Growing Environment

Question 1

What temperature does a vine go dormant and why is Heat so important for the vine?

Answer 1

If temps drop below 10 degrees the vine cannot grow therefore in winter they go dormant. Vines need enough heat in order to flower, fruit set and ripen.

Question 2

Latitude

Answer 2

Most vineyards are between 30 degrees - 50 degrees however factors other than latitude can make an area outside of these limits suitable for viticulture.

Question 3

Altitude

Answer 3

As altitude increases temps drop. Therefore areas with high altitude such as Cafayate northern Argentina can successfully grow vines close to the equator.

Question 4

Ocean Currents

Answer 4

Major currents transport large volumes of warm and cool water across the ocean surface. This leads to localised warming or cooling in certain wine regions. Humboldt current off Chile and Benguela current off South Africa cool the warm regions down whereas the jet stream warms vineyards in Northern Europe up.

Question 5

Fog

Answer 5

Fog cools vineyards down which would normally be too warm to grow grapes. Most notably California and Casablanca valley

Question 6

What are the two types of Soil and what is its key purpose?

Answer 6

Soils that are darker in colour and have a stone or rocky content absorb warmth from the sun and reradiate better than lighter coloured soil. Crucial in cool climates. Soils with higher water content take more energy to warm and longer for buds to burst

Question 7

Aspect

Answer 7

This is the direction in which the slope faces. Vineyards with an aspect which face the equator receive more heat. Northern hemisphere south facing slopes get most warmth whereas southern hemisphere north facing vineyards equally get the same amount of heat. Steeper slopes benefit even more which is seen in mosel Germany

Question 8

Continentality

Answer 8

This is the temperature difference between the warmer months and cooler months. Regions near Large bodies of water such as seas and lakes take longer to warm up and cool down and therefore have a cooling and warming effect in summer and winter. A regions continentality usually determines the length of growing season as well as which grape varieties should be grown there.

Question 9

Diurnal Range

Answer 9

The difference between daytime and night time temperatures. Cool nights help slow the loss of aromas and acidity in grapes. Warm nights accelerate ripening.

Question 10

High continentality

Answer 10

Have larger differences in temperature between seasons

Question 11

Low Continentality

Answer 11

See less variations in temperature between seasons.

Question 12

What affects diurnal range?

Answer 12

A vineyards proximity to seas, lakes and rivers. They can hold enough warmth to heat the adjacent vineyard through the night.

Cloud cover - temps drop quickly over night when there are no clouds and rise slowly in the morning.

Question 13

Temp hazards - Winter

Answer 13

If temps fall below -20c the vine can be seriously damaged especially the graft. If there is a mild winter or no winter, the vine doesn’t go dormant and there is a risk of a second crop which shortens the life of the vine and affects the quality of the grapes

Question 14

What are the affects of Spring Frosts and how can they be mitigated?

Answer 14

Air below 0c collects at ground level and freezes any water vapour on the ground or vine. If this happens to newly burst buds or shoots it can kill them.
Heaters - placed throughout vineyard to move air around
Sprinklers - spray water onto ground and vines which releases heat into plant tissue
Wind machine- brings warmer air from above onto the ground
Thoughtful vineyard design - cool air sinks to the lowest point. Vines that are planted mid slope are affected less by frost.

Question 15

Growing Season - Cool temps

Answer 15

Cool temps in spring can delay bud burst, which shortens the growing season and affects the ripeness of the grapes at harvest.
Flowering and fruit set can also be affected reducing yields

Question 16

Growing season - Hot temps

Answer 16

Hot temps can also be harmful. In prolonged hot periods the ripening can slow and stop even if there is sufficient water.
Heat also increases the risk of wild fires which can burn vineyards and wineries down
Smoke can also taint the flavours or the grapes giving plastic artificial aromas. The affects can be reduced in the winery but can never fully go

Question 17

Sunlight

Answer 17

Vines need sunlight in order for photosynthesis to happen. The more light the move affective photosynthesis will be providing more sugar and riper grapes. Flowering and fruit set can also benefit from sunlight

Question 18

Factors affecting sunlight

Answer 18

Latitude - day length during the growing season is important in regions further away from the equator, which gives the grapes more opportunity for the sun to ripen the grapes
Seas and lakes - vineyards near large bodies of water tend to be cloudier, vineyards in land tend to be sunnier. Vineyards situated above rivers and lakes can benefit from reflected sunlight.
Aspect - steeper slopes facing the sun allow for more sunlight. Very important in vineyards which are closer to the poles as the sun’s energy is less the further from the equator.

Question 19

Transpiration

Answer 19

Where water evaporates through the vines leaves

Question 20

Rainfall

Answer 20

Rainfall is the most important source of water but if it’s sufficient it needs to be supplemented with irrigation.

Question 21

Drip Irrigation

Answer 21

Most common. Each vine has its own dripper which is computer controlled and makes sure the vine gets optimum amount of water.

Question 22

Sprinklers

Answer 22

These pump water and shower the vines. A lot of waste and can create a damp environment where fungal disease can spread. Can also be used for frost prevention

Question 23

Flood Irrigation

Answer 23

This is cheap but can only be used in flat or slightly sloped vineyards with access to large quantities of water

Question 24

Water hazards - Drought

Answer 24

If there is a drought vines can stop transpiration to preserve water. Drought can cause vines to suffer from water stress. This is where photosynthesis stops, flowers wilt and grapes fail to ripen

Question 25

Too much water

Answer 25

If there is too much water thought growing season, vines will over produce shoots and leaves leaving less sugar for grapes to ripen. The each leaves and shoots will also shade the grapes from the sunlight and they will not ripen enough.
Waterlogging can also occur killing roots through lack of oxygen
Rain during flowering and fruit set can reduce the amount of berries produced
Damp conditions that follow heavy rain can create a damp environment where fungal disease can thrive.
Heavy rain before harvest can swell the grapes reducing flavours in the wine and can also split the skin attracting final diseases

Question 26

Hail

Answer 26

Hail is damaging to both vines and grapes. Mendoza Argentina id particular prone to hail storms and nets have been installed at great cost to reduce the affects. Growers can reduce the risk of losing all their crop by spreading their vineyards across multiple sites as hail storms tend to be localised

Question 27

Cool climate

Answer 27

Average 16.C or below

Question 28

Moderate climate

Answer 28

Average 16.5.c to 18.5.c

Question 29

Warm Climates

Answer 29

18.5.c to 21.c

Question 30

Hot Climates

Answer 30

In excess of 21.c

Question 31

Continental climates
(High continentality)

Answer 31

Greatest difference in temperatures between hottest and coolest months.
Short summers
Large drop in temp in autumn
Regions such as Chablis and champagne have a risk of frost in growing season
Suitable for varieties that bud later and ripen earlier such as Sauvignon blanc, meunier, pinot noir, Chardonnay

Question 32

Maritime Climates - (Low Continentality)

Answer 32

Cool to moderate climates with low annual difference between hottest and coldest months
Rain tends to be spread evenly throughout the year

Question 33

Mediterranean Climate

Answer 33

Low temp difference between hottest and coldest moths
Summers tend to be warm and dry
Conditions found in med, coastal California, chile, South Africa and Australia
Extra warmth and sunlight leads to higher alcohol levels, riper tannins, full body and low acidity

Question 34

Soil composition

Answer 34

Tiny particles
Larger stones and rock
Humus

Question 35

Stones, Sand and Clay

Answer 35

Size of soil particles crucial
Stones are not always present in a vineyard but on the surface they can absorb heat and warm vineyard up
Soil is also made up of sand largest part and clay smallest part

Question 36

Humus

Answer 36

Decomposing plant or animal material which is full of nutrients and excellent water retaining properties

Question 37

Soil and water

Answer 37

Soil needs a large supply of water early in the growing season to support shoot and leaf growth

Question 38

Vine Stress

Answer 38

This is where the vine is slightly stressed in order to promote water and nutrients going to grapes and not other areas of the vine

Question 39

Soil and water retention

Answer 39

Water is stored by clay and humus binding together.
If the soil has too much clay it will water log the vine
Best combination is sand and clay which is called loam

Question 40

Soil and nutrients - 3 nutrients

Answer 40

Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium

Question 41

Soil and Nutrients - High nutrient levels

Answer 41

Vines don’t need high levels of nutrients. If they do they over produced leaves and shoots which provide a thick canopy shading the grapes from the sun which will prevent them ripening

Question 42

Chlorosis

Answer 42

This is where the vine has a lack of nutrients.
This turns leaves yellow, and restricts photosynthesis
Grapes struggle to ripen properly and their quality and quantity is reduced
Problem can be solved by using fertiliser