The Vine & Growing Environment Flashcards
What is the main European vine species
Vitis Vinifera
What are the 2 techniques that may be used to propagate wines
Layering, Cutting
What is layering and what is the associated risk
Bending over a section of the vine and burying it. The major risk is phylloxera
True or false. The offspring of a vine propagated by layering or cutting is identical to the parent
True
What is cloning
Using cutting or layering to propagate positive characteristics of a vine occurring naturally by genetic mutation
True or false. The individual plants that comprise a clone are considered to be from the same grape variety
True
Give 2 examples where clones were significantly different to the parent resulting in them being considered a new variety.
Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris are both clones of Pinot Noir
How are man made new varieties created
Cross pollination of flowers from different varietals then planting of the resulting seeds
True or false. Cross pollination of flowers from the same varietal produces a plant with same genetic make up as the parents.
False
What happens in photosynthesis
The plant uses sunlight to convert water and carbon dioxide to glucose and oxygen
Name the green parts of the vine
Buds, tendrils, leaves, flowers or berries
What are bunches of vine flowers called
Inflorescences
How many buds do spurs and canes typically have after winter pruning
2-3 and around 20 respectively
What function do the roots of a vine serve
To absorb water and nutrients from the soil, anchor the vine and to store carbohydrates during winter
What is permanent wood
Wood that is more than 1 year old
What is a new variety called when produced from 2 parents of the same species. Give an example
Crossing. Cabernet Sauvignon is a cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc.
What are Pinotage and Muller Thurgau crossings between
Pinot Noir x Cinsault Riesling x Madeline Royal
What are hybrids and why are they important
Crossings between vines of different species. American x V Vinifera ( eg Vidal ). They are not suitable for making wine however they are used throughout the world for rootstocks
In which countries has phylloxera yet to be seen. Why American rootstocks still be used here despite the absence of the pest
Chile, parts of Argentina and S Australia. Provides resistance to other pests like nematodes and also drought
what are the 2 ways V Vinifera vines can be transferred onto American rootstocks
Bench grafting or Head grafting
What are the advantages of head grafting over bench grafting
Cheaper and if successful the vine with produce new fruit next vintage
What things does a healthy vine need
Heat, Water, Nutrients, Carbon Dioxide and Sunlight
Below what temperature can a vine not grow
10 C
What are the factors affecting Heat
Latitude, Altitude, Aspect, Ocean currents, Fog, Soil, Continentality & Diurnal Range
What is the term used to denote the change in color of grapes during the ripening process
Veraison
What does the vine do with the glucose it creates from photosynthesis
Combines it with the nutrients it absorbs from the soil to support its growth and ripening of grapes
what variables directly affect the quality and quantity of fruit a vine produces
Sunlight, water, temperature and availability of nutrients
What variable dictates which grapes can be grown where geographically
Amount of heat in the growing season
What factors might mitigate excessive heat and allow grapes to be grown outside of the typical 30 - 50 degree latitude band
Altitude ( cooling ), Ocean currents ( cooling or warming), Fog (cooling ), Soils ( warming ), Aspect (warming)
Why is aspect of a vineyard important
Vineyards which face the equator get the most heat from the sun. In cool climates southerly facing vineyards have a better chance of ripening fruit. Slope is also important and vines on steep southerly facing slopes receive more direct sunlight than others.
Discuss the effect of soil with respect to heat
dark soils or those with a high proportion of rocks and stones are likely to re-radiate heat which can warm the vine in cool climates. Soil with a high water content require energy to warm up which draws heat away from the vine possibly delaying budburst
What is High Continentality
A large temp difference between hottest and coldest months.
True or false. Areas near large bodies of water typically have high continentality
False
What does continentality affect with respect to grape growing
The total amount of heat available to a vine and therefore the length of the growing season
What is the name for the difference between daytime and nighttime temperatures
Diurnal Range
What is the effect of diurnal range on grapes
( In a Hot Climate ) High diurnal range - the grapes are cooled at night preserving acid and aromas. Low - accelerates ripening and loss of acid.
( In a Cool Climate ) High - vines get too cold.
In a cool climate what can mitigate a high diurnal range.
Bodies of water like lakes or rivers…at night they can warm the air and provide cooling breezes during the day
What are the effects of a hard or mild winter
temperatures below -20 C can kill the vines. Mild winters mean more pests and bugs survive to attack the vines the next summer
What can be done to mitigate spring frosts
Heaters, fans sprinkers ( used to form thing layer of ice on vines which acts as a protective layer ), vineyard design ( avoid depressions, use slopes, train vines hight to avoid low cool air pockets )
What is the effect of cold temperatures in the spring
Delayed budbreak, impacts flowering and fruit set resulting in reduced yield
What factors affect the amount of sunlight available to a vine
Latitude, Aspect, Seas and Lakes
Why can cloudy conditions cause problems in the spring
Sunlight is needed to support flowering and fruit set. Absence of sun can result in reduced crop. Cloud cover can also hinder photosynthesis resulting in under ripe fruit.
What happens to the grapes when there is too much intense sun. How can this be mitigated
Sunburn - bitter taste to the grapes. Canopy management
What is the process by which a vine draws water up through its roots to it’s leaves
Transpiration
What are the main types of irrigation
Drip - each vine has its own dripper. Sprinklers - waste a lot of water and create damp conditions that could cause disease. Flood - wasteful and can only be done on flat land.
What is the effect on a vine of too much water. How can this be mitigated
Vine will divert sugar away from ripening grapes and concentrate on growing leaves and shoots. The leaves will shade the grapes which will further restrict grape development. Water logged soil can saturate the roots killing the vine. Plant on slopes in soils with good drainage. Install drainage pipes
What are the hazards of heavy rainfall
Disruption of flowering and fruit set. Damp conditions encourage fungal disease. Heavy rain at harvest causes the grapes to swell and split leaving them prone to disease. Also dilutes the flavors
What is climate
The annual pattern of sunlight and rainfall averaged out over a period of several years
What are the average growing season temperatures for a Cool, Moderate, Warm and Hot climate
Cool = 16.5 C or below. Moderate = 16.5 to 18.5 C, Warm = 18.5 to 21 C, Hot = 21 C or more
Describe a Continental Climate giving an example of a region
Big difference between hottest and coldest months ( High Continentality). Short hot summers with a large rapid temp drop in autumn. Cool continental climates ( like Chablis ) are at risk from cool temps during growing season and frost in spring and fall
Describe a Maritime climate giving an example of a region
Cool or moderate temperatures with low continentality. Rainfall occurs evenly throughout the year moderating the temperature. Means that temps are warm enought to allow ripening well into the autumn. Eg Bordeaux
Describe a Mediterranean climate giving an example of a region
Low continentality with warm dry summers. Eg coastal CA, Penedes.
What kind of grapes are more suited to a Continental, Maritime and Mediterranean climate
Continental - Late bud / early ripen (Chardonnay)
Martime - late ripen ( Cabernet )
Mediterranean - Garnacha ( wines are generally fuller bodied, higher alcohol, higher tannin and lower acid
What is the name for decomposing plant and animal materials that make up part of the soil structure
Humus
How is water stored in soil
By binding with clay and humus
What is loam. Is it good or bad from vine growing and why
Mixture of sand and clay particles. Drains water well ( sand ) but retains enough for the vines needs
What are the nutrients required by a vine
Potassium, Nitrogen, Phosphorus
What disease can be caused by lack of nutrients
Chlorosis
