Extra-curricula Flashcards
What are the 3 key practices to express terroir in wines?
- Timing of phenology
- Water deficit
- Moderate to low Nitrogen
Source: Presentation ‘Interactions of climate, soil and grapevines on wine and terroir’ by Kees van Leeuwen, professor of viticulture at Bordeaux Sciences Agro, and Bordeaux University’s Institut des Sciences de la Vigne et du Vin
Why is timing of phenology important in producing quality fruit (and thus in expressing terroir)?
To achieve high terroir expression, precocity of the grape varieties should match the local climatic conditions, so as to obtain full ripeness at (not before) the end of the season: 10SEP-10OCT in the Northern Hemisphere.
Grapes should not ripen early in the season, because quick fruit ripening in warm conditions limits aroma synthesis.
Grapes that would not attain full ripeness are too acidic, with low sugar and little aroma development.
Why is a water deficit important in producing quality fruit (and thus in expressing terroir)?
Water deficit results in higher quality fruit, because it induces:
- Early shoot growth cessation
- Reduced berry size
- Lower malic acid
- Higher Anthocyanins

Why is moderate to low nitrogen important in producing quality fruit (and thus in expressing terroir)?
Moderate to low nitrogen results in higher quality fruit as a result of:
- Lower vigour, yield and especially berry weight
- Lower acidity
- Higher sugar and Anthocyanins

What is climate?
The annual weather pattern of an area averaged over several decades
Why do they use Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in some continental regions
- They are early-ripening varieties
- In Champagne, Northern regions of Germany and British Columbia there’s long day length but temperatures drop more rapidly in autumn
- => shorter growing season
- => less sunlight and warmth available to the vine at the end of the growing season.
How many Growing Degree Days (GDD) in Amerine Winkler Category I
Below 1370
what is the effect of temperature on photosynthesis?
In cool temperatures, the rate of photosynthesis slows.
What is soil profile
Reveals the different structural and textural soil types
Reveals the depth of the layers
Reveals if there are any drainage or root barriers in the soil
The best fruit comes from
Densely planted, small vines growing on infertile soils.
At what temperature is wine dormant
Below 10 C
When is the growing season in the northern hemisphere?
April to October?
What is Granite
Igneous rock, formed from magma. extremely hard and dense but still free draining.
When is a climate continental?
large difference between the average mean temperature of the hottest month and the coldest month.
explain photosynthesis
Sunlight
H2O Glucose
Chlorophyl Sucrose
CO2 Fructose
Vines grow best on soils with ______________ fertility.
low
What is Aspect
- the direction a vineyard slope faces
- an important charerteristic of a vineyard site where more or less exposure to sun is required
Explain freeze injury to dormant vinifera wood :
- begins at -15°C
- serious at -20°C
- can be fatal at -25°C
unless the vine is insulated by snow or earth pushed up around the vine
EU zone B : What is the acid adjustment (tartaric)?
-1 to + 2,5 g / L
Aeration is affected by
Capacity of the soil to drain effectively.
Canopy climate is called
Microclimate
Temperature _____________ with every 100 meter rise above sea level (altitude–.
Decreases by 0.6 degrees Celsius
What pH grape vines cant tolerate, why
pH bellow 5, aluminium becomes available which poisones the plant.
What are the advantages of sandy or gravelly soils?
- have very good drainage, lower water-retaining capacity
- encourage a vine to grow longer roots which search for water
- benefit from more consistent water levels
- warm up more quickly in spring
- are generally warmer than clay soils