5. Vineyard Establishment

Question 1

Identify 2 grape growing regions where very old vines remain profitable for wine production:

Answer 1

• Burgundy, France.
• Eden Valley, S. Australia.

Question 2

What are 4 different labeling terms for ‘Old Vines’?

Answer 2

• Vielles Vignes (France)
• Vecchie Vigne (Italy)
• Viñas Viejas (Spain)
• Alte Reben (Germany)

Question 3

What are some ways which certain grape varieties can be more or less adapted to their climate (6)?

Answer 3

• time of budding
• duration of annual life cycle
• tolerance of drought
• winter hardiness
• vigour
• diesease resistance

Question 4

Using examples, explain how a varietal’s Tolerance of Drought can be more/less adapted to its climate:

Answer 4

Grapes that can withstand high levels of water stress e.g. Grenache, are better-suited for dry climates e.g. S. Rhone / McClaren Vale.

Question 5

Using examples, explain how adaptability to Soil pH can influence a grape-grower’s choice of rootstock:

Answer 5

Certain rootstocks are more tolerant of very low (acidic) or high (basic) pH levels.

e.g. Hybrids of V. rupestris X V. berlandieri e.g. 99R = tolerant of acidic soils.

V. berlandieri e.g. 41B = tolerant of high lime content (high pH soils.)

Question 6

Using examples, explain how the Style of Wine Desired can influence a grapegrower’s choice of planted varietals:

Answer 6

Varietal should be suitable for style of wine desired by winemaker, e.g. Gamay would be suitable for a low tannin, fruity red meant for early drinking (vs. Nebbiolo / Aglianico.)

Question 7

Explain the physical definition of “terroir”:

Give an example that illustrates this point:

Answer 7

• “A sense of place”, or displaying characteristics that relate to the particular place in which the grapes are grown (climate, soil, aspect, elevation).
  e. g. wines made from grapes grown a few hundred meters from each other in the Cote d’Or can taste different from each other due to differenct microclimatic conditions.

Question 8

Give a specific example of a region where the landscape’s natural topography has had to be changed in order to make viticulture possible:

Answer 8

e.g. Douro Valley, Portugal; the extreme gradient of the valley slopes required farmers to construct terraces (“socalcos”) to provide flat land on which to plant vines.

Question 9

Using examples, explain how a varietal’s Winter Hardiness can be more/less adapted to its climate:

Answer 9

Grapes that are more tolerant of harsh winter temps e.g. Vidal Blanc / Riesling, are more suitable for climates that might feature them e.g. Ontario / Finger Lakes, NY.

Question 10

In the EU, grapes for PDO wines cannot be harvested from vines that are younger than ____ years old.

What will some grape-growers do during this waiting period?

Answer 10

• 4 years.
• Common for grape growers to remove inflorescences so that the vines can concentrate its resources on growth.

Question 11

Using examples, explain how Market Demand can influence a grapegrower’s choice of planted varietals:

Answer 11

As wine is a market-driven product, a producer must identify the demand/route to market they are targeting, e.g. Sauvignon Blanc has recently been very successful.

To adapt to market trends, growers can cut off existing vines and graft new ones on.

Question 12

What is the advantage / disadvantage of a grape-grower replacing existing vines via head grafting?

Answer 12

Advantage: Established root system allows new vine to produce fruit much sooner.

Disadvantage: Specific traits of the rootstock might be more suitable for previous varietal than the new one.

Question 13

What are 4 factors that might influence a grape-grower’s choice of rootstock?

Answer 13

1. Resistance to Pests
2. Water / Drought Tolerance
3. Soil pH
4. Vigor

Question 14

Give 3 specific examples of how NATURAL FACTORS of location, layout and topography have cost implications for vineyard site selection:

Answer 14

1) Sites that lie in a “frost pocket” may produce lower yields, slower return of investment, require most costly frost-protection measures e.g. Cote d’Or in Burgundy.
2) Some sites might be more susceptible to cerain diseases or pests, which could require more costly disease-prevention measures e.g. grey rot in Puget Sound AVA, Washington.
3) Some sites in warmer, drier climates might be at risk of wildfires, requiring costly wildfire protection, insurance, repair e.g. Mendocino, California or Victoria, Australia.

Question 15

How is price factored in when considering site selection?

Give examples:

Answer 15

• More desirable GIs (e.g. Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru in Burgundy) will command a higher price point than more generic GIs (e.g. Vin de France)

Question 16

What are the 4 main factors that affect soil preparation?

Answer 16

1) drainage of soil
2) structure of soil
3) mineral composition
4) presence of unwanted plants/pests

Question 17

Using examples, explain how Cost can influence a grapegrower’s choice of planted varietals:

Answer 17

Some grapes = more costly / harder to grow e.g. Pinot Noir (prone to disease, needs more spraying/monitoring.)

Question 18

What issues regarding soil structure might need to be resolved when selecting a vineyard site?

Give 2 examples of processes that grapegrowers will undertake to render soil structure more suitable for their needs:

Answer 18

Since the structure of the soil has such a significant influence on the success of viticulture (root penetration, drainage, nutrient/water holding capacity, friability), structures that negatively affect these factors must be resolved.

1) If the site has very large rocks at or near the surface, they may be removed to make way for vines.
2) If land has been previously used for other agriculture, a plough pan may be present (impervious layer of soil.) To solve this, “subsoiling” (breaking down) may be needed to make the soil easier to cultivate.

Question 19

Identify 6 NON-CLIMATE-related factors that might influence a grapegrower’s choice of varietal(s) for planting?

Answer 19

1. Style of wine desired
2. Yield
3. Cost
4. Law
5. Availability
6. Market Demand

Question 20

If a grapegrower is replacing other vines or crops with new vines, what must be done with the old roots and why (2)?

Answer 20

• Roots must be removed and burnt, as they might harbor disease.
• Systemic herbicides might also be advised if weeds are a particular problem.

Question 21

What are a some things that need to be considered when site selecting (7)?

Answer 21

• price of land
• location, layout and topography
• slopes
• irrigation availabilty / legality
• ease of access to vineyard, distance from winery (more distance = more chance of oxidation/microbial spoilage)
• distance from towns/cities (supplies, market, distribution)
• access to skilled labor force

Question 22

Using examples, explain how adaptability to Vigor can influence a grape-grower’s choice of rootstock:

Answer 22

Vigor = tendency to grow a lot of shoots/vegetation.

Low vigor rootstocks = better in cool climates (because low temps encourage vegetative growth.) e.g. V. riparia such as 420A = low vigor.

High vigor rootstocks = better in unfertile, dry conditions or for sparkling wine production, e.g. V. rupestris such as 140R = high vigor.

Question 23

Explain how local / national laws can influence cost factors when selecting vineyard sites:

Answer 23

Certain GIs, e.g. those with a PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) in the EU , are subject to rules regarding allowable grape varieties, min/max yields and aging requirements. All these factors can greatly increase the cost it requires to produce a certain wine, and it would be econmically unwise to invest in premium land within a certain GI if a winemaker is not intending to label their wine as such.

e.g. Brunello di Montalcino DOCG requires 5 yrs aging (min. 2 in oak) before release, delaying return on investment, accruing costs of purchasing barrels etc…all of which drive up the price of the wine.

Question 24

For high quality, premium / super-premium wines, what is desired in terms of quality and cost?

Give an example of a region that is suited for this type of production, and why:

Answer 24

• Healthy grapes of optimum composition (acid, sugar, tannin, color, aroma compounds) with less regard to expense.
  e. g. Rheingau, Germany
• Cooler climate (freshness/acidity in grapes), steep slopes (max. sun exposure), favorable aspect (S/SE facing for adequate ripening), less fertile soils (slate = good draining, heat retention)

Question 25

Give a specific example of a region whose soils’ pH level needs to be adjusted in order to allow viable viticulture:

Answer 25

e.g. Beaujolais in France; soils are very acidic (low pH) so lime can be spread on the soil and ploughed in.

Question 26

Using examples, explain how adaptability to Pests can influence a grape-grower’s choice of rootstock:

Answer 26

• Phylloxera-Resistant rootstocks are almost universally used.
• Additionally, some rootstocks are further resistant to other pests, e.g. Ramsey and Dog Ridge (both champini) are resistant to root-knot nematoads.

Question 27

Using examples, explain how a varietal’s Resistance to Disease can be more/less adapted to its climate:

Answer 27

Grapes that are less susceptible to fungal diseases e.g. Cabernet Sauvignon = less susceptible to Grey Rot vs Merlot, can withstand more rainy, humid climates e.g. Bordeaux.

Question 28

How do some believe that certain winemaking choices can negatively affect a wine’s terroir?

Answer 28

Some believe that overly zealous winemaking techinques, e.g. overuse of new oak barrels, extra hang-time for overripe fruit, mask the wine’s inherent character and uniqueness.

Question 29

Depending on ___ and ____, grapevines are able to produce maximum yields of fruit for ___to___ years.

Answer 29

• Variety / Environmental Conditions
• 10-40 years.

Question 30

Using examples, explain how adaptability to Water can influence a grape-grower’s choice of rootstock (3):

Answer 30

• Hybrids of V. rupestris and V. berlandieri e.g. 110R = tolerant to drought (ability to root deeply / quickly.)
• V. riparia e.g. Riparia Gloire = tolerant of water-logged soils.
• V. berlandieri e.g. 1103 Paulsen = tolerant of salinity.

Question 31

2 e.g.s of regional associations that help to protect/classify old vines:

Answer 31

The Historic Vineyard Society in California.

The Barossa Old Vine Charter in Australia.

Question 32

Using examples, explain how the Yield can influence a grapegrower’s choice of planted varietals:

Answer 32

If high yield, inexpensive wine is desired, grapegrower’s must choose appropriate grapes e.g. Grenache.

Question 33

Using an example, explain how the concept of terroir can be used for marketing purposes:

Answer 33

Wineries / salespeople may claim that their wine is directly influence by the geological make-up of the soils unique to their region/vineyard.

e.g. the chalkiness of Chardonnay from Chablis is from chalky limestone soils, i.e. the vine is taking up elements directly from the soil that affect the wine’s taste.

Question 34

Using examples, explain how a varietal’s Duration of annual life-cycle can be more/less adapted to its climate:

Answer 34

Early-ripening grapes e.g. Chardonnay/Pinot Noir = best suited for cooler climates (suitable level of ripeness before cold weather.) Too warm = loss of acidity.

Late-ripening grapes e.g. Mourvédre = best suited for warm/hot climates (more time for them to fully ripen late into the season.)

Question 35

For high volume, inexpensive or mid-level wines, what is desired in terms of yield and cost?

Give an example of a region that is suited for this type of production, and why (4):

What are some possible negative aspects of the resultant wines (2)?

Answer 35

• High yields of healthy grapes, consistent and relatively cheap.
• e.g. Central Valley of Chile
• Flat topography (easily mechanized = quicker, cheaper), warm + dry (low disease pressure, consistent ripeness), fertile soils (high yields), option of irrigation.

High yields can = lack of concentration in grapes/wines

Overly warm conditions = jammy flavors/aromas, lack of freshness

Question 36

Using examples, explain how a varietal’s Vigor can be more/less adapted to its climate:

Answer 36

More vigorous varietals e.g. Sauvignon Blanc, should not be planted in fertile soils w/plentiful water = excessive shoot growth.

Question 37

Explain the cultural definition of “terroir”:

Give an example that illustrates this point:

Answer 37

Some believe that human interventions contribute to the sense of terroir, e.g. certain French PDOs stipulate planting density, trellising methods, which affect the outcome of the wine.

Question 38

Using examples, explain how Availability can influence a grapegrower’s choice of planted varietals (2):

Answer 38

• Strict quarantine procedures might make bringing in new plant material very difficult e.g. Chile / Australia.
• Also, in some countries, certain clones/varieties may be unavailable or sold out due to high demand.

Question 39

How are steep slopes factored in when considering cost implications for vineyard site selection?

Give 2 examples:

Answer 39

• Steep slopes are usually unsuitable for mechanization, meaning fruit must be hand-harvested, increasing labor costs, time investment. Labor can be difficult to allocate in certain regions.
  e. g. Mosel in Germany, Douro Valley in Portugal

Question 40

Using examples, explain how a varietal’s Time of Budding can be more/less adapted to its climate:

Answer 40

Early-budding e.g. Chardonnay = more at risk from spring frost damage vs late-budding e.g. Riesling.

Question 41

Using examples, explain how Laws can influence a grapegrower’s choice of planted varietals:

Answer 41

Many EU countries stipulate which grapes can be used if a winemaker desires to use that name on the label, e.g. Prosecco DOC must be made primarily from Glera.

Question 42

What are some of the theories behind the viewpoint that older vines produce higher quality fruit (5)?

Answer 42

• Older vines = better balanced + adapted to their environment.
• Older vines = lower yields = more concentration in each grape.
• Older wood = bigger store of carbohydrates = more consistency during poor vintages.
• Length of survival = planted in the most favorable conditions.
• It is usually the best plants that are kept longest vs being grubbed up/replanted.