England & Wales Flashcards
ENGLAND & WALES -Highlights
When did viticulture start in England and Wales?
Modern viticulture started after WW2 using German hybrids
Late 1980s Chard, PN and PM were planted for sparking wine
- response positive
- 70% of what is now planted
ENGLAND & WALES -Highlights
Characteristics of sparkling wines here
high acidity, med abv, light to med body
flavors: apple and lemon with autolytic notes
just ripe fruit- distinctive characteristic
quality of very good to outstanding examples
premium to super premium
rose also made
ENGLAND & WALES -Growing Env & Grape
suitability for sparking?
vineyards are above the 50 degree latitude
long daylight, cool climate
make for traditional method possible
85% of production are vineyards in southern England
ENGLAND & WALES -Growing Env & Grape
Climate temp?
region experiences cool, maritime climate
average seasonal temp is 13C (55F)
cool temp= long slow ripening season needed
slow sugar accumulation, preservation of acidity
medium intensity fruit character
ENGLAND & WALES -Growing Env & Grape
Climate warming trend affects?
Has helped fruit to ripen, raising quality
Extreme weather events:
1 heavy rain
2 risk of frost damage for early budders like Chard & PN vs. hybrid varietal
ENGLAND & WALES -Growing Env & Grape
threats to yields?
prolonged rain.
maritime climate rain & cool temp in June and July affects
flowering and fruit set which affect yields
eg. 2012 wettest June in 100 years
rain during harvest cat be a threat in quality
managing vineyard for timely spraying
ENGLAND & WALES -Growing Env & Grape
site selection factors to consider?
- south facing slopes for max sun exposure
- max shelter from prevailing winds that are generally SW facing
wind/ rain hinder flower & fruit set & disperse heat
former apple orchards or hop field with aspects other than south may be preferred if they offer shelter
- good drainage- avoid wet soil, need naturally draining or installed drainage
- altitude below 125 M
ENGLAND & WALES -Growing Env & Grape
What soil types are found?
Clay in Kent and parts of Sussex
Chalk in Sussex and Hampshire
ENGLAND & WALES -Growing Env & Grape
benefits of Clay?
Kent and parts of Sussex
high water holding capacity and fertility
slightly lower acidity & more pronounce fruit
ENGLAND & WALES -Growing Env & Grape
benefits of Chalk?
Sussex and Hampshire –
key quality in Champagne lower density & fertility
on slopes at higher elevations
risk adverse weather
more finesse
leaner body
ENGLAND & WALES -Growing Env & Grape
Vineyards characteristics?
medium density 4,000-5,000 vine per hectare
to increase root competition & contain vigor
Guyot system with vertical shoot positioning
narrow rose with canes trained close to ground helps heat
canopies important to allow air and light to reach buds & fruit
reduce disease pressure & allow spays
ENGLAND & WALES -Growing Env & Grape
yield
given climate of cool and damp, vintage variation and fluctuating ___ normal
-low average due to marginal climate & increase plantings of
ENGLAND & WALES -Growing Env & Grape
yield leading to retail price?
Chard & PN can flower poorly in wet, cool climate
Average yield modest 24 mL/Ha best vineyards can achieve 2x
production highly variable and low amounts = premium & Super premium prices
ENGLAND & WALES -Winemaking
Varieties used in making sparking wine here?
majority production of white and rose is from Chard and PN
some PM
few made from German crossings and hybrids
ENGLAND & WALES -Winemaking
Production method used
Traditional method predominantly vintage wines
Lees ageing varies w/ min of 9 months with EU reg for quality wine with PDO
Oak maturation for texture -some producers
Unoaked- majority of producers
MLF widely used to reduce acidity
