general questions Flashcards
What is viticulture?
The study of grape growing developed in conjunction with cultivation of the vine.
When was the first vine cultivated?
5000 years before the common era.
What are some viticulture decisions that have to be made?
vine training pruning methods canopy management fertilization irrigation harvest dates disease control monitor development of vine root stock selection how to harvest - hand vs. mechanization
when does bud break occur?
When average air temperature surpasses 50 degrees.
When does flowering occur?
6 to 13 weeks after initial bud break, but can depend on climate.
how long does it take for the vine to flower?
About 10 days.
What is fruit set?
When the vine’s embryo bunches self pollinate during flowering. Pollinated embryos grow into grape clusters
On average, how many flowers pollinate?
30%
What is shatter?
Embryo berries that fall off the cluster.
What is unique about flowering?
Each grape is the product of an individual fertilization.
When does verasion occur?
Usually occurs in August.
What is verasion?
Grapes truly begin to ripen.
sugars move from the leaf system to the berry
grapes soften and change color
acidity in grapes decreases as sugars increase
Does verasion affect a bunch of grapes uniformly?
No, it affects individual grapes. It may not evenly affect a whole cluster of grapes.
When does cane ripening occur?
The canes ripen in tandem with verasion. The stems on each shoot lignify or accumulate carbohydrates to sustain the plant through winter.
When does harvest occur?
Typically when the grapes have achieved an optimal balance of sugar and acid. This can be as early as late August and may last through the beginning of November.
