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WSET 4 (D1 - Wine Production) > The Growing Environment > Flashcards

The Growing Environment Flashcards

1
Q

Fruit set

A

Vine flowers and small grapes form

Occurs late spring to early summer

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2
Q

Five things a vine needs

A

Heat

Sunlight

Carbon Dioxide

Water

Nutrients

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3
Q

Importance of heat

A

Too high or low means the vine will not develop

Heat determines which varieties can grow where

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4
Q

Coldest vine temp

A

10 C

Causes dormancy in winter

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5
Q

Factors affecting heat

A

Latitude

Altitude

Ocean currents

Fog

Soil

Aspect

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6
Q

Latitude (heat)

A

Must be between 30 and 50 degrees north and south of the equator

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7
Q

Altitude (heat)

A

As altitude increases, temp drops

Means grapes can be grown closer to equator in some regions (Cafayate in Argentina)

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8
Q

Ocean currents (heat)

A

Can create localized warming or cooling in certain regions

Allows for grape growing in otherwise unsustainable regions

Humboldt current in Chile

Benguela current in South Africa

Gulf Stream in NW Europe

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9
Q

Humboldt Current

A

Ocean current that cools Chile

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10
Q

Benguela Current

A

Ocean current that cools South Africa

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11
Q

Gulf Stream

A

Ocean current that cools NW Europe

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12
Q

Fog (heat)

A

Can cool otherwise warm areas

Top vineyards in California

Casablanca Valley in Chile

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13
Q

Soil (heat)

A

Dark soils and soils with high stone and rock content absorb and reradiate heat better than lighter soils

Critical in some cooler regions

High water content soils need more energy to heat up and conduct heat away from vines

Can delay budburst

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14
Q

Aspect (heat)

A

Direction in which a slope faces

Facing equator = most heat

Steep slopes get best effect (Mosel)

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15
Q

Continentality

A

Temp diff between coldest and hottest months

High continentality = large diff

Areas near large water bodies generally low cont (water heats and cools slowly)

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16
Q

Dirunal range

A

Diff between day and night temps

Cool nights slow aroma and acidity loss

Warm nights accelerate ripening

Proximity to water bodies reduces diurnal range

Cloud cover reduces diurnality

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17
Q

Winter temp hazards

A

-20 C = serious vine damage or death

Graft is most at risk/Earthing up can help

If mild or no winter, vine might produce a second crop

Shortens vine life and grape quality and increases pest risk

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18
Q

Spring frost hazards

A

0C air on ground kills newly burst buds and young shoots

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19
Q

Spring frost protection

A

Heaters

Wind machines

Sprinklers

Thoughtful vineyard design

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20
Q

Heaters

A

Generated heat creates air movement

Prevents cold air from settling around vine

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21
Q

Wind machines

A

Draws warm air from above to keep ground above freezing

Might have heaters built in

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22
Q

Sprinklers

A

Covers vines in ice

As water freezes, heat released into vine

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23
Q

Thoughtful vineyard design

A

Planting vines away from bottom of slope (on middle slope)

Also train vines high to avoid worst cold

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24
Q

Sunlight

A

Creates glucose and oxygen from CO2 and water (photosynthesis)

More light = more glucose

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25
Factors affecting sunlight
Latitude Seas and lakes Aspect
26
Latitude (sunlight)
Day length lenghtens with distance from equator (helps Riesling ripen in Germany)
27
Seas and lakes (sunlight)
Large water bodies = more cloud cover = less sunlight Some vineyards get reflected sunlight from rivers and lakes
28
Aspect (sunlight)
Steeper slopes get more sunlight Distance from equator = weaker sun energy = best to have high aspect
29
Sunlight hazards
Lack of sunlight during flowering and fruit set can make smaller crops Lack of sunlight can stop photosynthesis and leading to underripening Direct light = sunburn = bitter flavors
30
Water
Photosynthesis Swelling during ripening
31
Transpiration
Water drawing from roots up to leaves
32
Leaf canopy
Helps control sunlight exposure Once established water supply can be limited to focus vine on grape ripening over shoot growth
33
Main irrigation techniques
Drip Sprinklers Flood
34
Drip irrigation
Most advanced and expensive Each vine has computer controlled dripper to optimize water distribution
35
Sprinklers (irrigation)
Widely used Cheaper than drip Waste a lot of water and can create damp conditions (increase disease risk)
36
Flood irrigation
Very cheap Only possible in flat or gently sloping vineyards with easy access to large quantities of water
37
Water hazards
Drought Too much water Hail
38
Drought (water)
Short water shortage = stopped transpiration Prolonged shortage or drought = water stress
39
Too much water
Vine continues to grow shoots and leaves = less sugar for grapes Extra leaves = more shading = restricted grape ripening Waterlogging avoided by planting on slope or flat sites or installing drainage
40
Hail (water)
Can damage grapes, vines, and entire crops Mendoza (Argentina) at risk Netting can protect against Multiple vineyards in several locations can help mitigate damage
41
Climate
Annual pattern of temperature, ,sunlight, and rainfall averaged over several years
42
Weather
Annual variation relative to climatic average
43
Northern hemisphere growing season
April to October
44
Southern hemisphere growing season
October to April
45
Cool climate
Average growing season temp of 16.5 C or less
46
Moderate climate
average 16.5 to 18.5 C
47
Warm climate
average 18.5 to 21 C
48
Hot climate
average above 20 C
49
Continental climate
High continentality Short summers with sharp temp drop in autumn
50
Cool continental climate
Chablis and Champagne Risk of spring frost and low growing season temp Best for late budding and early ripening varieties
51
Maritime climate
Low continentality Cool to moderate temperature Even rainfall Good for late ripening grapes Risk of early rainfall
52
Mediterranean climate
Low continentality Warm and dry summers Med, Coastal California, Chile, South Africa, SE Australia More warmth and sunlight than Maritime
53
Mediterranean climate wine
Fuller-bodied Riper tannin Higher alcohol Lower acidity
54
Soil location
Above bedrock Few centimeters to several meters deep Comprised of small particles, larger stones, humus
55
Humus
Decomposing plant and animal materials Rich in plant nutrients Excellent water retention
56
Stones: sand: and clay
Size is crucial Stones are largest, sand, clay
57
Water storage in soil
Binds to clay particle or humus Sand particles and stones facilitate drainage If too much sand or stone, irrigation might be needed
58
Vine water needs
Good supply in early season Mild water stress at veraison
59
Loam
Mix of sand and clay particles Found in many of the best vineyards
60
Important vine nutrients
Nitrogen Phosphorus Potassium
61
Chlorosis
Symptom of nutrient lack Yellow leaves and restricted photosynthesis Can be solved with fertilizer

WSET 4 (D1 - Wine Production) (8 decks)

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