Planting Materials Flashcards
Name the six characteristics that need to be considered when selecting a grape variety to plant in a certain climate.
- time of budburst
- duration of annual life-cycle
- tolerance of drought
- resistance to disease
- winter hardiness
- vigor
Why is time of budding important?
Early budding varieties are more at risk of spring frost compared to late budding varieties.
What role does the length of the annual life cycle of a grape variety play?
- Early-ripening varieties (Chard, Pinot) are best suited to cool climates, ensuring that they reach a suitable level of ripeness before wet, cold weather starts towards late autumn.
- Late-ripening varieties (Mourvedre) are better suited to warm and hot climates. Early ripening varieties in these climates would gain sugar and lose acidity too rapidly, resulting in unbalanced wines.
Why might tolerance of drought be an important consideration?
Grape varieties that are able to withstand a high level of water stress (e.g. Grenache), can be the best options in dry climates, such as:
- Southern Rhone
- inland Spain
- McLaren Vale
Why and where might disease resistance be an important factor?
Some grape varieties are less susceptible to fungal diseases, meaning that they require less monitoring and/or treating in damp climates.
For example, Cab Sauv is less susceptible to grey rot than Merlot, one of the reasons why the two make useful blending partners, particularly in Bordeaux.
Why and where might a variety’s winter hardiness be an important consideration?
Some grape varieties (Vidal and Riesling) are relatively tolerant of very cold winter temperatures, making them suitable for the harsh winters experienced in Germany and Canada.
Describe what role a variety’s vigor might play in deciding what vines to plant.
If high vigor grape varieties grown on fertile soils with plentiful water, will mean that the vine’s vigor will need managing to avoid excessive shoot growth.
Name the six other factors to take into account when selecting varieties to plant.
- style of wine
- yield
- cost
- law
- availability
- market demand
Why is style of wine important when deciding which grapes to grow?
The characteristics of the grapes should be consistent with the style of wine that the producer wants to make. A producer wanting to make a low tannin, fruity red for early drinking is more likely to choose Gamay or Grenache than Nebbiolo or Aglianico.
Why is yield an important consideration when deciding which vines to plant?
High yielding varieties or clones allow production of higher yields, which is important when making inexpensive wines.
Why is the law an important consideration when deciding which vines to plant?
In many EU countries, local legislation restricts what grape varieties can be planted (e.g. GC Alsace)
Why is availability an important consideration when deciding which vines to plant?
Strict quarantine procedures are in place when transporting plant materials across borders. In some regions, there is a large range of choices, and in others, grape varieties or clones may not be available due to demand.
Why is market demand an important consideration when deciding which vines to plant?
To be commercially successful, a wine producer must plant vines that meet a market demand.
What are two other decisions when choosing planting materials?
- clones
- rootstocks
What are the reasons for grafting onto rootstocks?
- protect from phylloxera
- to adapt to local soil conditions
What are four factors to consider when planting rootstocks?
- pest tolerance
- water
- soil pH
- vigor
Why is pest tolerance an important consideration when deciding which rootstocks to use?
As well as being tolerant to phylloxera, some rootstocks are tolerant to root-knot nematodes.
Describe the role that water plays when selecting rootstocks.
Some rootstocks are highly tolerant of drought. Others are tolerant of water-logged soils. Others are tolerant of higher levels of dissolved salt.
Name drought-tolerant rootstock examples.
- hybrids of V. rupestris and V. berlandieri, such as 110R or 140R
- ability to root deeply and quickly
Name water-logged soil tolerant rootstock examples.
- based on V. riparia (e.g. Riparia Gloire)
Name rootstock examples that are tolerant of higher levels of dissolved salts.
- based on V. berlandieri (e.g. 1103 Paulsen)
What role can soil pH play when selecting rootstocks?
Rootstocks can correct issues caused by soils with very high or low pH, which can affect the availability of some nutrients.
What are examples of rootstocks with tolerance to low pH soils?
99R and 110R, both hybrids of V. rupestris and V. berlandieri
What are examples of a rootstock that tends to be tolerant of soils with high lime content (high pH)?
- based on V. berlandieri (e.g. 41B)
Describe the role that vigor plays when selecting rootstocks.
Low vigor rootstocks can advance ripening, which may be useful in cool climates. High vigor rootstocks can be useful if the grape grower wants to boost vine growth and yields in vineyard areas with unfertile soils and dry conditions.
What do grape growers do to the vines during their first 2 or 3 years? Why?
- remove inflorescences as they form
- allows the young vine to concentrate its resources on growth
Between what ages do vines produce their highest yield?
Between 10 and 40 years
At what age do a vine’s yields start decreasing?
40 years-old
Where might old vines (50 and up) remain profitable?
Famous vineyards with premium prices.
What happens to old vines in areas making inexpensive or mid-priced wines?
They are replanted to increase yields.
What are three theories behind the idea that old vines make good wine?
- better balanced and adapted to the environment
- lower yields and higher concentration
- more old wood, meaning higher stores of carbs when stressed
What does “Old Vine” mean on a label?
It is unregulated, so it could mean 30 to 100 years-old, depending on the producer.
