Topography Flashcards
What is topography?
The surface features of a given area, including: elevation/altitude steepness of a hillside aspect or direction a slope faces proximity to water
How does elevation affect grape growing?
Temperature decreases with increasing elevation. This can slow the ripening of grapes and make the resultant wine more balanced
How does the steepness of a vineyard affect the grape growing?
Much better drainage with less fertile soil due to erosion, making fewer grapes with more concentrated flavors.
Roots are forced to go deeper resulting in a healthier plant with larger fruit
Lower chance of frost as cool air will fall from upper slopes.
Harder to maintain during growing season and harvest, costing more to make the wine.
What do vineyards in valley floors experience and how does it affect grape growing?
Valley floors pool air and are susceptable to frost
Sometimes have overly fertile soil, producing small grapes and flabby and out of balance wines.
What is aspect and how does it affect the grapes?
Aspect is the direction the slope faces (N, S, E, W). Slopes that face the sun most of the day are the warmest and vise versa.
Depending on the climate, a desirable slope might face away from or into the sun.
Facing away will prolong ripening and maintain acidity levels for longer.
However, too little sun exposure will prevent full ripening and result in high acidic and out of balance wines.
How does proximity to water affect grapes?
As mentioned in the climate section, proximity to water can moderate temperatures in a vineyard and prevent extra heat or cold from damaging the grapes.
