The Growing Environment

Question 1

What are the temperatures for each of these climates…

• Cool
• Moderate
• Warm
• Hot

Answer 1

• Cool 16.5 or below
• Moderate 16.5 - 18.5
• Warm 18.5 - 21
• Hot 21 +

Question 2

What is a Continental climate?

Answer 2

Very dry and hot summers, low rainfall

Question 3

What is a Maritime climate?

Answer 3

Cool to moderate temperatures. Rainfall evenly spread throughout the year

Question 4

What is a Mediterranean climate?

Answer 4

Warm to hot temperatures. Summers dry, can cause drought.

Question 5

Below what temperature can vines fail to function?

Answer 5

Below 10 degrees

Question 6

What temperature in growing season will ripen grapes successfully?

Answer 6

Between 16 and 21 degrees

Question 7

What factors are associated with temperature?

Answer 7

• Latitude
• Altitude
• Fog
• Ocean currents
• Soil
• Aspect
• Continentality
• Diurnal range

Question 8

What are the hazards linked to temperature?

Answer 8

• Winter freeze
• Frost
• Mild winters
• Excessive summer heat

Question 9

Explain soil and how there are different types

Answer 9

Soil sits above underlying bedrock. Soil particles, stones and underlying rock or later deposits laid on top give the soil its name.

Question 10

What is an ideal soil?

Answer 10

It has few nutrients and good drainage, but able to store enough water to support vine in growing season.

Question 11

What are the growing seasons in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres?

Answer 11

Northern - April to October

Southern - October - April

Question 12

What do you associate ‘Graft Callus’ with and what is that?

Answer 12

Bench Grafting and it’s what you call it once the two canes have spliced together and healed.

Question 13

What are the factors associated with sunlight?

Answer 13

• Latitude
• Altitude
• Aspect
• Seas and lakes

Question 14

Hazards associated with sunlight?

Answer 14

Too little sunlight can produce underripe grapes with a tart flavour.

Too much sunlight can cause the grapes to burn and taste bitter.

Question 15

Define ‘Climate’.

Answer 15

Climate is the annual pattern of temperature, sunlight and rainfall averaged out over several years.

Question 16

Define ‘Weather’.

Answer 16

Weather is the annual variation that is relative to the climatic average of that area.

Question 17

What happens to white and red grapes when grown in a ‘Cool Climate?’

Answer 17

White grapes retain more acidity and less sugar.

Red grapes struggle in cooler places and produce herbaceous and sharp styles of wine.

Question 18

Why is fog good for wine growing in hot countries?

Answer 18

It can cool the area.

Question 19

If a soil is dark in colour with a high stone/rock content what does this mean and what climate could it be suited to?

Answer 19

It can absorb more heat and re-radiate throughout the night. This is critical in cooler climates.

Question 20

What does a soil need if it has a high water content?

Answer 20

More energy to get going and warm up

Question 21

What does ‘Aspect’ mean?

Answer 21

The direction in which a slope faces

Question 22

Why is it good to have south facing slopes in a vineyard?

Answer 22

They receive more heat

Question 23

What does ‘Diurnal Range’ mean in regards to sea and lakes?

Answer 23

It’s the biggest factor in reducing temperatures between day and night

Question 24

What are the four forms of protection in a vineyard against frost?

Answer 24

• Burners
• Wind machines
• Sprinklers
• Vineyard design (slopes)

Question 25

What do the dark patches on grape skins indicate?

Answer 25

Too much sunlight

Question 26

Why is water stress a good thing for vines?

Answer 26

Because it can be beneficial to the grape ripening process

Question 27

What is the other factor needed for Photosynthesis?

Answer 27

Water

Question 28

What are the sources of water in a vineyard?

Answer 28

• Rain

- Irrigation - drip, flood, sprinklers

Question 29

Hazards associated with water?

Answer 29

• Drought if too little water

- Excessive growth, poor ripening, hail, fungal disease, can disrupt flowering and fruit set if too much water.

Question 30

What is ‘Humus’?

Answer 30

Decomposing plant and animal materials which is rich in plant nutrients. Also excellent for retaining water.

Question 31

What are 3 elements for plant nutrients?

Answer 31

• Nitrogen
• Potassium
• Phosphorous

Question 32

What is ‘Veraison’?

Answer 32

The beginning of colour change and ripening of grapes

Question 33

What is good about having a good depth of soil?

Answer 33

Roots can access to enough water during growing season.

Question 34

What happens if there is too much Nitrogen being supplied to the vine?

Answer 34

Can cause it to thrive and grow more vigorously, producing a dense leaf canopy that shades fruit too much

Question 35

What is ‘Chlorosis’ and what does it do to the vine?

Answer 35

A nutrient deficiency. It makes the leaves turn yellow because they lose Chlorophyll. This happens when vine can’t get enough iron from the soil (usually soils with high limestone content).

Question 36

What is ‘Terroir’?

Answer 36

A sense of place. The combined effects of

• Aspect
• Climate
• Grape Variety
• Scope
• Weather

for a certain place

Question 37

What is a ‘Scion?’

Answer 37

It is the part of a grafted plant that will produce the plants shoots.