D1-VITI Quiz on Vineyard Management

Question 1

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.

Answer 1

Mineral fertilizers

Question 2

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.

Answer 2

Cultivation

Question 3

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.

Answer 3

Organic fertilizers

Question 4

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.

Answer 4

Animal grazing

Question 5

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.

Answer 5

Mulching

Question 6

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.

Answer 6

Cover crops

Question 7

What is the term used for nutrient and weed management techniques in the vineyard that…
Chemical sprays that kill weeds.

Answer 7

Herbicides

Question 8

What does RDI stand for in relation to vineyard irrigation?

Answer 8

Regulated Deficit Irrigation

Question 9

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.

Answer 9

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.

Question 10

Briefly explain the main aims of vine canopy management and the effects they have on the vineyard and resultant grapes.

Answer 10

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.

Question 11

Describe the ways yield are generally measured.

Answer 11

Tons per acre
Kilogram per hectare
Kilogram per vine

Question 12

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?

Answer 12

500mm

Question 13

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?

Answer 13

750mm

Question 14

What will close on the leaves to try and limit water loss,

if the vine does not get enough water?

Answer 14

Stomata

Question 15

Closing stomata on the leaves will have a negative impact on what?

Answer 15

Photosynthesis

If the vine does not receive water and the situation continues, it will die.

Question 16

What can occur if vines are exposed to too much water?

Answer 16

Excessive vegetative growth

Question 17

Too much water can stop grapes from as the fruit will be too .

Answer 17

Excessive vegative growth will stop as the fruit is to

Question 18

High levels of rainfall can also make the canopy prone to what kind of diseases?

Answer 18

Fungal diseases

not bacterial

Question 19

What is aides fungal diseases?

Answer 19

High humidity

Question 20

What may occur if there are not good drainage systems in place or if the soils are not free draining?

Answer 20

Waterlogging

Question 21

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?

Answer 21

Oxygen

From waterlogging

Question 22

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?

Answer 22

Slopes or on free-draining soil

Question 23

What vineyard management options may be employed to combat winter freeze?

Answer 23

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.

Question 24

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?

Answer 24

East to West

Question 25

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.

Answer 25

Phylloxera

Question 26

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.

Answer 26

Spider mites

Question 27

Tiny worms which feed off vine roots, significantly reducing yields and vigour. They can cause slow, gradual decline or transmit viral diseases.

Answer 27

Nematodes

Question 28

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.

Answer 28

Grape moths

Question 29

Name 4 vineyard pests

Answer 29

Phylloxera
Nematodes
Grape moths
Spider mites

Question 30

Name 2 vineyard virusses

Answer 30

Leafroll

Fanleaf

Question 31

Name 6 fungal diseases

Answer 31

Powdery mildew
Downy mildew
Grey rot
Eutypa dieback
Phomopsis
Esca

Question 32

Name 2 bacterial diseases

Answer 32

Pierce’s disease

Grapevine yellows

Question 33

Briefly outline common management techniques employed in the vineyard to counteract phylloxera. Explain how these techniques help alleviate and eradicate the symptoms of phylloxera.

Answer 33

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.

Question 34

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.

Answer 34

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.

Question 35

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.

Answer 35

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.