Grape varieties Flashcards
Grapes belong to genus ______
Vitis
Which species is used widely for commercial wine making
Vitis Vinifera
It is believed that the vitis vinifera grapes were developed in ________
Caucasus mountain region between Europe and Asia
What is the second most important grape speices
Vitis Labrusca
Where did Vitis Labrusca originate from
It is native to North America
Where and when were the Labrusca grapes found
They were found growing in wild in North America during the colonial period
What are the characteristics of Vitis labrusca
Sweet, flavourful, high in acidity but has an undesirable flavor which is pleasant in fresh grapes but not in wine. It is often referred to as Foxy
Which grape variety has natural resistance to phylloxera
North American vines
What is Phylloxera
A microscopic louse or aphid that lives on and eats the roots of grapes.
What is Scion
A young shoot of the vinifera that can be grafted onto the trunk or rootstock of north american vines to achieve phylloxera resistant plant
Name other North American vine species
Vitis Riparia, Vitis Aestivalis, Vitis Rupestris
Define species with example
A scientific grouping of plants or animals that are genetically similar, have broad characteristics in common, and can produce viable offspring through sexual reproduction. eg: vinifera, labrusca
Define Variety with example
A variety is an identifiable group of vines of the same species that share many characteristics of appearance, flavor and growth. Eg: Chardonnay and Syrah are varieties
What is a clone
In viticulture, the grape varieties are propagated by asexual means, that can be considered as clones or perfect copies of the parent grape. The term is usually used to mean grapes that are slightly different from their parent
Define Mutation with example
A mutation is derived from the vines that has developed different characteristics from its parents or fellow clones through imperfect reproduction of cells. It is a slow and a natural development that can lead to a new type of grape variety altogether.
Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris are considered to be mutual strains of Pinot Noir
What is Cross or Crossing with example
A cross is the offspring of sexual reproduction between different subspecies within the same species.
Eg: Cabernet Sauvignon is a cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc
What is Hybrid, give examples
A result of sexual reproduction between 2 closely related but different species such as Vitis Vinifera and Vitis Labrusca.
Eg: Sayval Blanc, Vidal Blanc and Baco Noir
Why were hybrid grape varieties developed
They are grown in an attempt to create a grape that could withstand ravages of powdery mildew, phylloxera, cold weather, humidity and other challenges.
Why are hybrids not universally accepted
They struggle to develop tannins and can be exceedingly acidic.
Hybrids are fertile. True or False
False, Hybrids are not fertile
What is an International grape variety
A group of grape varieties that have been found to thrive in a wide range of growing conditions and are currently grown in many areas throughout the world are International grape varieties
What do you mean by indigenous grape variety
Grape varieties that are planted in their native area are often referred to as traditional, native or indigenous.
Give examples of Indigenous and International grape varieties
International: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc
Indigenous: Airen, Nebbiolo, Xarel Lo, Xinomavro, Furmint
Name the top chardonnay producing countries
France, USA, Australia
