affect yields?

A

Frost affect yields by killing newly burst buds and shoots.

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23
Q

What effect can cold temperatures have on growing season?

A

Cold springs mean:

  1. Delayed flowering and fruit set
  2. Delayed budburst
  3. Shorted growing season
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24
Q

What effect can excessive heat have on a vines growth?

A

If prolonged, it will result in the vines activity slowing and stopping. In extreme cases it will kill the vine.

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25
Q

Why is sunlight important to to a vine?

A

Sunlight is essential for photosynthesis. More light means more photosynthesis which means more glucose is produced for growth and grape ripening.

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26
Q

Name 3 factors that affect the sunlight available to a vine?

A
  1. Latitude
  2. Large Bodies of Water
  3. Aspect
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27
Q

Explain how latitude can affect the sunlight available to a vine? Give an example of a vineyard area where latitude is a factor in the vines development.

A

Vineyards at higher latitudes (further from the equator) experience longer days during growing season. Can be essential in helping a vine to ripen. e.g. Riesling, Germany

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28
Q

How does a vineyards proximity to large bodies of water affect the sunlight available it?

A
  1. There is more cloud cover in areas surrounding large bodies of water, which affects the total sunlight hours available to the vine.
  2. Vineyards located above water benefit from the reflection of sunlight
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29
Q

How does a vineyards aspect affect the sunlight available to the vine?

A

Steeper slopes are required, the further from the equator that you travel in order to concentrate the sunlights energy enough to ripen the vine.

30
Q

What effect does low sunlight during flowering and fruit set have on a vines yield?

A

It will lower crop yield

31
Q

What effect does cloud cover have on the vineyard environment?

A

It will prevent vines from fully ripening.

32
Q

What effect does extreme sunlight exposure have on the vineyard environment?

A

Burns the grapes, which results in bitter flavours developing.

33
Q

Why do vines need water? 2 reasons

A
  1. To photosynthesise.

2. To swell the grapes during ripening.

34
Q

What is transpiration?

A

The process by which vines transport water from their roots to the rest of the plant.

35
Q

What singular factor determines how much water a vine needs?

A

Temperature!

The hotter the weather, the more water that evaporates from the leaves.

36
Q

Name 3 irrigation techniques used in the vineyard and explain why each would be used.

A
  1. Drip Irrigation - Expensive but Advanced.
  2. Sprinkler Irrigation - Widely Used and can double as a form of frost protection, but wastes water and promotes disease.
  3. Flood Irrigation - Flatland required, and access to large bodies of water required, but very cheap.
37
Q

Why and when is mild water stress beneficial to a vine?

A

Immediately following Veraison, when enough leaves have developed. It encourages the vine to focus its efforts on ripening its grapes rather than further green growth.

38
Q

Name 3 water hazards in the vineyard.

A

Drought
Too Much Water/ Waterlogging
Hail

39
Q

Describe the effect that drought can have on a vine

A
  1. Transpiration pauses to preserve resources

2. Prolonged: Stress, no photosynthesis and leaves wilt and grapes fail to ripen.

40
Q

Describe 5 effects that too much water can have on vine growth.

A
  1. Shoots and leaves continue growing into ripening season.
  2. Extra leaves produce canopy that prevents grape ripening.
  3. Damp vineyards promote disease.
  4. Flowering and fruit set can be affected by heavy rainfall.
  5. Heavy rain before a harvest can dilute flavours and result in split grapes which will be attractants for disease and infection.
41
Q

Describe 2 ways in which waterlogging can be avoided

A
  1. Planting vines on slopes

2. Installing drainage pipes.

42
Q

Describe 2 ways in which the damaging effects of hail can be mitigated

A
  1. Installation of netting
  2. Hail storms are largely localised events, so planting on numerous vineyard plots helps to reduce the risk of a crop being totally wiped out by a single storm.
43
Q

Define Climate and Weather

A

Climate: Annual patterns of temperature, sunlight and water averaged out over several years.

Weather: Annual variation that takes place relative to the climatic average.

44
Q

Give an example of a predictable and unpredictable climatic weather region.

A
  1. Predictable: Central Valley, California.

2. Bordeau France, 2007 v. 2003

45
Q

Define a regions temperature.

A

The average temperature during the growing season.

46
Q

When is the growing season in the N. hemisphere?

A

Apr-Oct

47
Q

When is the growing season in the S. Hemisphere?

A

Oct-Apr

48
Q

What is the temperature of a cool growing region?

A

Less than 16.5C

49
Q

What is the temperature of a moderate growing region?

A

16.5 - 18.5C

50
Q

What is the temperature of a warm growing region?

A

18.5 - 21C

51
Q

What is the temperature of a hot growing region?

A

Greater than 21C

52
Q

What are the defining characteristics of a continental climate?

A
  1. High continentality
  2. Short summers with a large temperature drop in autumn.
  3. Irrigation may be needed for dry summers.
53
Q

What risks do cool continental climates face?

A

Cool continental climates are at risk of spring frosts.

Low temperatures can affect flowering, fruit set and ripening.

54
Q

Give 2 examples of a cool continental climate

A

Chablis and Champagne

55
Q

What types of varietals are preferred in cool continental climates?

A

Late budburst, early ripening varietals.

56
Q

What are the defining characteristics of a maritime climate?

A

Cool/Moderate Temperatures
Low Continentality
Even, year round rainfall which moderates temperatures and helps ripening into autumn.

57
Q

Give an example of a maritime climate?

A

Bordeaux France

58
Q

What is the advantage of a maritime climate?

A

The moderating influence of the water extends growing season, helping to ripen grapes like Cab Sauv.

59
Q

What is a disadvantage of maritime climates?

A

Spring and Summer rainfall can be harmful to the vine.

60
Q

What are the defining characteristics of a Mediterranean Climate?

A

Low Continentality

Warm, Dry Summers

61
Q

How do maritime and Mediterranean climates differ?

A

Med Climates are warmer and receive more sunlight.

They produce wines with fuller body, higher alcohol, riper tannin and lower acidity.

62
Q

Give 5 examples of Mediterranean climates around the world?

A 
The Mediterranean
Coastal California
Chile
S. Africa
S.E. Australia
63
Q

What is a risk with Mediterranean climates?

A

Low rainfall can be beneficial for ripening and flavour concentration, but it risks drought.

64
Q

What is the purpose of soil in the vines health?

A

Supplies nutrients and water to the plant.

Provides anchorage.

65
Q

What is humus?

A

Made up of decomposing plant and animal materials, rich in plant nutrients with excellent water retention properties.

66
Q

Why is soil drainage important to vine health?

A

It determines the supply of water, which directly affect growth, veraison, ripening etc.

67
Q

What is loam?

A

Loam is a mixture of sand and clay, commonly found in some of the best soil types.

68
Q

What are the 3 most important soil nutrients?

A

N
Ph
K

69
Q

What is chlorosis?

A

Chlorosis is a symptom of nutrient deficiency.

70
Q

What effect does chlorosis have on the vine?

A
  1. Leaves become yellowed
  2. Photosynthesis is restricted
  3. Grapes struggle to ripen.
71
Q

What is the remedy for chlorosis?

A

Fertiliser.

WSET Level 3 Notes (21 decks)

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