Growing Environment, Vine Plant Flashcards
As a region gets warmer in the EU zones of production how do regulations regarding minimum alcohol, acidification and chapatilization change?
Minimum potential alcohol increases, level to which must can be enriched decreases, deacidification becomes illegal and acidification becomes legal.
How does temperature affect yield?
Affects rate of vine growth, number of flower clusters produced and their size, success of flowers setting into berries
How does temperature affect quality?
Affects level of yield obtained, accumulation of sugars, reduction of acidity, development of wine aromas and precursors
How does sunshine intensity affect yield and quality?
Indirect effect on vine growth due to heat accumulation
Direct effect on bud viability, initiation of vine flowers, berry ripening, cane maturation, rate of photosynthesis
What is a cool climate? What grapes are appropriate? What are typical regions?
Growing season average temperature is below 16 degrees
Appropriate for early ripening grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
Typical regions: Champagne, Mosel, Southern England, Marlborough, Tasmania, Anderson Valley, parts of Carneros
What is a moderate climate? What grapes are appropriate? What are typical regions?
Growing season average temperature is 16.5-18.5 degrees
Appropriate for intermediate ripening grapes: CS, Merlot, Sangiovese (results in medium-bodied wines)
Typical regions: Northern Rhone, Rioja, Piedmont, Tuscany, Coonwarra, moderate parts of Napa and Sonoma
What is a warm climate? What grapes are appropriate? What are typical regions?
Growing season average temperature is 18.5-21 degrees
Appropriate grapes: Grenache, Mourvedre, Ruby Cabernet, Port, Liquer Muscat
Typical regions: Southern Rhone, Douro, McLaren Valley, Paarl
What is a hot climate? What grapes are appropriate? What are typical regions?
Growing season average temperature is over 21 degrees
Appropriate grapes: table and drying grapes
Typical regions: Jerez, San Joaquin Valley
What are the characteristics of a Maritime climate?
Annual temp range: low
Rainfall: high
Ripening period: long with moderate temp
Regions: Bordeaux, Muscadet, Rias Baixas, Vinho Verde, Southern England
What are the characteristics of a Mediterranean climate?
Annual temp range: low
Rainfall: dry summer, wet winter
Ripening period: N/A
Regions: Mediterranean, US west coast, Chile, SE Australia, South Africa Cape
What are the characteristics of a Continental climate?
Annual temp range: high
Rainfall: dry
Ripening period: short
Regions: Mendoza, central Europe, central Spain
What are the characteristics of a Tropical climate?
Annual temp range: minimal
Rainfall: seasons defined by rainfall
Ripening period: twice a year
Regions: Brazil, India
Why is Mendoza able to grow Malbec and CS?
Mendoza is a warm continental climate (dry, warm) which decreases rot risk. This means that grapes can be harvested later and allowing grapes such as Malbec and CS to ripen fully.
What are characteristics of wines from cool continental climates?
Intense flavour, late harvest, high alcohol white
Sweet: Alsace vendage tardive
Dry: Wauchau, Austria Smaragd
What is mesoclimate?
Site climate
What characteristics should a grape grower look for in a mesoclimate?
Aspect (cool climate: southerly aspect)
Water
Surrounding vegetation
What is the advantage of a vineyard on an isolated hill? What are some examples?
An isolated hill is not affected by large cold currents from a main hill.
Examples: Corton at Aloxe-Corton, Burgundy and Montagne de Reims, Champagne
What is microclimate?
Canopy climate
What is the effect of a thick, vigorously growing canopy in a cool climate?
- Increased shade reduces flower initiation and berry set
- Cool temp results in higher acid retention
- Increased humidity and shade reduces sugar accumulation
- Increased competition between shoot tips and berries for sugar reduces berry ability to ripen
What is a climatic indice?
An index to evaluation potential and existing vineyard sites and determine suitable varieties
What is Amerine and Winkler Cat I?
GDD below 1370
Light-bodied white wines
Chablis, Mosel Valley, Champagne
What is Amerine and Winkler Cat II?
GDD 1370-1650
Medium-bodied red whies
Napa, Bordeaux, Northern Rhone
What is Amerine and Winkler Cat III?
GDD 1650-1930
Full-bodied red wine
Barossa Valley, Stellenbosch, Southern Rhone
What is Amerine and Winkler Cat IV?
GDD 1930-2200
Fortified wine
What is Amerine and Winkler Cat V?
GDD over 2200
Bulk wine, table and drying graes