5.1 Growing Environment & Grape Growing Flashcards
Describe the general climate for VDN PDOs in France.
The general climate in all the VDN PDOs is Mediterranean.
_________ is the warmest and driest region and is influenced by the Tramontane wind all of which leads to greater transpiration from the grapes during the end of ripening, and hence a greater concentration of sugar.
Roussillon is the warmest and driest region and is influenced by the Tramontane wind all of which leads to greater transpiration from the grapes during the end of ripening, and hence a greater concentration of sugar.
This can be beneficial meaning less spirit is needed to fortify a wine to a certain level of alcohol while retaining a certain level of residual sugar (i.e. a grape with a high level of sugar can ferment for longer, producing more alcohol, before reaching the desired level of residual sugar for the final wine). However, it also reduces juice yield.
The majority of VDNs are produced from __________ or ____________.
The majority of VDNs are produced from Muscat or Grenache.
List the three grape varieries used to make Vin Doux Naturels.
- Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
- Muscat of Alexandria
- Grenache
*Grenache Blanc, Macabeu (the same as Macabeo in Spain) and Grenache Gris may also be part of the blend for VDNs in Roussillon.
Describe the grape variety Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains.
This Muscat variety is the most widely planted in France. It has smaller grapes than Muscat of Alexandria, and it is considered to have a greater intensity of aroma and flavour. It is tolerant of dry weather and hence suited to Mediterranean climates in which rain during the growing season is scarce. It is susceptible to powdery mildew, botrytis bunch rot and mites. Plantings are increasing in number, mainly due to its popularity in dry, unfortified wines, either as a blending component (for aroma) or as a single varietal wine.
Describe the grape variety Muscat of Alexandria.
This Muscat variety has bigger grapes than Muscat Blanc and achieves high sugar levels. Similar to Muscat Blanc, it is tolerant of dry weather but is susceptible to powdery mildew and botrytis bunch rot. Plantings are in decline as it is often thought to produce wines that are less refined than those from Muscat Blanc.
Describe the grape variety Grenache.
True or false?
Yields for all the appellations producing VDNs are small.
True. The maximum yield is generally 30 hL/ha.
True or false?
The climates for growing grapes for VDN are generally cold and rainy.
False.
The climates for growing grapes for VDNs are generally warm and, particularly for unaged styles of Muscat, a shady canopy is required to reduce the chances of sunburn and excessive grape shrivelling.
Fro VDNS, by law, grapes must be picked with a minimum of ____% ABV potential alcohol.
Fro VDNS, by law, grapes must be picked with a minimum of 14.8% ABV potential alcohol.
Sometimes the grapes are picked slightly riper but overall producers generally want to retain as much acidity as possible to balance the residual sugar in these wines.
True or false?
Grapes for VDNs tend to be hand-harvested, and there may be several passes through the vineyard depending on the ripeness of the crop.
True.
Late harvest or ________ characters are not desired for VDNs.
Late harvest or botrytized characters are not desired for VDNs.
