Grape Growing/Viticulture Flashcards
What factors affect wine style and wine quality
- Location/Geography
- Climate
- Topography
- Soil
- Grape Varieties planted
- Viticultural practice
What is climate
All of the natural influences of the specific growing area. Relatively consistent year in and year out.
Prevailing weather conditions
What is Topography
The “lay of the land”
Why is soil important?
composition
drainage
“Other” Factors affecting wine style & quality
- Yearly weather (vintage) variations
- Harvest - how are the grapes harvested?
- Historical Background
- Regional Wine Laws
Levels of Climate
Macroclimate?
Mesoclimate?
Microclimate
Macro = climate of wine region
Meso = climate of vineyard
Micro = climate around a single vine
What is the “fine wine” band
Bewtween 30 degrees and 50 degrees north latitudes and between 30 degrees and 50 degrees south latitudes
Continental Climate
- middle of large land mass
- high seasonality - 4 seasons
- High Diurnality - range of temps between day and night
Maritime climate
Proximity to a large body of water
Water helps moderate temperatures
More humidty and precipitations
Mediterranean climate
Near large body of water (unsually)
tends to be warmer and drier overall
Tropical/Desert climate
Hotter climates
Diurnal Shifts
Swings in temperature between day and night
Cooler temps at noght allow grapes to “rest” and lengthen ripining period.
Rain Shadow effect
mountain range with grape areas on one side of the mountain that blocks the weather on the other side.
Why is soil important?
Grape vines have roots that burrow into the soil looking for nutrients and water
The type of soil can affect this
Common soil types
- Granite
- Linestone
- Chalk
- Marl
- Schist
- Clay
- Sand
- Gravel
Important soil properties
- Drainage or water retention
- Sun Reflection
- Nutrient Content
- Temperature regulation
- Pest resistance
What are the genus and species of wine grapes?
Vitis Vinifera
* Native to Mediterranean, europe
* Over 10,000 varieties
How do you choose grape variety grown?
- Regional Wine Law
- Climate compatibility
- Soil compatibilty
- Marketability
What positive effect can wind have on a vineyard?
- Dry the vineyard to prevent disease
- Cool the vineyard
- Warm the vineyard
Why is green harvesting practiced?
Reduces the amount of fruit being produced by the vine and concentrates what remains.
What is Phylloxera?
A vine louse that destroyed many of the world’s vineyards in the mid-to-late 1800s
