Level 4 D1 Chap 10 - Viticulture Scenarios

Question 1

Question

Answer 1

Answer

Question 2

Set out the typical viticulture requirements for the best Priorat vineyards

Answer 2

Hot enough to plant on north facing slopes to avoid sunFree draining soils, and no permitted irrigation, limits vine vigour. So vines can be bush trained for shade.Low density planting to avoid competition for water and nutrients (up to ~3,000 vines per hectare)Garnacha and Carieñena are drought resistant and late ripeningDrought tolerant rootstock may be used (e.g. 140R)

Question 3

Set out the typical viticulture requirements for the best Pauillac vineyards

Answer 3

Variable maritime climates - so different grapes are planted that can be blended, as these spread risk of a deep crop loss.Poor, free draining soils limit vigour, so planting using VSP as simple and maximises grape exposure to the sun.Rain and mist risk means canopies are pruned clear of grapes, which increases sun for ripening and reduces fungal diseaseVines are planted at high densities to maximise yield as land is so expensive

Question 4

Set out the typical viticulture requirements for the best Finger Lake vineyards

Answer 4

Despite the proximity of water, climates are cool, so Reisling is common as it is late budding to protect against frost, and is winter hardyGrowers may hill up the soil in winterSoils are nutrient rich and rain is plentiful. Scott-Henry trellising improves light interception, gives circulation to protect against fungal disease, and makes the most of the large vineSummer pruning can help ripeningVine densities are low to give vigorous vines space. Wide spacing for mechanical harvesting

Question 5

Set out the typical viticulture requirements for Californian Central Valley vineyards to produce high-volume wine?

Answer 5

The climate is warm, and irrigation permitted, so vines grow vigorously. Low density planting reduces upfront costs of vines (1,500 vines per hectare) and vines grow quite largeVarieties are high-yieldingSpur pruning is quicker and lower skilled, reducing costShoots are hung over a single wine to reduce trellis cost, and provide shade from intense sunMachine harvesting reduces cost and enables night time harvesting to save on refrigerationEarly harvest avoids spoilage risk and reduces rot