P1 - Vocabulary - transferred Flashcards
BIODYNAMIC
Biodynamic viticulture is based on organic viticulture, but imposes additional demands that include the use of specially made teas and other preparations and working according to lunar phases, among other techniques. Both organic and biodynamic viticulture require official certification by one of a few bodies (Demeter, Biodyvin)
Bulk Wine
Large volume of finished wine ready for final packaging into containers suitable for end market consumption
CANE PRUNING
the practice of leaving one or more canes, typically 5 to 15 buds long (e.g. Guyot). Goal is to limit the quantity of permanent wood and create balance.
CANOPY MANAGEMENT
“Manipulation of the canopy microclimate by altering the position and number of shoots of fruit in space to influence sun exposure and air circulation. An open canopy is need for:
- Maximum sunlight interception &
optimum photosynthesis.
- Good air circulation to minimize
disease problems.”
CLIMATE
The expected weather pattern of a region based on long term observations. Climate includes factors such as temperature, sunshine hours, rainfall, and wind patterns. Meso-climate –climate for small area, such as a vineyard, and micro-climate –climate for individual vine.
Climate change
“short version: is a long term alteration in typical global or regional climate patterns
is a long term alteration in typical global or regional climate patterns, most often linked to warming temperatures, more erratic and severe weather events. It is particularly attributed to the increased atmospheric carbon dioxide accumulation since the start of the industrial era. “
Cover Crops
Plants in a vineyard (either deliberately sown or weeds allowed to grow), usually between the rows. Goal is to: provide benefits to the soil by increasing the organic matter, aid with compaction, and improve structure and water holding capability. Generally includes grasses and legumes; also cereals. Can also help with soil erosion, water absorbtion or adsorption. Can make frost worse in the spring, attract disease vector bugs, or over-compete with the vine (water/nitrogen) so are removed (close mow, cultivation, burned, herbicides) in some vineyards
Dessert wines
Wines heavily marked by the presence of sweetness (generally > 60 g/l RS) achieved through an array of productino techniques and often with elevated alcohol. Production concentrates the sugars in the must or halt fermentation with sugars remaining including late harvest (Vendage Tardive), drying (Vin Santo), freezing (Eiswine, cryoextraction), botrytis impact (Sauternes, SGN, TBA), as well as fortification or chilling to halt fermentation while natural sugars remain. For US Tax Regulations: A wine between 14 and 24% ABV whether sweet or dry.
Diseases
Bacterial, fungal, viral afflictions that affect fruit yield and or quality or may kill the vine
Drought tolerance
The degree to which a vine can maintain function and productivity in arid or drought conditions
Drought/Drought prone regions
Drought: A prolonged deficit of rainfall, compared with that normally expected given the regional climate. The UN defines drought prone areas as those with a 20% probability of drought in any given year.
Environmental variables
Fixed physical factors such as: slope, aspect, elevation, proximity to a lake etc that impact viticulture
Established vineyard
Vineyard in commercial production with the permanent vine structure already developed (generally at least three years from planting).
Flowering
Important event in the annual growth cycle of vine, the process preceding the fertilization of vine flowers and their subsequent development into berries.
Frost
A major viticultural problem when ice crystals form by the freezing of water at or below 0 degrees Celsius or plant tissue is killed by cold. It can occur in fall, winter or spring. Two main types of frost include radiation (still, dry, cloudless nights - cold air settles at ground level creating an inversion layer above it) and advective frost (caused by cold air flowing, ie from hill or other area).
Frost protection
The passive or active actions taken to prevent frost damage to grape vines and their crop. Passive: site selection, cover crop removal, planting down slopes etc. Active: Air warming methods (bougies, propane fans, etc), air stirring methods to draw down warmer air (fans, helecoptors) and bud protection (aspersion)
Fruit set
An important and delicate stage after flowering in which the flowers transition to grape berries. The week-long set period is critical as a major determinent of yield. It is the result of pollination and can be negatively affected by factors external to the vine such as wind, rain, hail, water stress, heat as well internal factors such as hormones and organic nutrition. Usual set is 30-60% with the remaining flowers falling (shatter). Coulure = shatter, old vine Grenache tends to have high levels.
Grape growing cost
All of the costs of grape growing in a season, including labor, sprays/inputs, energy and water costs as well as depreciation from capital expenses (machinery, netting, frost control, irrigation installation, terracing repairs, planting, trellising framework). Usually calculated as $$/ton or $$/btl
GRAPE QUALITY
quality assessment based on factors such as sugar and phenolic development, acidity, pH, berry size, homogeneity, and disease level and the alignment of these values with the ideal for the intended wine’s style
GRAPEVINE TRUNK DISEASES
group of fungal diseases that infect the wood of the vine primarily through pruning wounds. In young vines, black foot and petri disease are the most prevalent and devastating and mainly caused by compromised nursery material.
In mature vines: Esca, Botryospaeria dieback, eutypa dieback and phomopsis are most prevalent. GTD causes dieback and death of spurs, cane, cordons and trunks and eventually the entire vine. There is no cure, only preventive measure and wood removal remediation. GTDs are one of the primary factors limiting vineyard longevity.
Hail
Frozen rain that falls sporadically and can damage vines. Most common in late spring/early summer and secondarily in autumn. Depending on the phase of growth can cause damage to a single vintage or multiple vintages by damaging buds, leaves, grapes or the vines, often needing special treatments or much additional work to save a part of the crop.
Harvesting options
Possible methods to remove grapes (either berries or bunches) from the vine. Impacted by: site, labor or cost constraints, desired style of wine.
Scott Kozen (VP of Premium, Gallo): Contracts for new machine harvester - don’t buy bc technology advances quickly and want the newest equipment.
Pellenc machine: picks, destems and sorts (using size exclusion technology)
William Hill experiment: harvested every other row machine vs hand. Liked machine better (estimated costs/acre of machine $150/acre)
By hand: $200/ton or so, can be $1200/acre
Biggest line item each year:
Transition to machine in CA (from 20/80 to 80/20) due to:
1) Quality increase in machines (less vine damage today, though still some)
2) Labor market tightening and cost increases
3) Vineyards set up for it; machines can mange 6’ spacing
High priced wines / low priced wines
Will be tied to the market / style of wine, but generally low price assumes below $10/bottle and high priced is +$20
High Quality
High quality wines display balance, length, complexity, concentration, typicity, and often age-ability. They are generally limited in production and often command premium or luxury prices.
HOT CLIMATE
imprecise term defined here as warmest quintile of climate zones suitable for wine grape production with average mean growing seasontemperatures >22C
Labour Shortage
Inability to secure workers with the needed skills, available hours, or wage to match the needs of the vineyard team. Macro impacts include immigration laws, economic conditions, and competition from other agricultural crops. Pressures from fire season, hurricanes, heat etc. spikes demand and may negatively impact quality if grapes can’t get picked.
Labour supply
Availability of appropriately skilled workers available for the needed hours at the desired wage. For time intensive periods in the annual cycle (pruning, harvest) increased demand across the region will impact the pool of labor available. For vineyard work, usually a combination of full-time and seasonal workers.
Low density, high density
Ranges from 1500 vines/hectare to 15,000 vines/hectare. Spain: 900-1600 vines/hectare. France: 5,000-10,000 vines/hectare. Burgundy: 10,000-15,000 vines/hectare
20,000 at Liber Pater (Graves)
Macroclimates
Climate of a region. Can extend over larger or smaller areas depending on the topography and geographic factors such as distance from lakes or oceans
MARGINAL CLIMATE
imprecise term defined here as climate zones with average mean growing season temperatures <16C ; only able to regularly ripen early maturing wine grape varieties
Mesoclimate
Climate of a vineyard. Varies from Macroclimate because of differences in soil structure, elevation, slope, aspect, or distance from moderating forces.
Microclimate
Climate within and surrounding a plant canopy.
Mildews
Fungal diseases that are widespread in a variety of climactic conditions (and are commonly related to weather) and have a significant impact on the quality and quantity of fruit produced. They can be controlled by a wide range of sprays, some of which are limited by organic production . Key: Downy Mildew, Powdery Mildew, Botrytis Bunch Rot