TERROIR

Question 1

In what plant activities is light energy most relevant? (3)

Answer 1

Inflorescence initiation
Shoot branching
Phenolic compound synthesis

Question 2

At what temperature (range) and moment in season is the vine at risk for frost damage?

Answer 2

Winter: longer periods of -15 to -20 C
Spring: when buds have pushed between 0 and -5C

Question 3

From what temperature start the vine to push growth in spring?

Answer 3

10C

Question 4

Why do we prefer rain in winter over rain during flowering/ripening?

Answer 4

In winter the water reserves can be refilled in the soil
During flowering rain can disturb the pollination
During ripening you want limited waterstress to increase quality

Question 5

How does the vine respond to strong winds?

Answer 5

It closes the stomatal pores so it will limit photosynthesis and transpiration

Question 6

Name the 4 spatial levels

Answer 6

Macro climate
Meso climate
Local climate
Micro climate

Question 7

Why are regions with a seasonal average temperature below 10/12C unfavourable for viticulture? (3)

Answer 7

Due to short growing seasons
Low amounts of sunshine hours
Low amounts of accumulated heat

Question 8

What happens with the temperature when you increase elevation with 150m

Answer 8

It lowers the temperature with 1C

Question 9

Describe the influence of altitude on grape maturation (3)

Answer 9

Slower berry maturation (Lower temperatures)
Higher concentrations in AC
Higher amount of phenolic compounds (light intensity)

Question 10

Describe the pro’s (2) and con’s (3) of having a vineyard on a slope

Answer 10

+ Optimal angle for incoming sunlight
+ Less frost risk
- More erosion risk
- Less options for mechanical work
- More run off water due to lower infiltration rate

Question 11

Name 3 different ways for a winemaker to have influence on the climate conditions at spatial field level (in terms of vineyard design)

Answer 11

Row orientation
Density
Trainingssystem (&trunk height)

Question 12

What are the 3 pillars for ‘terroir’ wine

Answer 12

Concept of origin
Limited quantities
Traceability

Question 13

What is the result of water deficit (plant/grape) (4)

Answer 13

Early shoot growth
Reduced berry size
Low malate (?)
High anthocyanin

Question 14

The uptake of N from the soil is depending on which 5 parameters?

Answer 14

OM and C/N ratio
Soil temperature
Soil aeration
Ph
Soil moisture content

Question 15

What is the result of low N for white wines?

Answer 15

Decrease in aromatic expression

Question 16

What is the best window to harvest all around the northern hemisphere?

Answer 16

Between 10 September and 10 october

Question 17

Which 3 points are critical in order to maximise terroir expression?

Answer 17

Timing of ripeness (variety)
Managing water status (rootstock and variety)
Managing nitrogen status (fertilisation and vineyard floor management)

Question 18

What influence has a shallow topsoil on the vine growth cycle?

Answer 18

A shallow topsoil will warm up quicker and will provoke early budbreak.

Question 19

Explain the role of microbes in the soil

Answer 19

Microbes will consume organic material and spread N as result. This is essential for the vine

Question 20

Explain if you have deep or shallow rooting in poor or fertile soils

Answer 20

Poor: deep rooting (roots searching for nutriments)
Fertile: shallow rooting (roots are lazy, if they can find nutriments close they will not search any further)

Question 21

How long will veraison take approximately?

Answer 21

Around 3 weeks
There can be 3-4 days difference between berry softening and color change

Question 22

Where stand the letters OAEBCR for in a soil disection graph?

Answer 22

O: Organic/humus
A: Topsoil
E: Elevated horizon
B: Subsoil
C: Parent material
R: Bedrock

Question 23

What are sedimentary rocks? And what is lithification?

Answer 23

Rocks that are formed through the gradual accumulation of sediments (riverbeds etc). When sediment over time turns into rock the process is called lithification

Question 24

What are igneous rocks?

Answer 24

Rock that originate from crystallised from of melt or magma

Question 25

What ar metamorphic rocks

Answer 25

rocks that were once igneous or sedimentary but have been reformed due to high pressure or heat

Question 26

What is the difference between erosion and weathering?

Answer 26

Erosion is the movement of material
Weathering is the breaking down of rock
First you have weathering, then erosion

Question 27

What is a strata?

Answer 27

Layer of soil

Question 28

What is the difference between soil texture and soil structure?

Answer 28

Texture: sand/silt/clay etc
Structure: How the texture hangs together

Question 29

Why can soil structure become a problem?

Answer 29

It can create a crust/hard pan
Less/no gaseous exchange
Prevents decomposition of OM

Question 30

How can you overcome water logging? (5)

Answer 30

OM
Gypsum
Drainage
Ripping
Deep rooted cover crop

Question 31

In which situation do you have an E horizon

Answer 31

When the leaching is pronounced. E is a subsurface horizon of the A horizon

Question 32

What is the maximum % of clay you want in your soil

Answer 32

25%

Question 33

With which properties can you describe soil? (4)

Answer 33

Depth
Parent rock
Texture
Hydrology

Question 34

What is CEC?

Answer 34

Cation Exchange Capacity. The soils ability to attract/hold positively charged nutrient cations.

Question 35

What are the major exchangeable cations in the soil? (4)

Answer 35

Calcium (Ca2+)
Magnesium (mg2+)
Potassium (K+)
Sodium (Na+)

Question 36

What does high base saturation mean?

Answer 36

That more soil is occupied by the basic ions and less by H+ ions (acidic). A high base saturation is mostly a high pH.

Question 37

Which soil texture has a particular high CEC?

Answer 37

Clay

Question 38

What can you do against low soil pH?

Answer 38

Add lime (calcium)