D1-VITI Quiz on Vineyard Management Flashcards
What is the term used for nutrient and weed management techniques in the vineyard that…
Extracted from the ground or chemically manufactured, they can provide a single nutrient or several nutrients and are more targeted.
Mineral fertilizers
What is the term used for nutrient and weed management techniques in the vineyard that…
Involves ploughing the soil to cut or disturb the weeds’ root systems.
Cultivation
What is the term used for the nutrient and weed management technique in the vineyard that…
Spreads by hand on the vineyard fresh or composted plant or animal material, such as manure or slurry.
Organic fertilizers
What is the term used for the nutrient and weed management technique in the vineyard that…
Allows animals to eat the weeds in the vineyard.
Animal grazing
What is the term used for the nutrient and weed management technique in the vineyard that... spreads matter (usually biodegradable materials) onto the vineyard soil to suppress the growth of weeds.
Mulching
What is the term used for nutrient and weed management techniques in the vineyard that…
Introducing plants that are specifically planted, or allowed to grow, that have a beneficial effect on the vineyard.
Cover crops
What is the term used for nutrient and weed management techniques in the vineyard that…
Chemical sprays that kill weeds.
Herbicides
What does RDI stand for in relation to vineyard irrigation?
Regulated Deficit Irrigation
Briefly describe why the soils in the Médoc enable the production of high-quality wines, include the following:
The climate and the weather.
The composition of the soil.
Irrigation and drainage.
The climate is described as moderate maritime, moderate summers and winters with rainfall evenly spread through the year.
Free draining stony soils warm up more quickly in spring which influences the date of budburst. An earlier budburst can be beneficial in this moderate climate as it could potentially increase the length of the growing season, important for ripening Cabernet Sauvignon. Stony soils will also absorb heat which is then released back to the vines.
Irrigation is not necessary or permitted. The soils are gravel composition which allows for easy and quick drainage in this high rainfall area; water-logging is generally not an issue.
Briefly explain the main aims of vine canopy management and the effects they have on the vineyard and resultant grapes.
Maximise the effectiveness of light interception by the vine canopy thus maximising photosynthesis and potential grape sugars.
Reduce the shade within the canopy will help to regulate the temperature and enhance the development of flavour and aromas precursors during berry ripening.
Increase air circulation within the canopy to reduce potential fungal disease occurrence.
Provide a balance between the green growth and the reproductive functions (grapes) of the vine to ensure the vine can ripen the yield to a desired quality level.
To facilitate ease of management by machine and human labour.
Describe the ways yield are generally measured.
Tons per acre
Kilogram per hectare
Kilogram per vine
How much mm of water per year is required for a vine to successfully grow in cool climates, unless planted at very low vine densities?
500mm
How much mm of water per year is required for a vine to successfully grow in warm climates, unless planted at very low vine densities?
750mm
What will close on the leaves to try and limit water loss,
if the vine does not get enough water?
Stomata
Closing stomata on the leaves will have a negative impact on what?
Photosynthesis
If the vine does not receive water and the situation continues, it will die.
What can occur if vines are exposed to too much water?
Excessive vegetative growth
Too much water can stop grapes from as the fruit will be too .
Excessive vegative growth will stop as the fruit is to
High levels of rainfall can also make the canopy prone to what kind of diseases?
Fungal diseases
not bacterial
What is aides fungal diseases?
High humidity
What may occur if there are not good drainage systems in place or if the soils are not free draining?
Waterlogging
If the soil is not free draining or no good drainage is in place what will be nom longer available to the roots, that will ultimately kill the vine?
Oxygen
From waterlogging
If a region is particularly susceptible to high levels of rainfall, it’s important that the vineyard is designed in a way that lessens the effect of excess water. Planting vineyards on what can help improve drainage?
Slopes or on free-draining soil
What vineyard management options may be employed to combat winter freeze?
Burying the vines.
Planting vines near large/deep bodies of water.
Planting vines on hillsides
Plant vines in areas where snow settles.
Select frost/cold resistant species and rootstocks.
If a vineyard was located in a hot region of the Northern Hemisphere which vine row orientations would you avoid to try to counteract sunburn?
East to West
This aphid-like insect feeds on and lays eggs on the roots of grape vines. It weakens vine roots and causes swellings and cracks, which then lead to rot.
Phylloxera
Which vineyard pest feeds on the surface cells of leaves. This leads to discoloration of the leaves, a reduction in photosynthesis, delayed ripening and a reduction in yields.
Spider mites
Tiny worms which feed off vine roots, significantly reducing yields and vigour. They can cause slow, gradual decline or transmit viral diseases.
Nematodes
Feed on flowers and grapes. Often have several generations per season, which attack flowers in spring and grapes further on in the season. The wounds created are then susceptible to bacteria and fungi.
Grape moths
Name 4 vineyard pests
Phylloxera
Nematodes
Grape moths
Spider mites
Name 2 vineyard virusses
Leafroll
Fanleaf
Name 6 fungal diseases
Powdery mildew Downy mildew Grey rot Eutypa dieback Phomopsis Esca
Name 2 bacterial diseases
Pierce’s disease
Grapevine yellows
Briefly outline common management techniques employed in the vineyard to counteract phylloxera. Explain how these techniques help alleviate and eradicate the symptoms of phylloxera.
Choosing a phylloxera resistant rootstock is the main way to protect Vitis vinifera from being attacked by phylloxera, European vines have no resistance to this pest. The parentage of the rootstock should include an American vine species e.g. V. berlandieri.
Planting on sandy soils, if the choice is there, the pest cannot survive in this soil type.
Flooding a vineyard for a period of time is still practiced in some areas in Argentina. This is rarely practical but is effective at keeping the pest at bay.
Enforce quarantine boundaries to protect phylloxera free regions e.g Australia.
Plant material should come from certified nurseries.
Explain in detail how a wine producer may choose to define the ripeness of their grapes, and therefore when the grapes should be harvested. Take into account the following:
The different ways ripeness can be defined.
How climate and weather effect ripeness.
How the date of harvest can have an impact on the subsequent style of wine.
Ripeness can be defined by the producer as the grapes being ripe for the desired style of wine. The ripeness of the grapes will be measured by a set of parameters including grape sugars, aroma profile, tannin ripeness and acidity.
Climate and weather impact on the ripeness of the fruit and as a general guide, in warmer wine growing regions the sugars tend to be high and the acidity lower which contrasts with cooler climates where sugars can be low and acidity high. Aroma and tannin are impacted by temperature and depending on how warm or cool it is, this will influence the levels of aroma precursors, like methoxypyrazines. Sunshine on black grapes promotes tannin accumulation and polymerisation which impacts on the astringency of the tannins.
The date of harvest has a significant influence on the wine style, but it also gives options to the producer i.e picking on sugar levels can mean harvesting earlier in warmer sites or leaving the grapes longer on the vine in cooler sites to achieve the desired levels. This can be said for the other parameters also. The producer needs to understand how the climatic factors of temperature, sunlight and available water influence the grapes, then the decision to harvest can be made in light of the desired wine style.
Briefly outline the main advantages and disadvantages of both hand harvesting and machine harvesting. Be sure to include details on when and why these methods may be preferred or necessary.
HAND HARVESTING
Advantages: Selection can happen in the vineyard by the pickers i.e. removing diseased and unripe fruit
There is no issue for sloped vineyards, mixed varietals within a parcel and irregular planting density
Disadvantages: High cost of labour, including the management of ensuring pickers follow the guidelines on what to pick. Slower to mobilise labour at short notice if weather changes suddenly. Pickers might be limited to daylight hours. Hand harvesting is essential for picking fruit infected by noble rot, this fungus attacks the berries and not the bunches. When whole bunch pressing is required, i.e for Champagne, or if carbonic/semi-carbonic maceration is used.
MACHINE HARVESTING
Advantages: For vineyards over a certain size, this is a cheaper option in the longer term. Reliable and available at any time, unlike labour. Greater flexibility, i.e response to adverse weather can be immediate. Picking is not restricted by time of day
Disadvantages: Skins are invariably broken and need to be protected from oxidation and microbial spoilage, depending on the wine style. Not suitable for steep slopes
A very expensive piece of equipment which may be prohibitive for many small to mid sized producers
Machine harvesting equipment has improved greatly in recent years with the inclusion of optical sorting. This reduces the need for pre- and post-harvest sorting of the grapes.
