Ch 4 The Vine Flashcards
What are the main species of vine?
Vitis Vinifera ( Eurasian)
American vines e.g.
* v. Labrusco
* v. Riparia
* v. Rupestris
* v. Berlandieri
Why is v. Vinifera preferred for winemaking?
It has evolved over thousands of years and produces attractive aromas and flavours. American vines are thought to have unattractive flavours.
What is the main use for American vines?
Because its rootstock is tolerant of diseases such as phylloxera and nematodes and will tolerate tougher climates, eg drought, it is used to graft on v. Vinifera to get the flavour and protection.
What is a grape/vine variety?
A group of individual plants which can trace it’s lineage back through a series of CUTTING or LAYERING to a SINGLE PLANT. Note they are GENETICALLY IDENTICAL VINES
What is a cutting?
A section of dormant vine shoot is taken and regrown to a new plant. (Commercial nursery method)
What is layering?
A cane from an existing vine is bent down into the ground and part of it is buried until a new root establishes and a vine begins to grow. It is then cut off from “mother vine”. Note it is not resistant to phylloxera.
What is a “ CLONE”?
As a result of mutation during growing some vines develop positive characteristics, eg disease resistance, higher quality/volume fruit. Any individual or group of vines which display these unique characteristics is known as a CLONE.
What is CLONAL SELECTION?
Vines that show positive characteristics are propagated to create future vines that have these characteristics.
Why might a new variety be sought?
To thrive in certain climates/ soil;
To improve disease resistance;
To produce a higher quantity/quality of fruit
What method is used to try to create a new variety?
Cross-fertilisation - pollen is transferred from the male part of a flower of one variety to the female part of a different variety. Develops into a grape with seeds which are planted. If they grow it is a new variety.
What is a crossing?
A new variety created from 2 parents of SAME species is a Crossing. Most commonly used to describe varieties grown by researchers e.g. PINOTAGE, MULLER-THURGAU. There are wild crossings eg Cab Franc + Sauv Blanc = Cab Sauv
What is a hybrid?
A hybrid is a variety grown from 2 different SPECIES i.e. at least one American species.
(Uncommon but note VIDAL in Canada)
Name 4 parts of the vine.
Green parts;
One year wood;
Permanent wood;
Roots
Name the 5 green parts of the vine.
Shoot, tendrils, leaves, buds, flowers+ berries
What does the shoot provide?
The shoot provides structure, ie the stem
What is role of leaves?
Leaves are the lungs/engine of the plant. They facilitate photosynthesis which converts water and CO2 into glucose and O2. The glucose ripens the grapes.
What are the buds?
The buds are embryonic shoots which develop during a year and contain the necessary components for a shoot the following year.
What do the tendrils do?
They cling to any structure(eg trellis) as the vine cannot support itself.
What do flowers and berries do? What is another namefor these?
The flowers are the reproductive organs of the plant. They have male and female parts which when pollinated produce berries which will eventually become grapes. Also known as INFLORESCENCES
What is one-year wood?
Shoots will turn brown in the winter. The following spring they become 1 year old wood. and need to be pruned back either as “canes” or “spurs”. Fruit will only be produced from shoots which were buds in the previous year.
What is “permanent wood”?
Permanent wood is more than 1 year old eg trunk and arms (cordon) and is pruned each year.
What is the role of the vine’s roots?
To anchor the vine;
To absorb nutrients and water from the soil;
To provide food ( carbohydrates) to the vine during winter.
What is phylloxera?
It is a pest from America which was imported by acicdent and destroyed European vineyards in late 19th century. It feeds on vine roots and leaves wounds which get infected and eventually vine weakens and dies.
How is phylloxera combatted?
There is no chemical solution. American rootstock are resistant to the pest and therefore V Vinifera is grafted onto it. This gives protection of roots and flavour of V. Vinifera. Quarantine is only other effective method.
