Chris' Notebook: Guildsomm Viticulture

Question 1

What is viticulture?

Answer 1

The study of growing grapes.

Question 2

When did vines first become domesticated?

Answer 2

5000 years ago, 3000 BC. (approx)

Question 3

What was Charlemagne’s influence in Burgundy?

Answer 3

Directed the planting of vines on the hill of Corton, “where the snow melted first”.

Question 4

When does the vine leave dormancy?

Answer 4

When the air reaches an average temperature of 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Question 5

When does Budbreak occur?

Answer 5

Between March and April, depending on climate.

Question 6

What is the vine most vulnerable to after budbreak?

Answer 6

Frost

Question 7

When does flowering occur?

Answer 7

6-13 weeks after budbreak, depending on the climate

Question 8

After ten days of flowering, what occurs?

Answer 8

Self polination, fertilization, then fruitset.

Question 9

What are some dangers during flowering?

Answer 9

Very sensitive to cold, wind, and frost.

Question 10

About how much fruit is lost during Fruitset?

Answer 10

About 70%

Question 11

How are the grapes in July?

Answer 11

Hard, High Acid, Low Sugar

Question 12

Describe Veraison

Answer 12

The grapes ripen, increase in sugar (drawn from the leaves), grapes soften, change colour, and acid decreases.

Question 13

What is millerandage?

Answer 13

Uneven ripening of grape bunches, leading to different stages of berries on the same bunch. Common with Zinfandel.

Question 14

What is Cane Ripening?

Answer 14

Canes start to accumulate carbohydrates to sustain them through the winter.

Question 15

What is Vendange?

Answer 15

French for Harvest

Question 16

When does Harvest start?

Answer 16

As early as August or as late as November

Question 17

What is phenolic ripening?

Answer 17

Rather than measuring the sugar and acid of the grape, it takes into account the quality of the seeds and stems.

Question 18

Between what latitudes does most vitis vinifera growing occur?

Answer 18

between 30 and 50 degrees of latitude.

Question 19

What is the minimum amount of sunshine hours for quality grape growing?

Answer 19

1300 sunshine hours

Question 20

How much rain is needed to ripen?

Answer 20

20-30 inches of rain.

Question 21

What climate has the ideal rainfall? Describe it

Answer 21

Mediterranean Climate, with an abundance of rain in Winter and Spring, and dry summers.

Question 22

What is the effect of Water stress on the vine?

Answer 22

Smaller berries, lower yields.

Too much can shut down the vine.

Question 23

What are the dangers of too much water?

Answer 23

Dilutes fruit quality, creates conditions for fungal growth.

Question 24

What is the danger of too much wind? What is the boon?

Answer 24

Too much wind can undermine flowering, and wind chill can be harmful to the wood of vines in the winter.

Wind can also keep grapes dry, and prevent fungal diseases.

Question 25

What are the three Climate sizes?

Answer 25

Macro Climate (regional climate), Mesoclimate (the vineyard), microclimate (unique climate around each vine)

Question 26

What are some things that affect Macro Climates?

Answer 26

Proximity to water, placement in latitude

Question 27

What are some things that affect Mesoclimates?

Answer 27

Aspect, slope, drainage, soil type