Grape Growing - Viticulture Flashcards
What is the definition of Viticulture?
The art and science of vine growing.
Location & Geography: what are four considerations?
- Site Selection: where exactly the grapes will be grown.
- Goals: the goals of the winemaker
- Regional Laws: are specific to each reason
- Financial Considerations: can be expensive but depends on region
What is the definition of climate?
Weather conditions in an area in general or over a long period of time. Includes temperature, humidity, air pressure, air pressure, rain fall, sunshine, cloud cover, and wind.
What is a macro-, meso-, and micro-climate?
Microclimate: entire region
Mesoclimate: particular vineyard
Microclimate: single vine rows
What is a continental climate?
Strong annual temperature variations due to lack of proximity to bodies of water. Hotter summers and colder winters.
What is a maritime climate?
A climate influenced by a large body of water. Mild temperature variations throughout the year.
What is a Mediterranean climate?
Hot and dry summers, coastal summers are mild due to cold water proximity.
What is a high desert climate?
Hot and dry summer. Daytime high temperatures, nighttime low temperatures.
What is a diurnal shift?
The difference between the average daytime high temperature and nighttime low temperature. This can affect the ripening of grapes and balance of sugar and acid.
What are sunshine hours?
The number of sunshine hours a vineyard or wine region receives in a vintage or growing season
What do bodies of water do?
They can cool or warm a region. Ex: river, lake, ocean
What does altitude do for grape growing?
Every 100 meter rise in elevation, temperature drops by one degree in warm/hot regions. Increased elevation = cooler temperatures that slow down grape ripening
What does wind do for grape growing?
Depending on the direction, grape growing can 1) cool a region, 2) warm and dry the air, and 3) help prevent mold.
What is the rain shadow effect?
One side of the mountain is dry while the opposite side is experiencing poor weather.
What is the benefit of growing grapes on the hillside?
1) better soil drainage
2) less fertile soil due to erosion
3) lower chance of frost
4) harder to maintain during growing and harvest
Explain the valley floor.
Pool air, susceptible to frost and overly fertile soil
What is aspect?
Facing toward or away from the sun
What are the soil types?
Clay, slate, limestone, granite, chalk, sand, shist
What are the tree grape species?
1) Vitis Labrusca
2) Vitis Riparia
3) Vitis Vinifera
Described the traits of Vitis Vinifera.
1) native to the Mediterranean, Europe, and SW Asia
2) most common Species for quality grape production
3) 10k varieties
What is the vintage?
The year the crop is produced. Each vintage can be a different indicator of style, quality, and price.
What is canopy management?
Managing the growth of leaves to shade or expose grapes and determine airflow.
What is irrigation?
Allowing the vine to have enough water in growing season.
Name the fungus and pests vines experience.
Fungi: Botrytis Cinera
Pest: Phylloxera
What is sugar ripeness?
The amount of sugar in the grape
What is physiological ripeness?
The ripeness of the grape in totality, including stems and seeds
What is tannin ripeness?
Ripeness associated with tannin
Describe hand harvesting v. Mechanical harvesting.
Hand harvesting: labor intensive and slower but more selective
Mechanical harvesting: economical and fast, can enhance quality of harvest especially in hot regions or with a storm incoming. Shakes the vines and takes in pests, leaves, and animals.
Describe small-bin versus large-bin.
Small-bin: careful cluster selection but limits the number of clusters
Large-bin: heavy weight can cause grapes to crush prematurely and begin fermentation
How is yield measured?
1) tons per acre
2) hectoliters per ton
3) pounds per vine
What is a green harvest?
Winemakers thin the crop to lower the yield and allow the vine to focus on fewer bunches
