Grape Growing And Viticulture

Question 1

What is viticulture

Answer 1

The art and science of vine growing

Question 2

Factors that effect wine quality and style

Answer 2

Geography, topography, climate, soil type, grape verities, viticulture practices

Question 3

How does a cool climate effect the grape

Answer 3

Ripens slowly, less sugar, high acid, low alcohol, more tart and lean, less ripe and juicy

Question 4

How does a warm climate effect the grape

Answer 4

Ripen fully, more sugar, low acid, high alcohol, more lush and juicy

Question 5

What are the latitudinal zones for grape growing

Answer 5

30 and 50

Question 6

How does the skin of the grape affect flavor

Answer 6

Tannins(structure and astringency), color, flavor and aromas,

Question 7

How does pulp of a grape affect flavor

Answer 7

Water, sugar,acid, seeds(bitter)

Question 8

How does water moderate climate

Answer 8

Rivers, lakes, oceans.

Helps warm or cool an area, more moderate temperatures and lessens the diurnal shift.

Question 9

How do mountains help moderate climate change

Answer 9

Rain shadow effect, elevation, wind

Question 10

What decisions are made in the vineyard and what is there impact

Answer 10

Spacing- in nutritious soil, vines should be planted closer together to compete

Training-

Yield- higher yields can reduce the quality of the final product but be more cost effective short term

Green harvest- trining clusters before harvest allows the remaining clusters to get more nutrients

Harvest- hand picking, whole cluster, or machine will effect quality of the final product. How big of a bucket will determine how many grapes get crushed prematurely

Question 11

How does frost/freeze impact the vine

Answer 11

Damage or kill vines/ buds/ or flowers

Question 12

How does hail effect the vines

Answer 12

Can shatter grapes on the vine or damage limbs

Question 13

How does strong winds effect the vines

Answer 13

Blow vines over, blow off buds or flowers

Question 14

What is a diurnal shift

Answer 14

Large temperature swing between day and night

Question 15

Large diurnal shifts effect

Answer 15

Slows the ripening usually lending to higher quality and complexity

Question 16

How does sunshine effect the grapes

Answer 16

Thickens the skins ( known for imparting tannins/ color/ flavors/ aromas)

Ripens the grape lowering the acidity, easing the sugar levels, ultimately producing a higher alcohol wine

Question 17

Gravely soil vs clay

Answer 17

Gravel - tends to warm and retain and emit heat throughout the night warming vines. Drains well and does not retain much moisture.

Clay- holds and emits no heat, does not drain well.

Question 18

Mesoclimate

Answer 18

Climate of a single vineyard site

Question 19

Microclimate

Answer 19

Climate of a single vine

Question 20

Macro climate

Answer 20

Climate of an area/ region/ appellation

Question 21

Climate defined by its proximity to a large body of water

Answer 21

Maritime

Question 22

What is phylloxera

Answer 22

Vine louse the decimated 1/3 of worlds vineyards in mid to late 1800’s

Question 23

Positive effects of wind

Answer 23

Combat mold by introducing dry air

Cooling and warming of the vines

Question 24

What is rain shadow effect

Answer 24

Area on the other side of a mountain opposite a body of water. Generally better weather, dryer/ more sun

Question 25

Examples of regions that have rain shadows

Answer 25

Eastern Washington
Alsace France
Mendoza
Rioja Spain

Question 26

What vine species produces most quality grape verities

Answer 26

Vitis vinifera