Vineyard Management - WSET L3 in Wines Flashcards

1
Q

What are the main considerations when selecting a vineyard site?

A

Environmental conditions, business considerations, and grape variety suitability.

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2
Q

Why is soil drainage important in vineyard site selection?

A

Poor drainage can lead to waterlogging, while well-drained soils support healthy vine growth.

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3
Q

What is the typical first yield from a newly planted vineyard?

A

The third year after planting.

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4
Q

At what age are most vines replaced?

A

Between 30 and 50 years old.

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5
Q

Why are old vines valued?

A

They often produce fruit with greater flavor concentration but lower yields.

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6
Q

What does “fallow land” mean in vineyard management?

A

Land left unplanted to recover before replanting.

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7
Q

What are the two types of vine training?

A

Head training and cordon training.

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8
Q

What is the purpose of vine pruning?

A

To shape the vine, limit its size, and control the number and location of buds.

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9
Q

What are the two main styles of winter pruning?

A

Spur pruning and replacement cane pruning.

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10
Q

What is spur pruning?

A

Cutting one-year-old wood into short sections with 2–3 buds.

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11
Q

What is replacement cane pruning?

A

Retaining 1–2 long canes with 8–20 buds, often used in Guyot training.

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12
Q

What is summer pruning?

A

Trimming the canopy to focus sugar production on grapes and improve sunlight exposure.

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13
Q

What is the vine canopy?

A

All the green parts of the vine, including leaves and shoots.

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14
Q

What is the purpose of trellising?

A

To support vines, improve sunlight exposure, enhance air circulation, and aid mechanization.

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15
Q

What is Vertical Shoot Positioning (VSP)?

A

A trellis system that trains shoots vertically, keeping the canopy open and well-aerated.

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16
Q

Why are untrellised vines common in hot regions?

A

They provide natural shade, reducing the risk of sunburn.

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17
Q

What are the benefits of high planting density?

A

Encourages root competition, reducing vegetative growth and promoting fruit quality.

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18
Q

What factors determine planting density?

A

Soil fertility, water availability, and vineyard management goals.

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19
Q

What is green harvesting?

A

Removing immature grapes shortly after véraison to control yield and improve quality.

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20
Q

Why is green harvesting risky?

A

If done too early, the vine may compensate by enlarging the remaining grapes, diluting flavors.

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21
Q

What is yield in viticulture?

A

The amount of grapes produced, measured by weight or volume per hectare.

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22
Q

What is the primary goal of canopy management?

A

To optimize sunlight exposure, air circulation, and fruit quality.

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23
Q

What are nematodes?

A

Microscopic worms that attack vine roots and can transmit viruses.

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24
Q

How can nematodes be controlled?

A

By sanitizing soil before planting and using resistant rootstocks.

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25
Q

What are common pests in vineyards?

A

Birds, mammals, insects, and nematodes.

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26
Q

How can birds be managed in vineyards?

A

Using netting to protect grapes.

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27
Q

What is powdery mildew?

A

A fungal disease affecting vines in warm, humid conditions, treated with fungicides.

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28
Q

What is grey rot, and when is it beneficial?

A

A fungal disease caused by Botrytis cinerea; beneficial as noble rot for sweet wines.

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29
Q

How can fungal diseases be prevented?

A

Using fungicides, open canopies, and good air circulation.

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30
Q

What are vineyard viruses?

A

Infections that reduce vine yield and quality, spread via cuttings or nematodes.

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31
Q

How are bacterial vine diseases spread?

A

By sharpshooters, small insects.

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32
Q

What is sustainable agriculture in viticulture?

A

A system that minimizes chemical use by understanding pest lifecycles and timing treatments.

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33
Q

What is integrated pest management?

A

Encouraging natural predators of pests to reduce chemical use.

34
Q

What distinguishes organic agriculture?

A

Limited use of traditional treatments and mandatory certification.

35
Q

What is biodynamic agriculture?

A

A holistic approach incorporating organic practices and cosmic cycles.

36
Q

What is véraison?

A

The stage when grapes change color and begin to ripen.

37
Q

What determines the perfect ripeness of grapes?

A

The desired balance of sugar, acid, flavor, and tannin for the wine style.

38
Q

What factors can force an early harvest?

A

Hail, rain, or other poor weather conditions.

39
Q

What are the advantages of machine harvesting?

A

Speed, ability to work at night, and reduced costs.

40
Q

What are the disadvantages of machine harvesting?

A

Cannot harvest whole bunches and may collect unwanted materials.

41
Q

Why is hand harvesting necessary for noble rot grapes?

A

To select only the correctly affected grapes.

42
Q

What is winter pruning?

A

Removing unwanted wood to shape the vine and control bud count.

43
Q

What is the impact of low-density planting in high-rainfall regions?

A

Reduces water competition and supports healthy vine growth.

44
Q

What is the vineyard cycle?

A

Annual tasks including budburst, flowering, véraison, and harvest.

45
Q

How can frost damage be mitigated in vineyards?

A

Using heaters, wind machines, sprinklers, or planting on slopes.

46
Q

Why are vineyards replanted?

A

To replace aging vines with reduced yields and higher disease susceptibility.

47
Q

What is the purpose of plastic sleeves for young vines?

A

To protect them from animals.

48
Q

What is the role of carbohydrate reserves in vines?

A

To fuel early growth before photosynthesis starts.

49
Q

What is the importance of soil testing before planting?

A

To assess fertility and correct nutrient deficiencies.

50
Q

What is the main challenge of high rainfall in vineyards?

A

Increased risk of fungal diseases and reduced sunlight.

51
Q

What is a monoculture in viticulture?

A

Growing only vines, which can reduce biodiversity.

52
Q

Why is biodiversity important in vineyards?

A

It supports natural pest predators and improves soil health.

53
Q

What is the effect of too much vegetative growth?

A

Excess shading reduces fruit quality and ripening.

54
Q

What does the term “old vines” imply?

A

Established vines believed to produce high-quality fruit.

55
Q

What is coulure?

A

A condition where flowers fail to develop into grapes due to poor weather.

56
Q

What is millerandage?

A

The development of small, seedless grapes alongside normal ones.

57
Q

How is vineyard air circulation improved?

A

By using open canopies and managing vine density.

58
Q

What is the advantage of stackable trays in hand harvesting?

A

They minimize grape damage during transport.

59
Q

What is the role of trellis systems in disease control?

A

They improve airflow, reducing fungal risks.

60
Q

What is the impact of over-irrigation in vineyards?

A

Promotes excessive shoot growth, reducing grape quality.

61
Q

How does shading affect grape ripening?

A

It delays ripening and reduces sugar and flavor development.

62
Q

What is the significance of yield control?

A

It balances grape quantity with quality.

63
Q

What is a trellis?

A

A structure of posts and wires supporting vine growth.

64
Q

What does “replacement cane” refer to?

A

A retained cane for fruiting in the next growing season.

65
Q

What are the effects of low planting density?

A

Reduces vine competition for water and nutrients.

66
Q

Why is harvest timing critical?

A

To ensure the desired balance of flavors and ripeness.

67
Q

How are fungal diseases treated?

A

Using fungicides and proper canopy management.

68
Q

What factors influence the choice of grape variety?

A

Climate, soil, and market demand.

69
Q

How do steep slopes benefit vineyards?

A

Enhance drainage and increase sunlight exposure.

70
Q

What is the main limitation of machine harvesting?

A

Unsuitable for steep slopes or whole-bunch picking.

71
Q

What is the first stage of the vineyard cycle in spring?

A

Budburst, when buds swell and grow into shoots.

72
Q

What weather conditions are ideal during flowering?

A

Warm temperatures, plenty of sunshine, and little or no rain.

73
Q

What is the main risk during budburst?

A

Spring frosts, which can kill young shoots and reduce yields.

74
Q

What happens to grapes during véraison?

A

Grapes change color, soften, and begin to accumulate sugar while acids decrease.

75
Q

What is the purpose of green harvesting?

A

To reduce yields and improve grape quality by removing excess grape bunches.

76
Q

What are the advantages of hand harvesting?

A

Allows for grape selection, minimizes damage, and is suitable for steep vineyards.

77
Q

How do pests and diseases affect vineyard yields and grape quality?

A

They reduce yields, damage grapes, and may introduce off-flavors into wine.

78
Q

In a hot, dry region with no irrigation, what vineyard management strategy is recommended?

A

Low planting density to reduce water competition and bush vines to provide natural shade.

79
Q

In a cool, rainy region, what trellising system is preferred?

A

Vertical Shoot Positioning (VSP) to keep the canopy open and well-aerated.

80
Q

How does high planting density affect vines in fertile soils?

A

Encourages root competition, reducing excessive vegetative growth and improving fruit quality.