Chapter 3 The Growing Environment

Question 1

Define solar radiation?

Answer 1

It is the main source of heat and sunlight.

Question 2

What affects solar radiation?

Answer 2

• closer to the equator = more solar radiation (less atmosphere and 90° angle)
• higher altitude = more solar radiation = anthocyanin and tannin synthesis = ticker skins
• slopes and aspect affect solar radiation
• composition of he soil (color) affect solar radiation
• proximity to water = solar radiation reflected

Question 3

Define latitude

Answer 3

The position of a region relative to the earth’s parallel and horizontal lines.

Latitude affects temperature and sunlight.

Question 4

How does latitude affects solar radiation, and sunlight?

Answer 4

Higher latitudes = less solar radiation because of lower angles and more atmosphere but more sunlight hours during the GS.

Question 5

Define altitude

Answer 5

The distance measured from sea level. Every 100 meters = 0.6°C

Question 6

How does altitude affects weather?

Answer 6

At higher altitudes high diurnal range because = less air = less moisture = heat rapidly escapes = cooler nights.

High altitudes =rainfall Shadow

Question 7

Define diurnal range

Answer 7

The average difference between day and night the temperatures.

Question 8

How does diurnal range affects the grapes?

Answer 8

Diurnal range in warm or hot climates = cool period during night can slow down respiration of malic acid, and be beneficial for the formation of anthocyanins.

Question 9

Define aspect

Answer 9

The direction to where a particular vineyard faces towards.

Question 10

Explain the effects of aspect

Answer 10

The importance of aspect increases with altitude. Better aspect in cool climates = better exposure to sun.

In hot climates, worst exposure limits sun and heat = acid retention and less alcohol.

Slopes facing east heat up early in the morning = more hours of sunlight + dry the dew and less fungal disease.

Question 11

Define Stomata

Answer 11

Pores located on the underside of vine leaves.

Question 12

Explain how stomata works?

Answer 12

1. Water vapor diffuses out
2. CO2 out & O2 in = photosynthesis
3. open and closes depending on the availability of water
4. Allow transpiration and other essential plant regulations.

Question 13

Define evapotranspiration rate

Answer 13

The amount of transpiration from the vine + the evaporation from the soil surface. The speed at which water is no longer available.

Higher evapotranspiration = More water is needed to satisfy the vine needs.

Question 14

What affects evapotranspiration?

Answer 14

Depends on temperature, humidity and wind.

Question 15

What are the more important nutrients for the plant?

Answer 15

Nitrogen - N
Potassium - K
Phosphorus - P
Calcium - Ca
Magnesium - Mg

Question 16

Effects of Nitrogen N

Answer 16

1. Component of proteins and chlorophyll.
2. To much N = excessive vegetative growth and low rate of ripening + poor ventilation.
3. Too little N = reduced vigor and yellow leaves.
4. Low levels of nitrogen = grapes problematic for fermentation.
5. Vines with low level of N produce better quality grapes.

Question 17

Effects of Potassium K

Answer 17

1. Very high levels of K can cause problem in the uptake of magnesium = reduce yield and poor ripening.
2. High levels of K = high levels of K in grapes + high acid in the must
3. Low levels of K = low sugar accumulation, reduced yields and poor vine growth

Question 18

Effects of Phosphorus P

Answer 18

1. Important for photosynthesis
2. Too little P leads to poorly developed root system = poor water and nutrients absorption, reduced vine growth and low yields

Question 19

Effects of Calcium Ca

Answer 19

1. Has a role in the structure of plant cells & photosynthesis.
2. Low Ca has a negative impact on fruit set.

Question 20

Effects of Magnesium Mg

Answer 20

1. Mg is found in chlorophyll and is important for photosynthesis
2. Low Mg leads to low yields and poor ripening.

Question 21

Define soil texture

Answer 21

The proportion of the minerals of sand, silt and clay + rock fragments: gravel and pebbles

Question 22

How does soil texture affect?

Answer 22

Question 23

Texture of soil

Answer 23

Question 24

Define soil structure

Answer 24

How the mineral particles in the soil aggregates. The size, shape and stability of the soil determine water drainage, root growth and workability of the soil.

Question 25

How does soil structure affect water and nutrient retaining and root growth?

Answer 25

• Soil with high clay content are sticky and form aggregates that are hard for roots.
• Soil with high sand content and or gravels & pebbles are less structured.
• Humus and or clay can help bind soil and retain water and nutrients.

Humus = organic matter found by partial decomposition

Question 26

Define growing degree days (GDD)

Answer 26

A model of heat summation during the growing season.
GDD are grouped in 5 bands

winkler zone I: coolest
Winkler zone V: hottest

Question 27

Define Huglin index

Answer 27

Similar to the GDD but includes maximun temperatures and the effect of higher latitudes (increased day length)

Question 28

Define Mean temperature of the warmest month (MJT)

Answer 28

The mean temperature of the hottest month + continentality, humidity and hours of sunshine. The temperatures have been divided into 6 bands from cold to very hot.

Question 29

Define Growing season temperature (GST)

Answer 29

The mean temperature of the whole growing season. Grouped into bands going from cool to hot.

Question 30

Define Maritime

Answer 30

Climate with low differences between summer and winter temperatures. Rainfall is even throughout the year. Example: Bordeaux

Question 31

Define Mediterranean

Answer 31

Climate with low annual differences between summer and winter.Rainfall tends to be concentrated in winter and summers are dryer.Examples: Napa Valley & coonawara

Question 32

Define continental

Answer 32

Climate with more extreme differences between summer and winter temperatures.

Short summers and cold winters with fast changes between seasons

Examples: burgundy and Alsace.

Question 33

Define cool climate

Answer 33

regions with an average GST of 16.5°C (62°F) or below.

Question 34

Define moderate climate

Answer 34

regions with an average GST of 16.5–18.5°C (62–65°F).

Question 35

Define warm climate

Answer 35

regions with an average GST of 18.5–21°C (65–70°F).

Question 36

Define hot climate

Answer 36

regions with an average GST in excess of 21°C (70°F).

Question 37

Describe the effects of continental climate

Answer 37

1. Extreme winters found in continental climates can lead to winter freeze, but often the rapid increase in temperature in the spring can lead to even budburst.
2. There is also a rapid drop in temperature in the autumn and therefore a shorter growing season.

Question 38

Define continentality

Answer 38

Continentality is a measure of the difference between the annual mean temperatures of the hottest and coldest months. Regions that are protected from ocean influences have high continentality and tend to be categorised as ‘continental’.

Question 39

Define weather

Answer 39

The annual variation that happens to the climatic average. Vintage variation is the difference of style and quality the changes in weather can have.

Question 40

How does weather affect grape growth?

Answer 40

1. Vintage variation: Sugar, acid, tannin levels and aroma / flavors ripeness in the grapes
2. Decisions made during production
3. Yields

Question 41

Describe the effects of climate change on weather

Answer 41

1. A rise in temperatures.
2. Greater evapotranspiration and therefore likelihood of water stress.
3. Changes in the geographical distribution of rainfall
4. Greater weather variability and a greater frequency of extreme weather events.

Question 42

How does climate change affect grape growing?

Answer 42

1. Faster vine cycle
2. Faster sugar accumulation and acid fall.
3. Change in the aroma profiles.
4. Drier conditions and likelihood of water stress.
5. Extreme weather reduce yield and quality

Question 43

Effects of warm and hot climate

Answer 43

high sugar levels and low acidity levels by the time aroma compounds, colour and/or tannins have reached optimum ripeness, and this can lead to wines with high levels of alcohol and low levels of acid.

Question 44

Effect of cool climate on the grapes

Answer 44

low in sugar and too high in acid in the coolest years.

Question 45

Effect of Mediterranean climate on grapes

Answer 45

Mediterranean climates: long autumns at suitable temperatures for ripening, extending the growing season.

Question 46

Effect of rainfall

Answer 46

1. Climates with even levels of rainfall throughout the year, such as maritime climates, are less likely to experience extreme water stress. However, too much water can cause excessive vine vigour.
2. Rain also increases humidity, and can increase incidence of fungal disease, which can be particularly problematic near harvest time.
3. Vines that are grown in climates that are cool, cloudy and rainy in late spring or early summer are also susceptible to poor flowering and fruit set.