D1.C5. Vineyard Establishment Flashcards
Why are the various stages of vineyard establishment hugely important?
Because many of the decisions made and processes carried out during this time are difficult to rectify once the vineyard has been planted
What is the key influence on site selection?
The style, quality and price of the wines to be made
Describe ideal site for producing high-volume, inexpensive or mid-priced wines.
A flat, fertile site in a warm, dry climate
How can the site selection change in different climates to produce premium to super-premium wines?
- In cool climates, the producer may look for sites that will maximise potential to ripen the grapes, such as those with aspects that will receive most sunshine throughout the day, as found in the Rheingau
- In warm climates the producer may favour relatively cool sites, such as those at high altitude, as seen in Lújan de Cuyo
What are the factors, other than natural resources, to be considered when selecting a vineyard site?
- The price of the land
- The location (e.g. frost pocket) , layout and topography (e.g. slopes) of the site
- Need for irrigation
- Ease of access to the vineyard site and distance from the winery
- Proximity of the vineyard and winery to towns and cities for labour, supplies, cellar door customers, retail or distribution
- Legal issues (PDO etc)
What are the main factors that a grape grower will need to assess and potentially rectify to ensure that the vineyard soil is suitable for planting?
- Drainage and structure of the soil
- Its mineral composition
- Presence of pests and unwanted plants
The structure of the soil is important for:
- Root penetration
- Water drainage
- Nutrient holding capacity
- Workability
What is “plough pan”?
If the land has previously been used for agriculture, an impervious layer of soil may have formed called “plough pan”
What is the solution for plough pan?
Subsoiling: Breaking down the plough pan before further cultivation can take place. This process promotes better drainage and makes the soil easier to cultivate once the vineyard has been established
What should be done to the old roots, if vines or other crops have been uprooted to plant new vines?
They should be removed and burnt as they can otherwise harbour disease
What is the best time to apply systemic herbicides to the soil?
After the other crops are uprooted and the soil is ploughed
How should farmyard manure be applied to the soil?
By ploughing (turning over the surface layer of the soil
and burying it), which incorporates these additions into the soil
What can be done for acidic soils like found in Beaujolais?
Lime (a calcium-based substance) can be spread on the soil and then ploughed in. Lime just applied to the soil surface can take a long time to have any effect
According to climate, which properties of vines are taken into account while selecting grapes to be grown?
- Time of budding: Riesling when spring frost risk is high
- Duration of annual life-cycle (ripening time): Chardonnay and Pinot Noir for cool climates, Mourvedre for the hot.
- Tolerance to drought (Grenache)
- Resistance to disease: Cabernet Sauvignon is less susceptible to grey rot than Merlot
- Winter hardiness: Vidal and Riesling
- Vigour: Sauvignon Blanc
Which factors, other than climatic ones, affect the selection of grapes to be grown?
- Style of wine: Gamay or Grenache for early drinking, Nebbiolo or Aglianico for aging
- Yield: Grenache for high yield, inexpensive wines
- Cost: Pinot Noir is prone to disease
- Law: If you want to produce Prosecco, you can only plant Glera
- Availability
- Market demand
