Climate & Viticulture Flashcards
What are the names of the two winds that surround the region?
Poniente (westerly) and Levante (easterly).
What humidity levels does each prevailing wind bring?
Poniente: Cool, 95% humidity.
Levante: Hot, 30% humidity.
What is Albariza soil comprised of?
Calcium Carbonate, Clay and Silica.
How much limestone does Tejón and Tosca Cerrada contain?
Tejón - 80%, Tosca Cerrada - 60%.
What benefits does Albariza soil bring to Sherry production?
Its high water retention and ability to swell during summer months preventing evaporation. It is also easy to work with benefiting the vine’s root system.
What other soils are used in Sherry production?
Barros and Arenas. The latter is used almost exclusively for the cultivation Moscatel de Alejandria.
What Baumé degree and acidity levels do palomino grapes reach?
11.2 degrees Baumé, and 3.8g/l acidity.
What is the yield limitation for Palomino?
70 hectoliters / ha.
What is the name for a row of vines?
Liños.
What orientation are Liños planted?
North to South, to allow maximum sunlight.
What is ‘aserpiado’?
The practice of soil tillage that aims to retain as much water in the winter and conserve soil moisture in the summer.
What year does a vine become a mature plant?
The fourth year.
How long does a mature vine stay in production?
30-35 years.
How many grapes on average does a mature vine produce?
7-9 bunches or 6.5lb of grapes.
How many vines per hectare are there in a typical vineyard?
Between 3,600 and 4,200 vines per hectare.
What is the vineyard production limit?
24,194lb (80hl/ha)
What is the ideal height for a vine?
60cm / 24in.
Where is Moscatel mostly produced?
Chipiona, because of its sandy soils near the sea.
What is the average Baumé and acidity of Pedro Ximénez?
12.8 degrees and 4.5g/l.
What is Vara y Pulgar?
A specific and traditional farming method where each year a Pulgar (1-2 buds) is left to form the Vara or this years harvest (8 buds) for next year. Each year this is rotated.
What is Castra y Recastra?
The pruning of unnecessary shoots that may compete with those that are beneficial. Also at this time Aserpia (work done to store water) is broken up to seal the soil for the hot summer months.
What is the minimum degree of Baumé for harvest?
10.5 degrees, with the average being 11-12.5 degrees.
What percentage of the harvest is mechanized?
50%.
