England and Wales

Question 1

Modern grape growing started when?

Answer 1

After WWII

Question 2

First grapes of modern era were what?

Answer 2

German crosses

Hybrid varieties

Question 3

Traditional Champagne grapes planted when?

Answer 3

Late 1980s

Nyetimber 1988

Question 4

Chard, Pinot and Meunier what % of England and Wales planting and production

Answer 4

70%

Question 5

Sparkling white style

Answer 5

High acid
Medium alc
Light to med body
Apple, lemon, autolytic

Question 6

Hallmark of English sparkling?

Answer 6

High acid and just-ripe fruit

Question 7

Why is latitude important?

Answer 7

Northerly latitude (all vyds above 50)
Long daylight hours
Cool climate
Suitable for sparkling

Question 8

Southern England what % of all vyds

Answer 8

85%

Question 9

Climate of southern England

Answer 9

Cool maritime

Question 10

Average growing season temp England

Answer 10

14C

has risen from 13C

Question 11

What do cool temperatures do in the vyd?

Answer 11

Slow ripening
Slow sugar accumulation
Preserve acid
Medium intensity fruit

Question 12

What 2 factors increased frost risk?

Answer 12

1. Earlier budding (warmer spring now)

2. More early budding varieties planted (Chard, Pinot)

Question 13

Biggest threat to yields?

Answer 13

Prolonged rain
Affect flowering and fruit set
Reduce yields drastically

Question 14

2012 weather event?

Answer 14

Wettest June for 100 years
Some estates picked no fruit
Yields down

Question 15

Best exposition at northern latitudes?

Answer 15

South-facing slopes

More sunlight exposure

Question 16

Site selection considerations

Answer 16

South-facing (sun)
Wind shelter (from southwest)
Good drainage
Altitude below 125m

Question 17

Why is wind shelter important?

Answer 17

Prevailing winds from south-west
Can hinder glowering and fruit set, disperse heat
Apple orchards and hop fields

Question 18

Why is good drainage important?

Answer 18

Avoid regularly wet soils adn root zone

Question 19

Soil type in Kent and parts of Sussez

Answer 19

Clay

Question 20

Soil in Sussex and Hampshire

Answer 20

Chalk

Question 21

Benefit of chalk soils

Answer 21

Good drainage, low fertility

But usually on slopes - vulnerable to adverse weather

Question 22

Clay soils give what characters?

Answer 22

Lower acidity and more pronounced fruit

Question 23

Chalk soils give what characters?

Answer 23

Finnesse, higher acid, leaner body

Question 24

Chalk vs clay: impact in wine?

Answer 24

Chalk: finesse, high acid, lean body
Clay: low acid, more pronounced fruit

Question 25

Preferred vine training

Answer 25

Guyot system w/ VSP

Question 26

Why variation in vintage and yield?

Answer 26

Variable, cool, damp climate

Question 27

Average yields

Answer 27

24hl/ha

Question 28

Average yields greater or lesser than Champagne?

Answer 28

One-third to one-quarter the yield of Champagne

Question 29

Mostly vintage or NV?

Answer 29

Mostly vintage

Question 30

Min lees ageing?

Answer 30

9 months

Question 31

MLF used?

Answer 31

Yes, widely

Reduce very high acid (cold climate)

Question 32

Six varieties for PDO sparkling?

Answer 32

Chardonnay
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir Precoe
Meunier
Pinot Blanc
Pinot Gris

Question 33

Max yield for PDO

Answer 33

80hl/ha

but average is 25hl/ha

Question 34

Land under vine

Answer 34

3,600ha (growing rapidly - more than 80% since 2015)

Question 35

% of sparkling exported?

Answer 35

8%