Chapter 4 - Grape Growing Flashcards
how long can vine plant live
60 years or more
where does the vine species originate from which is used in the vast majority of instances to make wines
Europe
What five things does a vine need
warmth, sunlight, carbon dioxide, water and nutrients
What affect does sunlight have on the vine
combine carbon dioxide gas, which is taken in by leaves and water taken in by roots to produce sugar
3 parts of a grape
Skins
stems and seed
Pulp
What does the grape skin contain
Tannin and colour
Seeds and stems contain
high level of tannins
makes wine bitter when handled roughly during winemaking
what is the pulp made of
water and sugar.
also contains acids and sugars
what gives red wine its colour
the skins of black grapes
Photosynthesis - equation
water + carbon dioxide + sunlight = sugar
What pollinates vines
Wind
4 stages Grape formation and ripening + season
Flowering ( Spring )
Fruit ( Spring / summer )
Veraison ( mid summer )
Ripening ( autumn )
Explain Veraison
point at which grapes start to lose their dark green colour
grapes at the start of the ripening process
very high levels of acid, hardly any sugar, unattractive herbaceous flavour
during ripening the flavor of green grapes changes from … to …
aromas and flavors change from green fruit to stone fruit
during ripening the flavor of BLACK grapes changes from … to …
fresh fruit to cooked fruit
What other changes happens to black grapes in the ripening process
Chemical compounds - Tannins - develop in the skins
why do grapes turn into raising after extra ripening
because water content in the grape evaporates
what are extra ripe grapes used for
to make sweet wines due to high sugar levels
Botrytis - other word for it and what is it
Botrytis is a fungus
also known as Noble Rot
Ideal conditions for noble rot
damp and misty morning to allow growth of fungus
followed by warm and dry afternoons, to limit the growth
Frozen grapes are used to make
Icewine / Eiswein - frozen / frost / ice
When are frozen grapes picked
late autumn / early winter after the first frost
Growing season in the norther hemisphere
April to October
Growing season in the southern hemisphere
October to April
why is temperature important for growing grapes
Determines what varieties can grow, as well as the flavours
cool climate - characteristics of wine / temperature
16.5C average temperature
Less alcohol & tannin
More Acid and lighter body
Moderate climate - temperature
16.5C-18.5C average temperature
Warm climate - characteristics of wine / temperature
18.5C to 21C average temperature
more alcohol & Tannin
Fuller body, less acidic
most vineyards are between which latitude fromt he equator
30 and 50 from the equator // north and south
Regions in warm climates close to sea benefit from ..
a moderating influence. cooled by the ocean
effect of rivers
are warmer in autumn and extend the growing season
reflect sunlight
effects of air
moderating effect on the climate ( cool down and warm up )
effects of clouds
block out sunlight - grapes take longer to ripen
effects of mist
in autumn are essential to develop botrytis / noble rot
effects of fog
cools down a vineyard. Has a moderating effect in warm climates
effects of mountains
act as a barrier - sheltering vineyards
Slope / aspect
If a vineyard is further from the equator and planted facing the equator it will receive more heat / sunlight
cool vintages - effects
slower to ripen, high acid levels, low sugars
hot vintage - effects
uncharacteristic dried fruit aromas can develop or sun damage
Drought effects
vine unable to ripen
high level of rain - effects
aid fungal diseases
close to harvest: grapes dilute their flavours - too much moisture
Training and pruning
trained on trellises
pruned to retain their required shape
Explain yield
measure of the number of grapes produced per unit of area
Grapes from early harvest - characteristics
lower levels of sugar, higher levels of acid
likely to have more herbaceous flavours
Grapes from late harvest - characteristics
higher levels of sugar, lower levels of acid
likely to have riper flavours
