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WSET Diploma Unit 2 (OUT OF DATE) > Vineyard Establishment > Flashcards

Vineyard Establishment Flashcards

1
Q

What is planting density?

A

A calculation of the amount of vines in a 1 hectare plot

Planting Density equals the number of rows multiplied by the number of vines per row

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2
Q

What is a hectare?

A

An area measuring 100m x 100m

10,000 square meters

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3
Q

What is the relationship between quality and high density planting?

A

High density planting has very little direct correlation to fruit quality, but it does offer increases in total effective leaf surface

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4
Q

What factors determine the balance between a vine’s root system and its canopy?

A

Vine Vigor

Planting Density

Soil Fertility

Training System

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5
Q

Should planting density increase or decrease in low fertility soils?

A

Increase

Vine vigor is low in poor soils, so it is best to plant in high densities or, st least, with less room between vines in a row

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6
Q

Why is it important to decrease planting density on soils with high fertility?

A

The vines will express more vigorous vegetative growth, shooting longer, thicker canes. This can bunch up the area between vines, clog up the fruiting zone, and make vineyard management impossible.

Even though there is competition among vines, it is not significant enough to reduce the amount of vigor such that high density planting is feasible.

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7
Q

In low water situations, is it better to have high or low planting density?

A

Low planting density

The vines will need to access as much of the soil’s stored water as possible

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8
Q

When a site is chosen, what is the next choice to be made?

A

Selecting a cultivar to plant

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9
Q

What are the main criteria for selecting a variety to cultivate?

A

Quality of the variety

The rate at which the variety completes its vegetative and reproductive cycles

Yield Potential

Resistance to disease

Legislation

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10
Q

Why is the quality of the varietal important to consider when preparing a site for viticulture?

A

Genetic characteristics are the most dominant factor in predetermining wine style and quality

Climate can affect levels of sugar, acid, pigment, tannin, and flavor intensity

Winemaking can maintain or lower inherent fruit quality

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11
Q

Why is the pace at which a grapevine completes its vegetative and reproductive cycles important for viticulture?

A

To ensure the grapes progress through their vegetative and reproductive cycles at the selected site with minimal risk of disease or injury

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12
Q

What rationale determines whether the vines will be planted in the cooler or warmer margins of it’s development range?

A

It is generally argued that the cooler margins of a grapevine’s ripening temperatures are best for preserving delicate aromatic chemicals.

Warmer ranges for a varietal are better suited for yielding quantity over quality.

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13
Q

Why is it important to plant the correct varietal on the first attempt when establishing a viticutural site?

A

It is expensive and time consuming to replant vines

Head grafting is similarly expensive and labor intensive

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14
Q

What factors make the issue of cultivar selection complex?

A

The vast number of cultivars usable for wine production. Jancis Robinson in “Wine Grapes” lists almost 1,400 varieties.

Choice of clone

Rootstock decision

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15
Q

A small number of varieties comprise a majority of vineyard plantings around the world. How many varieties? What percentage?

A

20 cultivars cover 55% of global vineyard area

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16
Q

What can be done to maximize or minimize a vineyard’s exposure to sunlight, especially in cool climates?

A

Trellis Design

Row Orientation

Canopy Management

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17
Q

What preparations might be done to a vineyard site before planting vines?

A

Deep Rock Removal

Soil Ripping

Drainage and Irrigation Installation

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18
Q

What factors influence vineyard design?

A

Slope

Drainage

Planning/Appellation Legislation

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19
Q

What are the goals of vineyard design?

A

To achieve commercial and quality objectives

To facilitate vineyard operations, whether mechanized or human

To minimize environmental damage

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20
Q

Why might high levels of vineyard mechanization be desirable?

A

It can keep costs under control, especially in large vineyards and remote vineyards

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21
Q

What vineyard design options are available to minimize soil erosion?

A

Contour Planting

Terracing

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22
Q

What is Contour Planting? When should it be considered?

A

Planting across a slope following its elevation lines

It is practical on slopes exceeding 10% (5.7°)

aka Contour Farming, Contour Plowing

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23
Q

What is Hedgerow Planting?

A

A tactic of increasing biodiversity in a vineyard by planting hedges, flowers, and other vegetation to attract insects and other animals. It is used to improve the ecological quality of a vineyard site.

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24
Q

Why is vineyard biodiversity important?

A

The allocation of refuges and corridors to animals an help increase the predation of pests that are destructive to the vine.

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25
Q

What is the formula for calculating planting density (in metric)?

A

The number of vines in a 100 meter row multiplied by the number of rows in a hectare

(100 / number of vines) x (100 / distance between rows)

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26
Q

What relationship does soil fertility have with planting density and trellis choice?

A

Low fertility soils permit high density planting and simple, small trellises

High fertility soils require more space between vines (lower planting density) and larger trellis systems

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27
Q

What is Soil Potential?

A

Another term for soil fertility

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28
Q

How does the decision of which cultivar to grow affect planting density?

A

Some cultivars have more vigorous growth and/or longer internodes, thus requiring more space within the row

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29
Q

What affects the choice of distance between rows of vines?

A

Avoidance of shading in the fruit zone of adjacent vines

Operating costs of spraying and weed control, and specialized machinery

Cost of buying, preparing, and planting the vines

Choice of trellis design

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30
Q

What is the desired distance between vines in a row?

A

Any distance that will offer about 15 shoots per meter

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31
Q

How should vine rows be oriented in cooler climates? Why?

A

North to South

This maximizes sunlight interception on both sides of the vine, providing the most available heat and light

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32
Q

What vineyard practices at be required on North-South oriented vine rows in moderate or warm climates? Why?

A

Less leaf trimming on the west-facing side of the vine to prevent overheating.

Temperatures in the afternoon are generally warmer than the morning.

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33
Q

How should vine rows be oriented in hotter climates? Why?

A

East to West

Shadier canopies may be unable to offset the risk of west-facing fruit overheating.

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34
Q

When does it become appropriate to plant vine rows along a contour?

A

If the slope exceeds 10% (5.7°)

On a slope of a particular aspect

According to soil type

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35
Q

Why is site preparation important?

A

To optimize the underground vineyard environment. Even though nutrients may be added, preparing the ground ahead of time can ensure healthy vines.

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36
Q

What are the stages of site (soil) preparation?

A

Soil Disinfection

Subsoil Cultivation

Soil Analysis

Soil Amendment/Fertilization

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37
Q

What is the first step of preparing a site for viticulture?

A

Remove existing vegetation, large stones, former vines, trees, etc.

Rooted plants should be dug up and burned so as to prevent possible spreading of fungal disease.

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38
Q

How long does it take to clear a potential vineyard site for planting?

A

Several months, though some producers may leave their fields fallow for up to a year

This pause allows time for the soil to settle

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39
Q

When are small dips in the terrain solved when preparing the vineyard site? How?

A

As soon as possible by removing the topsoil, leveling the subsoil, and topping it again

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40
Q

How can the risk of soil erosion be minimized prior to planting the vines?

A

Planting trees or digging ditches above the field

Establishing paths with ditches or surface guttering

Planting along contours

41
Q

What part of the soil needs to be prepared or amended? Why?

A

The top one meter

The vine’s roots are found here and must establish deep and strong for favorable and healthy vine growth

42
Q

What factors in the soil might inhibit root growth?

A

Soil Compaction

Hardpans

Water logging abuse by these issues

43
Q

What is a Hardpan?

A

More or less horizontal subsurface layers of hard clays or carbonates

They can restrict root penetration and encourage waterlogging

44
Q

What is the optimal rooting depth of a vine in a vineyard?

A

70cm in vineyards with irrigation

100cm in vineyards without irrigation

45
Q

What is the goal of appropriate ground preparation?

A

To optimize water drainage and availability, the supply of nutrients to the vine, and the flow of oxygen into the root system

To reduce threats to vine roots caused by waterlogging and/or inadequate soil aeration

46
Q

When should posts and support wires for infrastructure (irrigation systems, etc.) be installed?

A

Prior to planting

47
Q

What farming technique can be used to add organic material into soil and reduce the risk of soil erosion?

A

Planting a cover crop.

Allowing a cover crop to grow for a year and then plowing it into the soil adds organic matter

Growing a cover crop around the vines helps reduce erosion

48
Q

True or False

It is easy to make major changes to the physical properties of a soil before planting.

A

False

The physical properties of a soil cannot be amended, though its chemical properties are easily influenced

49
Q

What are the requirements of a good soil for viticulture?

A

Retention of soil moisture

Drainage

Aeration for root and microbe growth

Friable, stable structure that does not easily compact or disintegrate

These soils are, generally, loams

50
Q

What types of soils are difficult to chemically ameliorate?

A

Those which are too salty, too sodic, or too alkaline

Salty soils have high levels of all salts (i.e. Magnesium, Calcium, Carbonate) while sodic soils are only high in Sodium (as a salt or otherwise)

51
Q

What types of obstacles might exist before planting that should be cleared?

A

Pre-existing vegetation

Tree roots

Fences and other obstacles that might impede machinery

52
Q

What risks do dips in the soil pose to vineyards?

A

They can accumulate water, causing root asphyxiation and making machinery use difficult

53
Q

What soil pH level is preferred before planting vines? How is this typically achieved?

A

pH between 5.5 and 8, preferably above 6.5

The addition of calcite (calcium carbonate), magnesite (magnesium carbonate), or dolomite (a mixture of calcite and magnesite)

54
Q

What mineral can be used to improve soil structure? How does it work?

A

Gypsum (Calcium Sulfate)

Reduces surface soil dispersion

Minimizes sub-surface soil swelling, improving aeration and drainage

55
Q

Why is soil disinfection important?

A

Nematodes carrying viruses, specifically fan-leaf virus, may exist in the soil and are a risk to young vines.

Soil disinfection is generally good practice even if nematode resistant rootstocks are being used

56
Q

At what depth are hardpans problematic to viticulture? How can they be dealt with prior to planting vines?

A

The top one meter

They can be broken up by soil ripping

57
Q

What is soil ripping?

A

A common technique used to break up hardpans and shallow sub-surface rock layers up to one meter in depth

The goal is to allow water to drain, encourage root growth and root zone depth. It also aids setting up both trellises and pipelines.

58
Q

After the physical aspects of the soil have been decided, what is the next step before planting vines?

A

Altering the chemical and biological content of the soil

59
Q

What is deep ploughing?

A

Digging into the soil to depths greater than one meter

60
Q

What is the first stage in testing a soil’s chemistry?

A

Measuring pH

61
Q

Which minerals are not very mobile in soil? When should they be applied?

A

Potassium (K) and Zinc (Zn)

They should be applied before planting

62
Q

Why is soil pH important for viticulture?

A

It affects the vine’s uptake of nutrients

63
Q

How does pH influence the application of fertilizer in a vineyard?

A

As pH affects nutrient solubility, the application of fertilizer and other organic matter is strongly tied to the level of soil pH.

64
Q

What level of organic matter is preferred in vineyard soil? How is it achieved?

A

Above 2%, typically raised through fertilization or by digging in cover crops to improve structure and add humus content

65
Q

What alternative to chemical disinfection can be employed to kill nematodes at a vineyard site? Where is it appropriate to use?

A

Leaving the soil fallow for 5-8 years

Only required in vinegrowing areas with a history of viral and nematode problems

66
Q

True or False

Soil analysis is the preferred way to measure soil nutrition in the vineyard, both before and after planting.

A

False

Soil analysis may be used before planting to determine how to ameliorate the soil

After planting, the study of the vine’s parts (petiole analysis, etc.) is used to understand soil nutrition

67
Q

What is liming?

A

The addition of limestones such as Calcite, Dolomite, or Magnesite

68
Q

What is Calcite?

A

A limestone with the chemical composition of Calcium Carbonate

69
Q

What is Dolomite?

A

A limestone that is a mixture of Magnesite (Magnesium Carbonate) and Calcite (Calicium Carbonate)

70
Q

What is Magnesite?

A

A limestone with the chemical composition of Magnesium Carbonate

71
Q

What materials other than limestones might be used to increase the pH of a soil? Which of these is preferred?

A

Marl (preferred)

Oyster Shells

72
Q

What is Marl?

A

A natural crumbly mix of clay and limestone. It can be cultured by adding limestone to clay soil.

73
Q

When should limestone be added to a soil?

A

If the pH is lower than 5.5

74
Q

At what depth should limestone be added to a soil? Why?

A

Liming should take place at 30-40cm or deeper because it takes too long to become active when applied on or near the surface.

Lime is insoluble and thus has little effect on acid soils if placed near the surface.

75
Q

When should nutrients that become slowly available to the vine be applied to a soil?

A

Before planting vines

76
Q

Why should Phosphorus be applied to a soil before the vines are planted?

A

Phosphorus adsorbs to other soil minerals. It creates a film around other minerals and is not mobile, thus lasting in the soil for long periods of time

77
Q

What does soil testing measure?

A

Soil pH

Nutrient levels

Soil structure

Organic Matter

78
Q

How much organic matter has been cited as added to new vineyard sites?

A

10 tons per hectare

79
Q

What is waterlogging? How is it defined?

A

Waterlogging is the retention of water by a soil in the vine’s root zone.

It is defined by how much water enters a soil and how rapidly it leaves by percolation, evaporation, or transpiration.

80
Q

Why is waterlogging hurtful to vines?

A

It deprives the roots of air and increases the vine’s susceptibility to attack by root diseases

81
Q

What options are available to solve waterlogging issues?

A

Soil Amelioration

Subsoil Deep Ripping

Ploughing

Ditch Digging

Drainage Pipes

82
Q

What soil amelioration techniques can improve drainage?

A

Application of farmyard manure and/or organic matter, sand, grit, and lime

83
Q

What are the benefits and costs of using ditches for additional drainage?

A

The cheapest method of artificial drainage, it is easy to create but requires a favorable slope

It is important to maintain and clean the ditches and their outfalls every few years

84
Q

What types of drainage pipes are used in vineyards? How and when are they installed?

A

Perforated plastic pipes are more common than clay pipes, but both are used.

They are typically installed following deep ploughing before the vines are planted.

85
Q

What is mole ploughing? On what soils is it most useful?

A

A bullet-shaped piece of metal is attached to a vertical blade and dragged through the sub-soil to create a channel.

It is most effective on heavier clay soils lacking rocks

86
Q

What is terracing? When should it be considered?

A

The levelling of soil along a slope to create step-like gradations on which the vines will grow.

It is expensive to do because of the retaining walls (typically of grass or stone) needed to keep the soil in place. Terracing is only practical on slopes over 20% (11.3°).

87
Q

How can vines be planted to maximize machine operation efficiency?

A

In straight rows or softly curved rows on contours

88
Q

When are vines typically planted? Why?

A

Spring

To maximize the cutting’s growth and establish as much growth and root system as possible before winter

89
Q

What benefits does machine planting offer?

A

Time and cost saving

Precise, often laser-guided

90
Q

How is hand planting executed?

A

Typically along guidance wires extended between the row ends that are marked at the correct spacing intervals.

91
Q

In soils where the pH has been risen too much (temporarily) by liming, what may happen to young, newly planted vines?

A

The vines may struggle to establish themselves and become susceptible to magnesium and micronutrient deficiencies

92
Q

How can young vines be protected against pests?

A

Wrapping the young vines in plastic sleeves can protect against herbivorous pests (rabbits, deer, etc.)

Placing a mulch such as a black plastic sheet can protect against weeds

93
Q

What are hazardous to young vines?

A

Herbivorous pests (rabbits, deer, sheep, etc)

Weeds

Wind

94
Q

True or False

Irrigation of young vines is generally permitted everywhere, even in the most traditional old world locations

A

True

95
Q

Why are weeds hazardous to young vines?

A

Weeds compete for the same resources (water and nutrients)

96
Q

What encourages young vines to survive autumn frosts and winter cold? What can be done to help?

A

Early season growth encourages strong root development and cane maturation.

Supplementary Nitrogen (N) can be applied to the soil to facilitate the vine’s development.

97
Q

What are the advantages of mulching with a black plastic sheet?

A

Young plants will not suffer from drought, even in dry summers

There is no weed competition

Soil structure under the row is maintained

Soil temperature increases, thus increasing microbial activity

98
Q

What are the disadvantages of mulching with a black plastic sheet?

A

The initial expense of the plastic and equipment to lay it down

Increased frost risk due to rapid development

Weeds may develop at the base of the vine

Plastic may harbor slugs, mice, and snakes

Removal of the plastic is arduous and disposal is difficult

Promotes superficial rooting (roots become restricted to the surface

WSET Diploma Unit 2 (OUT OF DATE) (18 decks)

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