Ch03 Viniculture Flashcards
Name the five things a vine needs to be healthy and ripen.
Carbon dioxide, water, heat, sunlight, nutrients
How is climate different than weather?
Climate describes the weather conditions we may expect in a year, while weather is what happens in a typical day
Name three elements that control the climate of a location
Latitude, altitude and oceans
How do ocean currents and breezes affect climate in wine growing regions?
In all cases, except the west coast of France, ocean breezes are cooling. However in Bordeaux the ocean breeze is warming.
What happens to a grape if the climate is not hot enough to ripen it?
It tastes sour, astringent, bitter and lacking in fruit flavours
What happens to a grape if the climate is too hot?
They become unpleasantly jammy low acid, raisiny or generally taste bland
Wines grown in a hot climate are what with respect to alcohol, body, tannins and acidity?
High alcohol, full body, high tannins, less acidity
Wines grown in a cool climate are what with respect to alcohol, body, tannins and acidity?
Low alcohol, light body, less tannins, more acid
What time during the year does weather have the biggest impact on grapes?
The growing season
Name four types of extreme weather that impact grapes.
Hail (damages skin, subject to rot); extreme cold or hot; floods and late frosts
How do winemakers handle vintage variations?
They rely on blending to keep style similar.
Sunlight allows grapes to combine ____ and ____ into ______
Carbon dioxide, water, sugar
What chemical species is fermented into alcohol?
Sugar
In high latitude regions (far away from the Equator) what do you do to vineyard to ensure there is enough sunlight?
Plant on a slope or near a river that reflects sunlight
Too much water does what to grapes (like six things)
Bloated, high yields, less body, alcohol and flavour. Generally diluted flavours. It can also lead to rot if there is dampness.
For the highest quality wine, how do you manage water?
Just enough water to ensure sugar production, but no more.
In Europe why are vines planted on steep slopes or soils like gravel or chalk?
They help water drain away and can contribute warmth (e.g. gravel)
Most of the worlds vineyards are found at what position in the globe?
In temperature zones between 30 and 50 degrees
What are the main factors affecting warmth of vines? What are secondary factors?
Climate and weather. In addition soils can reflect heat or retain it. Dry stony soils are warmer than wet clay.
Name three effects on climate
Latitude, altitude and ocean
What vineyard activities affect the quality and style of the grape?
Generally its management of the yield and care in the vineyard (e.g. watering, pruning, ….)
Name the four parts of a grape
Stalk, skin, pulp and seeds
Give some examples of pests and diseases in a vineyard
Animals can eat grapes; fungus like mildew or rot damage the green parts of a vine; long-term fungal bacteria or viral diseases can affect the health of vines lowering yields and inhibiting ripening.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of machine harvesting
It is efficient and cheap; it can only be done on flat sites. It yields exclusively whole bunch grapes.
What is the most important part of the winemaking process?
Fermentation
Describe the five stages in making white wine, indicating when skins are removed.
Crushing, pressing (remove skins), fermentation, maturation and bottling
What is must?
The mix of grape juice and yeast that you have prior to fermentation.
What is the temperature of white wine fermentation?
Low temperatures, 12-22 C
How long does fermentation of white wine take?
Two to four weeks
Describe the five/six stages in making red wine.
Crushing, fermentation, pressing, maturation, blending, bottling
What is the temperature of red wine fermentation?
20 - 32 C
How long does fermentation of red wine take?
As little as five days or as much as two weeks
What types of wines must be made from black grapes?
Rose and red and white without skin contact
What distinguishes rose wines during their production from white or red?
They are made like red wines in that they are fermented before pressing; however they are fermented at lower temperatures (12-22 C). They also have less grapeskin contact.
T/F Red wines are fermented in oak barrels
False. This is not very practical
Maturation with Oxygen (1 answer)
Maturation without Oxygen ( 3 answers)
With Oxygen: Wooden vats, barrels
Without Oxygen: Stainless steel vats, cement, bottles
maturing in oak barrels does what?
softens tannins in red wines and introduces flavours of toffee, fig, nut and coffee
Under anaerobic conditions what happens to the fruit flavours of young wines
They mature into vegetal and animal odours as well as cooked fruit
What are factors that impact the cost of a wine in A. The vineyards (4 things) and B. The winery (2 things) and C. Packing, Distribution & Sale (4)
Vineyard: - location, cost of premium land - degree of mechanisation - labour and equipment - yield management Winery: - Cost of barrels - Ageing (ties up capital, needs space) Packing, Distribution & Sale - Exchange rates - packaging - transport - efficiency of distributor & retailer, low-volume high service distribution is more expensive
(True/False) White wines can only be made from white grapes.
False
What do punching down and pumping over do to a red wine? When do they happen?
This happens during fermentation. Alcohol can help extract colour, tannins and flavour from the skins so this is done to accelerate those processes.
What is the difference between free run wines and press wine?
Free run is what comes of the mix of grapes and yeast after fermentation is complete. Press is what comes off when you press on the skins. This has a higher level of tannins and often is blended in.
French Oak vs American Oak
American: vanilla, coconut, harsher tannins
French: subtle, toast and nutty flavours, smoother tannins
