Level 4 Viti Flashcards
Define a Low Vigour site What planting density should be used? What type of trellising?
<0.5m deep, limited water in growing season, low fertility Hi Density >5k plants/ha (unless where water very limited) VSP with single or double guyot
At what temp is a vine dormant?
<10c
How thick, how long should shoots be?
Pencil thick 12~15 nodes long
What rootstock might you use in areas with very cold Winters?
Vitis Amurensis
What element is shot into the sky to disperse hail? What else protects against hail?
Silver Iodide Towers charged with static electricity Netting Site diversification
What temp is considered too cold for grape growing
One that is below -20c more than once every 20yrs Or Has a mean temp <1c for the coldest month
What are the 4 stages of Berry growth / ripening?
Herbaceous phase Veraison Maturation Sur-Maturation
What is ‘Floral Initiation’?
Where embryonic flowers develop in the dormant bud the year preceding budburst
What planting density for Poor soil?
High density
What is preparation 501?
Horn Silica, fine ground Silica buried in cow horn over the Summer. Sprayed on vines 2~4 times a year. Supposed to improve photosynthesis
What are Anthocyanins and where, in the grape, are they found?
Provide red wine colour, found immediately beneath grape skin (Peripheral Pulp)
What factors increase / decrease water requirements in the growing season?
Vine density, soil water holding capacity, time of rainfall, wind
A sandy soil in a high rainfall area is likely to be deficient in which nutrients?
Potassium, Calcium, Sulphur
What is a really good rootstock to use where the soil is dry and stony and prone to drought?
110R Richter
Which rootstock performs best in saline soils?
1103P Paulsen
What are the symptoms of Downy Mildew (Peronospora)? How does it like to grow? How is it treated?
Fungus. Lives in (not on) vine tissue. Damages green part of vine esp. young leaves. Yellow oil spots on surface of leaf w white downy patches underside. Needs rainfall/water and warm temps. Highest risk years are rainy Winters, Springs and stormy/warm Summers Control canopy management to avoid leaf bunching Spray Bdx mix (Lime and Copper Sulphate) every 20mm rain, 15~20cm growth, 10~14 days
How are Cordon de Royat, GDC and Sylvoz normally pruned?
Cordon / Spur pruned
Your vine has stunted shoots with small yellow cupped leaves, the grapes are OK but yield is substantially decreased. What is the disease and how did it occur?
Eutypa dieback / Dead Arm / Dying arm Fungus entered pruning wounds
Who original proposed the concept of Biodynamic farming?
Rudolf Steiner
What are the symptoms of Leafroll Virus? How does it like to grow? How is it treated?
Symptoms seen in Autumn; red (black grapes) and yellow (white grapes) leaves with downward rolled edges. Reduce yield -50%. Sugar -30%, delay maturity 4 weeks. Wines made less colour, alcohol, flavour and body Disease spread by planting infected cuttings and vines Mealybugs a poss vector in S. Africa No cure! Dig up vineyard and re-plant
What are three key elements of a vineyard site assessment?
Soil profile Water supply Soil fertility
What is the main effect of Canopy Management?
Affects the climate in the fruiting zone, therefore style and quality of wines
What is the difference between ‘Prompt’ and ‘Latent’ buds?
A Prompt bud breaks in the same year A latent bud breaks the following Spring
What 4 things can affect the chemical composition of a grape?
Grape variety Climate and soil (terroir) Viticultural management Seasonal / weather variations
What is Regulated Deficit Irrigation (RDI)?
The use of water stress to manage vegetative growth
What is the main advantage / disadvantage of Cordon pruned systems?
They are easier to prune and can be re-pruned mechanically Retain large volume permanent wood = maintain carb reserves Disadvantage is carb reserves enable the vine to be more vigorous than with replacement cane. Also loss of growing points along the cordon
How are Sylvoz and Len-Moser systems usually pruned?
Cordon/spur pruned
What soil is a balanced mixture of clay, silt and sand?
Loam
What does ‘GDD’ mean?
Growing degree days
What is the definition of a vine’s ‘vigour’?
The weight of wood produced annually
What is perhaps the most classic wine region to find Slate soil?
Mosel
How are young vines treated in the nursery ensure not carrying any disease?
Thermotherapy
Your vine is showing malformed shoot growth with double nodes, leaves are distorted and bunches are smaller with poor fruit set leading to millerendage. What is it and how is it cured?
Fanleaf virus No cure!
What does a vine do when it Photosynthesises?
It creates Sucrose
What is an Intraspecific crossing?
A crossing of one Vinifera variety with another
What is the word for when enough flowers fail to become berries?
Coulure
Below what pH can vines not survive and why?
<5pH Too acidic Aluminium poisons the plant
What type of insecticide become trapped in the soil to stop new weeds starting?
Pre-emergence insecticides
What is Vidal a crossing of?
Uni Blanc x 4986 Seibel
What are the symptoms of Eutypa dieback (Dead Arm/Dying Arm)? How does it like to grow? How is it treated?
Stunted shoots w small yellow cupped leaves, reduced yield Fungus enters thru pruning wounds, needs mild temps and moisture. Kills water conducting tissue Controlled by v’yard hygiene, pruning wounds covered with fungicide paste
List 4 key factors for vineyard site selection
Water availability Regional climate (temp and sunshine hours) Soil type and quality Access to the site Availability of labour and resources Proximity to the market
List 4 factors in grape variety selection
Genetics Performance in potential site climate (sugar, acid, pigments, tannin, fruit flavours) Winemaking influence Fashion - will it sell? Yields Disease Legislation
What is Physiological Ripeness
The point at which the grape has reached max sugar and size BUT Grapes not always allowed to reach this stage and are picked earlier
What is the skin of a grape called?
Epidermis
What type of insecticide is absorbed by the leaves (roots) and carried round the plant by the sap killing the whole plant?
Systemic herbicides
What disease is spread by glassy winged sharpshooters and/or mealy worms?
Pierce’s Disease
When would Nitrogen be added to soil?
In the Spring
How much less sunlight will a vineyard near a large town or city get and why?
Up to 10% less due to pollution
Why are Late Harvest grapes harder to ferment
Contain less Glucose, more Fructose
Define a ‘Tropical’ climate
Minimal annual temperature variation Hot Summers and warm Winters
What are the 6 mains aims of canopy management?
Max light interception = Max photosynthesis Min canopy shading - shaded leaves use energy Uniform microclimate for the fruit Balance between fruit and leaf Minimise disease Optimise mechanisation - Prune, pesticide, harvesting
What is the ‘best’ climate for growing grapes?
One that is only just suitable for grape growing
What is the Peak Vine growth temperature range?
22~25c
Name regions in EU Zone CIIIa
Parts of Bulgaria and Greece
3 effects of temperature on yield?
Rate of growth Number of flower clusters and size Success of setting the flowers into berries
What is the ideal vine canopy?
15 shoots / metre 1~1.5 leaves thick
What are the symptoms of Fanleaf Virus? How does it like to grow? How is it treated?
Shoot growth malformed with double nodes, short internode length and zig zag growth. Bunches smaller w poor fruit set = 80% crop loss. Finally vines stop fruiting esp. Cab Sav Spread by infected plant material. No cure, buy from reputable nurseries
A vineyard with a Heat Summation of 1900 is best suited to growing what grapes?
Full bodied reds e.g. Shiraz
List 2 advantages and 2 disadvantages of allowing weeds
+Prevent soil erosion +Prevent Nitrate leaching +Encourage biodiversity +Reduce excess vine vigour +Improve soil structure +Warn of disease/nutrient deficiencies -Compete for water and nutrients -Increase frost risk -Act as host for pests and diseases
What is Pinotage a crossing of?
Pinot Noir and Cinsault
What is IFOAM? What does it relate to?
International Federation Organisation of Agricultural Movements Relates to Organic agriculture
Name the process whereby soil organisms rapidly break down sugars, starches nitrogenous compounds and some cellulose
Mineralisation
What is a ‘Pendelbogen’ and what is its purpose?
Canes tied down in the shape of an arch To regulate shoot vigour along their length
What is the IOBC? What is IPM?
International Organisation for Biological Control Integrated Pest Management
What is the thin waxy layer of a grape called?
The Cuticle
What chemical inputs are permitted under Organic and Biodynamic farming?
Bordeaux Mixture (Copper) and Sulphur but at lower levels
Name 2 pros and 2 cons of Mulching
+ Young vines suffer less drought Less competition from weeds Better soil structure Higher soil temp = more microbial activity - cost and labour Increased frost risk - plants grow earlier and faster More weeds @ base of plant Homes for slugs, mice and snakes Superficial rooting
What is Müller-Thurgau a crossing of?
Riesling and Madeleine Royal
What soil is similar to limestone but with higher levels of Magnesium?
Dolomite
What are 4 main criteria in selecting vines?
Adaptation to climate Resistance to disease Adaptation to soil conditions Economics; high yield, high quality, suitability for mechanisation, demand for the grapes
What is ‘Slope’ in a vineyard? How does it affect a vineyard?
The degree of incline Determines the intensity of sunlight received
In the Amerine and Winkler Heat summation system what grapes are suitable for growing in a Cat I region? What is the GDD for Cat I? Give region examples
Light bodied whites; Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Riesling
<1370 Chablis, The Mosel Valley, Champagne
What is the most common Cordon system called?
Cordon de Royat Single or double horizontal cordon with shoots vertically trained
What is the definition of good soil?
Particles form stable crumbs of 1~5mm diameter With a high to moderate organic matter
What is ‘photoperiod’?
Hours of sunlight. Extreme N and S hemisphere have longer photoperiods
Limestone rich soils tend to have a high pH what is the possible effect of this?
Inhibits uptake of iron and other micronutrients increasing the risk of Chlorosis
What soil is a balanced mixture of clay, silt and sand, it has the nutrient holding capacity of clay and the good drainage of sand?
Loam
Which 2 rootstocks are best to use where there is a serious Nematode problem?
Schwarzman, Dog Ridge
What’s the problem with Grape Moths?
Damage grape vines in larval stage Larvae feed on foliage but worst late Summer when they feed on whole bunches. Larvae webs berries together, feeding on surface then burrowing in Accurate spraying of insecticides or introduce predatory spiders, wasps and shield bug
What elements does a vine need to live?
Sunlight, Water and CO2
Why plant low density in high potential (vigour) sites and High density in low potential sites?
In a high potential (deep and fertile) site the roots can go deep creating a bushy canopy, if the vines are planted close together the canopies shade each other. In a low potential (shallow and less fertile) site the vine can’t search out as many nutrients so the canopy will be smaller = less risk of shading
When would Potassium and Phosphorus be added to soil?
In the Autumn
Of the 2 main rootstocks which is best suited to cooler, damper more fertile soils?
V. Riparia
Name 4 benefits of Humus
Maintains soil structure Retains nutrients High water holding capacity Small range of swelling/shrinking (making soil management easier) Gradual release of nutrients Darkens soil = improves ability to absorb heat
What are; Red spider, yellow spider, grape leaf rust, pacific spider, Wilamette and bunch?
Mites
What is Partial Root Drying (PRD)? How is it done?
Half the roots are watered (leaving other half dry) Implemented with a double drip system and wet/dry alternated every 10~14 days
At least how many hours of sunlight are required to produce ripe fruit?
>1250
What is Ruby Cabernet a crossing of?
Carignan and Cabernet Sauvignon
What is the American Heat Summation System called?
Amerine and Winkler’s Heat Summation System
How much precipitation does A cooler region need? A hotter region need?
Cooler - 500mm Hotter 750mm
What is most likely causing vine’s basal buds to lose viability, restricting cane growth, making them fragile. The leaves may show small dark spots after rainfall. How did your vine get diseased?
Phomopsis Introduced by infected planting material
What is Clonal Selection? Name three selection criteria
Vines taken from one parent, genetically identical Yield, fertility, berry size, sugar, acidity, colour, flavour, aroma, disease resistance, drought resistance, virus free, ease of grafting, cost
What planting density is preferred on a high vigour site with fertile soils?
Low density
Define a Medium Vigour site What planting density should be used? What type of trellising?
0.5~1.0m deep, adequate water, avg fertility Avg density (3k~5k plants/ha Lyre, Scott-Henry, Large VSP
What is the main disadvantage of VSP training?
Shoot density normally high therefore prone to shade in the fruiting zone.
What planting density for a low water vineyard?
Low density
What am I? How am I treated? I’m one of the most widespread vine diseases, I damage the green parts of a vine causing young leaves to curl and develop dull grey patches with cobweb patches. When advanced the canopy develops a musty smell.
Powdery Mildew / Oidium Sulphur sprays prevent, stop and cure DMIs are also effective briefly
How many buds typically left on the vine @ Winter pruning?
6~15 per metre
What does the vine convert Sucrose to?
Glucose and Fructose
Under Organic farming when is hedge trimming banned?
End March~Beginning September
Dr. Who defined the ‘Vegetative Cycle of the Vine’?
Dr. Richard Smart
What can be added to soil to raise the pH?
Calcium Carbonate (Calcite) Magnesium Carbonate (Magnasite) Dolomite = A mix of both
In the Amerine and Winkler Heat summation system what grapes are suitable for growing in a Cat III region? What is the GDD for Cat III? Give region examples
Full bodied red wines Cabernet Sauvignon, Semillon, Syrah, Zinfandel
1650~1930 Barossa Valley, Stellenbosch, Southern Rhone
What is the most popular rootstock in Europe?
SO4 Selection Oppenheim
What are DMI sprays used to treat and why can they become ineffective?
Used to treat Powdery Mildew. Fungus can become resistant, not recommended for more than 3 applications
In the Amerine and Winkler Heat summation system what grapes are suitable for growing in a Cat II region? What is the GDD for Cat II? Give region examples
Medium bodied red wines Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Cab Sav, Sauvignon Blanc, Cab Franc, Merlot
1370-1650 Napa Valley, Bordeaux, Northern Rhone
What is ‘Mass Selection’ / ‘Selection Massale’?
Traditional method of passing through the vineyard before harvest and marking best vines from which to take cuttings during the Winter. Best done in poor years
How did the grape Alicante Bouschet come about?
Aramon x Teinturier = Petit Bouschet Petit Bouschet x Grenache = Alicante Bouschet
In the Amerine and Winkler Heat summation system what grapes are suitable for growing in a Cat V region? What is the GDD for Cat V?
Bulk wines and table and drying grapes >2200
What are light brown apple, european berry and grape berry?
Moths
What is Seyval Blanc a crossing of?
Seibel 5656 x Siebel 4986
What are the symptoms of Phomopsis? How does it like to grow? How is it treated?
Fungus. Basal buds lose viability, can restrict cane growth making them fragile. Infected canes whiten and snap. Noticed @ Winter pruning. Introduced to v’yard by infected planting material-takes years to become apparent Spreads in high humid cooler v’yards Buy from reputable nursery
Name regions in EU Zone A
Germany, excl Baden, UK
Name regions in EU Zone CIIIB
Portugal (except Vinho Verde), Southern Spain, Calabria, Puglia, Sardinia, Sicily, parts of Greece
What is Sur Maturation?
The time a grape is left on the vine after optimum ripeness
What distance protection will an 8m windbreak provide?
80m (10x)
What is the purpose of pruning and training the vine?
Increases yield and quality
Which are the two main Rootstocks used in Champagne and Charentes?
41B Millardet et de Grasset 333EM Ecole de Montpellier
Of the 2 main rootstocks which is best suited to warmer, dryer, less fertile soils?
V. Rupestris
List the 4 NATURAL factors of grape growing
Grape selection Climate Weather Soil
Name regions in EU Zone CI
Bordeaux, SW France, Rhone, Parts Portugal, North Atlantic coast of Spain, Hungary, Trentino-Aldige
How long a plan must a farmer submit to adopt Organic farming?
3yrs
What Average Mean Growing Season temperature is a ‘Moderate’ climate? What grapes suit a Moderate climate? Give 3 examples of Moderate regions
16.5~18.5c
Intermediate ripening; Cab Sav, Merlot, Sangiovese
Bordeaux, N. Rhone, Rioja, Piedmont, Tuscany, Coonawarra, Marlborough, Napa, Sonoma
What Average Mean Growing Season temperature is a ‘Warm’ climate? What grapes suit a Warm climate? Give 3 examples of Warm regions
18.5~21c
Heat loving varieties; Grenache, Mourvèdre, Ruby Cabernet, Grapes for Fortified wines e.g. Port or liqueur Muscat S. Rhone, Douro, McClaren Vale, Paarl
What is Preparation 500?
Cow dung buried in cow horn, buried over winter and used for spraying the vines 2~4 times yr. Supposed to stimulate soil life
What am I? How am I treated? I need high humidity and warm temps. I produce enzymes that break down plant tissue causing it to turn brown. Brown then black patches appear that dry the stems, berries stop ripening and drop off.
Grey Rot / Botrytis Prevented using broad spectrum fungicides or specific Botrytis fungicides
The grapes Concord, Black Hamburg and Clinton are examples of what?
Inter-specific hybrids V.Vinifera hybrids
What 3 nutrients encourage ripening?
Phosphorous (P), Potassium (K), Magnesium (Mg)
What is the most widespread grapevine disease worldwide causing reduced yields and berry sugar. Wines have lower colour, alc, flavour and body. What is it and how is it cured?
Leafroll virus No treatment but next time buy vines from a certified nursery
What Average Mean Growing Season temperature is a ‘Cool’ climate? What grapes suit a Cool climate? Give 3 examples of Cool regions
<16c
Early ripening varieties; Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir
Champagne, Mosel, S England, Anderson Valley, Carneros, Tasmania
At what peak temperature does vine growth slow?
>25c
What are the symptoms of Grey Rot (Botrytis)? How does it like to grow? How is it treated?
Leaves develop 2~3cm stains w grey felting on underside, shoots weaken and break. Berries stop ripening, shrivel and drop off Spreads through vine producing enzymes that break down plant tissue turning it brown Needs high humidity and warm temps. Enters vine through wound or weak point in epidermis. Prevented by broad spectrum fungicides applied, beg of flowering, start berry set, bunch closure, start veraison and 3 weeks before harvest
In the Amerine and Winkler Heat summation system what grapes are suitable for growing in a Cat IV region? What is the GDD for Cat IV?
Fortified Wines 1930~2200
What trellising system would you use in a vineyard with high nutrients, fertile soils and plentiful water? Why?
GDC The horizontally divided trellis system was specifically designed for use in vigorous soils
What is the correct distance between vines along the row?
15 shoots per metre
Where in Europe are you most likely to find Granite soils?
Baden in Germany and Northern Rhone
Where will there most likely be a bird problem? What’s the issue with birds and grapes?
Vineyards near forests or isolated vineyards Some peck a whole grape, others will remove whole berry Risk - 2ndry bacteria/fungal infection Poss more selective picking or grape sorting = £
How are ‘big vine’ trellising systems e.g. GDC usually pruned?
Spur pruned
In which 2 region types is canopy management most important?
Cool-climate regions New World: High vine vigour in fertile soils
Name 3 key training systems for high vigour soils
Geneva Double Curtain U or Lyre Pergola
What are the symptoms of Pierce’s Disease? How is it spread? How is it treated?
Bacteria. Deadly. Noticeable mid Summer; leaves discolour, die and drop off. Replacement leaves and shoots stunted. Vine dies 1~5yrs later Spread by glassy winged sharpshooters No cure!
Name 3 typical Tropical-climate regions
Brazil, India, Thailand
In a grape, where is the Peripheral pulp and what does it contain?
Immediately beneath the Epidermis Contains coloured pigments, Tannins and flavour constituents
What are the symptoms of Powdery Mildew (Oïdium)? How does it like to grow? How is it treated?
Fungus. Most damage on green parts of vine, young leaves curl and develop dull grey patches with cobweb patches. Advanced infection = musty smelling canopy. Likes humidity and 21~25c i.e. warm, cloudy (but not wet) Summers. Doesn’t like bright sunlight or temp extremes Control = Canopy management to avoid leaf bunching Sulphur sprays prevent, stop and cure the disease
Name two Vertical divided vine training systems Name 2 advantages over VSP
Scott-Henry - cane pruning Smart-Dyson - cordon pruning Increased canopy area = higher photosynthesis Shoot density halved = canopy less dense = greater fruit exposure Half of shoots trained downwards = de-invigorating effect on the vine
What is soils preferred pH?
Above 6.5
Name regions in EU Zone B
Baden, Loire, Champagne, Alsace, Austria
What is a Mite? How do they cause damage? Are they always bad? How are they controlled?
Minute arachnids 0.2~0.5mm long Feed on green parts esp. leaves, affect photosynthesis, fruit set, cane ripening and grape ripening Predatory mites help control destructive mites Sulphur sprays or Miticides
What Average Mean Growing Season temperature is a ‘Hot’ climate? What grapes suit a Hot climate? Give 2 examples of Hot regions
>21c
Largely production of table and drying grapes Jerez, San Joaquin Valley Ca
Define a High Vigour site What planting density should be used? What type of trellising?
>1m deep soil, fertile, good water, plenty of nutrients Low density planting (<3k plants/ha) Complex trellis (Ruakura twin, two tier, GDC)
What am I? How am I treated? I live within vine tissue damaging green parts of the plant. Yellow oil spots show on the leaf with white down patches on the underside.
Downy Mildew / Peronospora Bordeaux mix (Lime and Copper) sprays every 20mm rain, 15~20cm growth or every 10~14 days
Name regions in EU Zone CII
Languedoc-Roussillon, Provence, Northern Spain, Most of Italy
From a yield point of view what are the 4 most important stages in the growth cycle?
Floral initiation Budburst Flowering Fruit set
