5.3 Planting Materials

Question 1

Name the 6 ways in which certain grape varieties can be more or less adapted to their climate.

Answer 1

1. Time of budding
2. Duration of annual life-cycle
3. Tolerance of drought
4. Resistance to disease
5. Winter hardiness
6. Vigour

Question 2

Describe what role this plays in how a particular grape variety adapts to its climate: Time of budding. Give an example.

Answer 2

Early budding grape varieties (Chardonnay), are more at risk from spring frost damage compared to late budding varieties (Riesling).

Question 3

Describe what role this plays in how a particular grape variety adapts to its climate: Duration of annual life-cycle. Give an example.

Answer 3

• Early ripening grape varieties (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir) are best suited to cool climates, ensuring that they reach a suitable level of ripeness before wet, cold weather starts towards late autumn.
• Late ripening grape varieties (Mourvèdre) are better suited to warm and hot climates. Early ripening varieties in these climates would gain sugar and lose acidity too rapidly, resulting in unbalanced wines.

Question 4

Describe what role this plays in how a particular grape variety adapts to its climate: Tolerance of drought. Give an example.

Answer 4

Grape varieties that are able to withstand a high level of water stress (Grenache) can be the best options in dry climates such as:

• southern Rhône
• inland Spain
• McLaren Vale

Question 5

Describe what role this plays in how a particular grape variety adapts to its climate: Resistance to disease. Give an example.

Answer 5

• Some grape varieties are less susceptible to fungal diseases, meaning that they require less monitoring and/or treating in damp climates.
• Ex: Cabernet Sauvignon is less susceptible to grey rot than Merlot, one of the reasons why these two grape varieties make useful blending partners, particularly in rainy Bordeaux.

Question 6

Describe what role this plays in how a particular grape variety adapts to its climate: Winter hardiness. Give an example.

Answer 6

Some grape varieties (Vidal and Riesling) are relatively tolerant of very cold winter temperatures, making them suitable for the harsh winters experienced in Ontario and the Finger Lakes.

Question 7

Describe what role this plays in how a particular grape variety adapts to its climate: Vigour. Give an example.

Answer 7

If high vigour grape varieties (Sauvignon Blanc) are grown on fertile soils with plentiful water, it is likely that their vigour will need managing to avoid excessive shoot growth.

Question 8

Other than flavor and climate, name the 6 factors taken into account when selecting grape varieties to plant.

Answer 8

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

Question 9

Describe what role this plays in selecting which grape variety to plant: Style of wine. Give an example.

Answer 9

The characteristics of the grapes should be consistent with the style of wine that the producer wants to make.

Ex: A producer wanting to make a low tannin, fruity red for early drinking is more likely to choose Gamay or Grenache than Nebbiolo or Aglianico.

Question 10

Describe what role this plays in selecting which grape variety to plant: Yield. Give an example.

Answer 10

High yielding grape varieties (Grenache) or clones allow the production of higher yields, which is a prime concern when making inexpensive wines.

Question 11

Describe what role this plays in selecting which grape variety to plant: Cost. Give an example.

Answer 11

Some grape varieties are more difficult, and therefore more expensive, to grow.

Ex: Pinot Noir is prone to disease and therefore is likely to need more monitoring and spraying.

Question 12

Describe what role this plays in selecting which grape variety to plant: Law. Give an example.

Answer 12

In many EU countries, wine legislation restricts what grape varieties can be planted.

Ex: A wine labelled Prosecco in the EU must be made predominantly from Glera.

Question 13

Describe what role this plays in selecting which grape variety to plant: Availability. Give an example.

Answer 13

The risk of spreading pests and diseases means that strict quarantine procedures are in place when introducing new planting material to a country or region. Although in some wine regions there is a large range of choices, in others certain grape varieties or clones may not be available or be sold out due to high demand.

Question 14

Describe what role this plays in selecting which grape variety to plant: Market demand. Give an example.

Answer 14

To be commercially successful, a producer must identify the demand and the route to market for the brand of wine that they are ultimately going to produce and select the variety to plant accordingly.

Ex: The success of Sauvignon Blanc

Question 15

What other decisions go into choosing a grape variety to plant?

Answer 15

• Clones (if purchased from a nursery)

- Rootstocks

Question 16

What is the main reason for grafting onto rootstocks? What are other reasons?

Answer 16

• Main: Protection from phylloxera

- Other: Rootstocks can have varying characteristics linked to its parentage

Question 17

What 4 factors are at play when choosing rootstocks to use?

Answer 17

1. Pest Tolerance
2. Water
3. Soil pH
4. Vigour

Question 18

Describe the role that pest tolerance plays when selecting rootstocks? Give an example.

Answer 18

As well as being tolerant of phylloxera, some rootstocks are also tolerant of root-knot nematodes.

Ex: Ramsey and Dog Ridge (both Vitis champini) are two examples of rootstocks that are tolerant of root-knot nematodes.

Question 19

Describe the role that water plays when selecting rootstocks?

Answer 19

Some rootstocks are highly tolerant of drought.

Others are tolerant of water-logged soil.

Others are tolerant of soils with higher levels of dissolved salt.

Question 20

What rootstocks are highly tolerant of drought? Why?

Answer 20

• Hybrids of V. rupestris and V. berlandieri, such as 110R or 140R
• Ability to root deeply and quickly

Question 21

What rootstocks are tolerant of water-logged soil? Where might these be useful?

Answer 21

• Based on V. riparia (Ex: Riparia Gloire)

- Can be useful in regions with high rainfall and water-retaining soils

Question 22

What rootstocks are tolerant of soils with higher levels of dissolved salt?

Answer 22

Based on V. berlandieri (Ex: 1103 Paulsen)

Question 23

Describe the role that soil pH plays when selecting rootstocks?

Answer 23

Rootstocks can alleviate problems caused by soils that have very low or high pH

Question 24

Give an example of two rootstocks that have a high tolerance to acidic soils.

Answer 24

99R and 110R, both hybrids of V. rupestris and V. berlandieri

Question 25

Give an example of a rootstock that tends to be tolerant of soils with high lime content (high pH).

Answer 25

Rootstocks based on V. berlandieri

Ex: 41B

Question 26

What effect does a low vigour rootstock have on ripening? High vigour? Give examples.

Answer 26

• Low vigour rootstocks can advance ripening, which may be useful in cool climates.
• Ex: based on V. riparia, such as 420A and 3309C
• High vigour rootstocks can be useful if the grape grower wants to boost vine growth and yields in vineyard areas with unfertile soils and dry conditions.
• Ex: based on V. rupestris, such as 140R

Question 27

Give an example of when a high vigour rootstock might be used.

Answer 27

• High vigour rootstock may be chosen for sparkling wine where high yields of grapes with delicate aromas and high acidity is more desirable than lower yields of grapes with more concentrated aromas, colour and/or tannins.

Question 28

How old do vines have to be for PDO wines in the EU.

Answer 28

At least 4 years old

Question 29

What do grape growers do to the vines during their first 2 or 3 years? Why?

Answer 29

• Remove inflorescences as they form

- Allows the young vine to concentrate its resources on growth

Question 30

Between what ages do vines produce their highest yield?

Answer 30

Between 10 and 40 years

Question 31

At what age does a vine’s yields start decreasing? Why?

Answer 31

• Age 40

- Vigour decreases

Question 32

Where might old vines (50 years or above) remain profitable? Give 2 examples.

Answer 32

• Very old, famous vineyards with premium prices

- Ex: Burgundy, Eden Valley

Question 33

What happens to old vines in areas making inexpensive or mid-priced wines? Why?

Answer 33

• The old vines will be replaced

- Higher yields are needed

Question 34

What 3 theories are behind the belief that older vines produce a higher quality of fruit?

Answer 34

1. Better balanced, adapted to their environment
2. Lower yields, higher concentration
3. More wood, higher store of carbohydrates to access when stressed

Question 35

When seen on a label, what does old vines mean?

Answer 35

• Not regulated

- May be 30 for one producer, 100 for another

Question 36

What are other terms for old vines?

Answer 36

‘vieilles vignes’ or ‘viñas viejas’

Question 37

Name 2 associations created to protect and classify old vines.

Answer 37

• The Historic Vineyard Society in California

- The Barossa Old Vine Charter