Level 4 D1 Chap 5 - Vineyard Establishment Flashcards
What attributes might you look for in selecting a site for high-volume winemaking?
- flat for mechanisation
- consistent weather for predictable yields and quality
- source of water
- warm conditions to reduce fungal diseases
- price of the land
- proximity of labour/transport/winery
What attributes might you look for in selecting a site for premium wine?
Focus on quality grape production more than low cost.
e.g. aspect/altitude that maximises ripening potential (whether that is to increase sunlight or decrease temps)
Understanding whether the quality of grapes and wine that can be produced will support a profitable business
List at least 5 ways you might prepare soil for planting in a new site
- remove large rocks
- subsoiling to remove impervious plough pan layers
- remove old roots
- use of systemic herbicides
- application of manure/compost
- pH adjusting (e.g. add lime)
- landscaping - e.g. terracing
List at least 5 ways grape varieties can be selected to match the climate
- Budding timing: early to maximise growing season (Chardonnay), late to avoid frost (Riesling)
- Annual life-cycle: early ripening for cool climates (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir), late for warm (Mourvedre)
- Drought tolerance: Grenache
- Disease resistance: Cabernet Sauvignon is less susceptible to grey rot
- Winter hardiness: Vidal, Riesling and Cabernet Franc are tolerant of cold
- Vigour: high Vigour varieties (Sauv. Blanc) can be planted in less fertile areas, or additional canopy management is required
List at least 5 non-climatic factors that influence the choice of grape to plant
- law: choice may be restricted
- style of wine, e.g. tannic wine needs tannic grape
- yield: high yield for mass production. e.g. Grenache
- management cost: e.g. Pinot Noir needs more attention due to Disease susceptibility
- availability of cuttings
- market demand
What rootstock is tolerant of phylloxera?
All main North American varieties:
v. berlandieri
v. rupestris
v. riparia
What rootstock is tolerant of root-knot nematodes?
v. champini
Think of nematodes “champing” on the rootstock
What rootstock is tolerant of drought?
v. rupestris and v. berlandieri hybrids
(110R or 140R.)
(jkf personal memory aid:
DROUGHT? Rupert x Berliner)
What rootstock is tolerant of acidic soil?
v. rupestris and v. berlandieri hybrids 99R or 110R.
ACIDIC? Rupert x Berliner
Name a low vigour rootstock, and where/why it is helpful?
v. riparia – 420A or 3309C
can advance ripening which is useful in cool climates
(jkf personal memory aid:
Low vigor? RIP aria - the love affair is over.)
Name a high vigour rootstock, and where/why it is helpful?
v. rupestris 140R
can boost vine growth and yields in infertile soils
OR
can boost yields were delicate aromas and high acidity is wanted - sparkling wines
jkf personal memory aid:
HIGH VIGOR? Rupert!
How many years before a vine produces suitable grapes?
2-3 years if not constrained by law
PDO wines in the EU may need to be older
How many years until a vine stops producing suitable grapes?
10-40 years for maximum yields
Vines over 50 years are typically only retained for making premium wines due to low yields
What are the general categories of factors that drive site selection?
- price of land
- location, layout, topography (frost pocket? disease?)
- steepness of slopes
- irrigation (legal? source of water? cost?)
- ease of access to vineyard and winery (to avoid oxidation & microbial spoilage)
- proximity to towns for labor, supplies AND to markets for selling & distribution
What might laws restrict in certain PDOs?
- varieties of grapes you can grow
- maximum yields
- viticulture choices (e.g., irrigation)
- winemaking choices
