The Growing Environment

Question 1

In order for a vine to complete it’s annual cycle, what 5 things does it need:

Answer 1

Heat, Sunlight, Water, CO2, and Nutrients

Question 2

What is the French term for the change in color of the grapes?

Answer 2

Verasion

Question 3

Describe the annual cycle of the vine by season starting with winter.

Answer 3

• Dormancy/No green parts (Winter)
• Budburst marks start of growing season (Spring)
• Flowers/Fruit Set (Late Spring/Early Summer)
• Grape Ripening (Late Summer/Early Autumn)
• Harvest (Autumn)

Question 4

Most vineyards lie between the latitudes of:

Why?

Answer 4

30* - 50* north and south of the Equator

To meet the vines needs and preference for a dormant period

Question 5

At what temperature is it too cold for the vine to grow?

Answer 5

10 C (50 F) or below

Question 6

Name 6 factors that affect heat:

Answer 6

Latitude
Altitude
Ocean Currents
Fog
Soil
Aspect

Question 7

Name 2 ways soil affect temperature?

Answer 7

Soils that are dark in color or have a high stone/rock content absorb and re-radiate more heat than that of lighter color soils. Crucial for ripening in cool climates.

Soils with high water content require more energy to warm up and conduct heat from the vine more quickly than dry soils. This can delay budburst.

Question 8

What is Aspect?

Answer 8

The direction in which a slope faces. Vineyards facing the equator receive the most heat and sunlight.

Question 9

What is Continentality?

Answer 9

The temerature difference between the hottest and coldest months over the year.

High Continentality = Large differences in seasonal temperatures

Low Continentality = Less Variation in temperatures

Question 10

What is Diurnal Range?

Answer 10

Difference between temperature day to night.

Question 11

What are two things that affect diurnal range?

Answer 11

Bodies of water and Cloud cover

Question 12

Name 4 ways to prevent spring frosts. Describe methods.

Answer 12

• Heaters: duh
• Wind Machines: draws warm air from above to keep ground level above freezing. Some incorporate heaters
• Sprinklers: As water freezes it releases heat into the plant tissue protecting the buds and shoots
• Thoughtful Vineyard design: Planting on slopes and avoiding depressions where cold air can collect. When planted in middle of slopes vineyards are less at risk for frost damage. Vines can also be trained high.

Question 13

How can cold and hot temperatures affect the growing season?

Answer 13

Cold:

• In Spring can delay budburst, shortening the growing season
• Can delay flowering and fruit set resulting in smaller than average crop

Heat:

Extended periods of extreme heat can slow or even stop the vines activity

Question 14

What are 3 factors affecting sunlight? Describe.

Answer 14

-Latitude: Longer days the further from the equator

• Seas and Lakes:
  a. Cloud cover occurs more near bodies of water.
  b. reflects sunlight
• Aspect:
  a. Greater distance from the equator, the weaker the suns energy.
  b. slopes facing the equator get more sun

Question 15

How can limiting the supply of water be beneficial for ripening?

Answer 15

The vine has enough water to keep photosynthesising but the shortage of water means the vine can concentrate on grape ripening instead of new shoot growth.

Question 16

What are the three main irrigation techniques? Describe.

Answer 16

• Drip Irrigation: Most advanced and expensive. Each vine has it’s own dripper that can be computer controlled
• Sprinklers: widely used and cheaper. waste water and can create damp conditions increasing the risk of disease.
• Flood Irrigation: very cheap. Only possible in flat vineyard sites.

Question 17

What is Climate?

Answer 17

Climate is defined as the annual pattern of temperature, sunlight and rainfall averaged out over several years. Does not change year to year, but can alter over a period of decades.

Question 18

What is Weather?

Answer 18

Annual variation that happens relative to the climactic average.

Question 19

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

Answer 19

Northern (April to October)

Southern (October to April)

Question 20

What are the 4 major climates and their average growing season temperatures?

Answer 20

Cool -16.5 C or below (62 F or below)
Moderate - 16.5 to 18.5 C (62 F to 65 F)
Warm -18.5 to 21 C (65 F to 70 F)
Hot - 21 C and up (70 F and up)

Question 21

Describe Continental Climate

Answer 21

Greatest difference in temperature between the hottest and coldest months and are usually characterised by short summers with a large, rapid temperature drop in Autumn. Also noted for dry summers, in high temps irrigation can be necessary.

Question 22

Describe Maritime Climate

Answer 22

• Low Continentality
• Evenly spread annual rainfall helps moderate the temperature
• Temperature is warm enough for grapes to ripen well in to autumn

Question 23

Describe Mediterranean Climate

Answer 23

• Low Continentality
• Summers are warm and dry
• The extra warmth (compared to Maritime) leads to wines that are fuller, with riper tannins, higher alcohol, and lower acidity

Question 24

What is humus?

Answer 24

organic matter composed of decomposing plant and animal matters that are rich in nutrients and have excellent water retaining properties.

Question 25

What are the three most important nutrients for a vine?

Answer 25

Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium

Question 26

What is loam?

Answer 26

Soils made up of a mixture of sand and clay particles. Many of the best soils are of this composition.

Question 27

What is chlorosis? How can this problem be solved?

Answer 27

A common symptom linked to a lack of nutrients. The leaves turn yellow and the vines ability to photosythesise is restricted. Grapes struggle to ripen properly.

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