Harvest & Ripeness Flashcards
What Brix level are dry still wines generally harvested at?
What ABV range will this become?
19-25 Brix
11-15% ABV
What can be used to calculate acid levels
Titration
How is aroma and tannin ripeness usually ascertained?
Tasting (experience)
Machine harvesting is the default for?
————- to ———-priced wine and for ———scale production
Name a gentler more modern machine harvester?
Bow-rod shaking machine
Machine harvesting grapes at night can keep grapes up to xxxx degrees cooler?
15c
Keeping fruit for white fruity wines cool preserves?
Freshness of fruit aromas
List 3 wines that would be harvested by hand (and why)
Champagne - whole bunches required for whole bunch pressing
Beaujolais - carbonic / semi carbonic maceration requires whole bunches
Trockenbeerenauslese Riesling in Mosel - only pick botrytis affected grapes
Potential alc of grapes in Chablis?
10%
What region in California is known for growing large volumes of grapes for inexpensive wines?
Central Valley
What is the primary concern of grape growers in the Central Valley?
Maximise yield while keeping costs low
What type of growing season does the Central Valley have?
Warm, dry, sunny
What factor reduces issue of low rainfall in the Central Valley?
Irrigation is permitted
What is the typical planting density of vines per hectare in the Central Valley?
1200-1800 vines per hectare
What is the approximate yield of grapes per hectare in the Central Valley?
180-200 hl/ha
What influences the choice of grape variety in the Central Valley?
Market demand and price per ton
What is the common trellising technique used in the Central Valley?
California sprawl
How are the shoots managed in the California sprawl trellising technique?
They flop up and over a single wire
What is the advantage of the California sprawl trellising technique?
Cheap compared to other trellising systems
What is the purpose of shading the fruit in the California sprawl trellising system?
Reduce risk of sunburn
What is a complex vine trellising system that may be used in the Central Valley?
Lyre system
Why are summer pruning techniques like leaf pulling generally not carried out?
Require labour or machinery
What is green harvesting, and why is it unlikely to be practiced?
Dropping fruit; it would reduce yields
What is the typical method of harvesting grapes in large vineyards?
By machine
When is it preferable to pick grapes to reduce oxidation and spoilage?
At night
What is the main concern of grape growers regarding harvest timing?
Providing a healthy crop unaffected by rot
What may influence the timing of grape harvest aside from health concerns?
Quality of fruit grown
Fill in the blank: The grape grower aims to maximise _______ while keeping costs low.
yield
True or False: Vine trellising systems in the Central Valley require skilled labor for all types.
False
