Vineyard Establishment

Question 1

Site selection

Answer 1

The growing environment of a vineyard depends on its location. For this reason, site selection is very important when determining where a vineyard could be planted. The style, quality and price of the wines to be made will be a key influence on site selection

Question 2

What is important to produce high volume, inexpensive or mid prices wines

Answer 2

For these wines, high yields of healthy grapes need to be produced consistently and relatively cheaply.
A flat, fertile site in a warm, dry climate may be ideal, for example Central Valley of Chile. The fertile soils and plentiful warmth (plus the option of irrigation) may mean high yields of grapes can be ripened adequately.
The dry climate may reduce the incidence of fungal diseases, which in turn could save money on fungicide spraying and grape sorting in the winery. Flat land also allows for mechanisation, which can be quicker and cheaper, especially for large vineyards.

Question 3

What is important to produce premium or super premium wines

Answer 3

The criteria for site selection may be very different. Obtaining healthy grapes of the optimum composition (Considering levels of sugar, acidity, colour, tannins and aroma compounds) for the style being made will be a priority, rather than keeping costs as low as possible.
In cool climates, the producer may look for sites that will maximise potential to ripen the grapes, such as those with aspects that will receive most sunshine throughout the day, as found in the Rheingau, Germany. Conversely, in warm climates the producer may favour relatively cool sites, such as those at high altitude, as seen in Lujan de Cujo in Mendoza, Argentina or those exposed to cooling sea breezes, as in Casablanca in Chile, to bring better balance to the wine.

Question 4

Time of budding - Choosing grape varieties

Answer 4

Early budding grape varieties, such as chardonnay are more at risk from sprink frost damage compared to late budding varieties such as Riesling

Question 5

Choosing grape variety - Duration of annual life-cycle

Answer 5

Early ripening grape varieties, such as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, are best suited to cool climates, ensuring that they reach a suitable level of ripeness before wet, cold weather starts towards late autumn. Late ripening grape varieties such as Mourvedre are better suited to warm and hot climates. Early ripening varieties in these climates would gain sugar and lose acidity too rapidly, resulting in unbalanced wines.

Question 6

Grape varieties - Tolerance of drought

Answer 6

Grape varieties that are able to withstand a high level of water stress, such as Grenache, can be the best option in dry climates such as the southern Rhone, Inland Spain and Mclaren Vale.

Question 7

Grape varieties - Resistance to diseases

Answer 7

Some grape varieties are less susceptible to fungal diseases, meaning that they require less monitoring and/or treating in damp climates. For example, Cabernet Sauvignon is less susceptible to grey rot than merlot, one of the reasos why these two grape varieties make useful blending partners, particularly in maritime Bordeaux.