Grape Varieties and Vineyard Management

Question 1

Gamay
When does it bud and what adverse effect does that have?
What is Gamay Vulnerable to and what effects does that have?
What are the adverse effects of having a thin skin?
When does it Ripen? What is that good for?

Answer 1

• Early Budding, Susceptible to spring frost
• Millerandage (in cold, damp, windy condition)
  reduce’s yields
• Thin skins = Vulnerable to rot and wind
• early ripening = picked before autumn rains

Question 2

Gamay is a productive variety (High fertility) What measures can be taken in the Vineyard to ensure concentrated/ripe grapes?

Answer 2

Reducing the number of buds to restrain the high fertility

Question 3

Traditionally Bush vines were used in Beaujolais for Gamay, What are their benefits and where will you still see Bush vines?

Answer 3

• Gives protection from the wind

- Steeper slopes

Question 4

What method of harvest is used for Gamay in Beaujolais and why?

Answer 4

Hand harvest for Whole bunches.

this is required for the most common form of wine making in the region (cab-mac/semi-cab)

Question 5

Increasingly, Vines are trained on ___ to aid _____, Especially where the aim is to make _________ _____

Answer 5

Trellises to aid Mechanization

Inexpensive wines

Question 6

Chardonnay in Beaujolais.

Where to find it and on what soils?

Answer 6

• Usually found in the north bordering Macon Villages
• Best on Cooler marl/limestone
  (slows ripening, preserving acidity)