Vineyard Management - WSET L3 in Wines Flashcards
What are the main considerations when selecting a vineyard site?
Environmental conditions, business considerations, and grape variety suitability.
Why is soil drainage important in vineyard site selection?
Poor drainage can lead to waterlogging, while well-drained soils support healthy vine growth.
What is the typical first yield from a newly planted vineyard?
The third year after planting.
At what age are most vines replaced?
Between 30 and 50 years old.
Why are old vines valued?
They often produce fruit with greater flavor concentration but lower yields.
What does “fallow land” mean in vineyard management?
Land left unplanted to recover before replanting.
What are the two types of vine training?
Head training and cordon training.
What is the purpose of vine pruning?
To shape the vine, limit its size, and control the number and location of buds.
What are the two main styles of winter pruning?
Spur pruning and replacement cane pruning.
What is spur pruning?
Cutting one-year-old wood into short sections with 2–3 buds.
What is replacement cane pruning?
Retaining 1–2 long canes with 8–20 buds, often used in Guyot training.
What is summer pruning?
Trimming the canopy to focus sugar production on grapes and improve sunlight exposure.
What is the vine canopy?
All the green parts of the vine, including leaves and shoots.
What is the purpose of trellising?
To support vines, improve sunlight exposure, enhance air circulation, and aid mechanization.
What is Vertical Shoot Positioning (VSP)?
A trellis system that trains shoots vertically, keeping the canopy open and well-aerated.
Why are untrellised vines common in hot regions?
They provide natural shade, reducing the risk of sunburn.
What are the benefits of high planting density?
Encourages root competition, reducing vegetative growth and promoting fruit quality.
What factors determine planting density?
Soil fertility, water availability, and vineyard management goals.
What is green harvesting?
Removing immature grapes shortly after véraison to control yield and improve quality.
Why is green harvesting risky?
If done too early, the vine may compensate by enlarging the remaining grapes, diluting flavors.
What is yield in viticulture?
The amount of grapes produced, measured by weight or volume per hectare.
What is the primary goal of canopy management?
To optimize sunlight exposure, air circulation, and fruit quality.
What are nematodes?
Microscopic worms that attack vine roots and can transmit viruses.
How can nematodes be controlled?
By sanitizing soil before planting and using resistant rootstocks.
What are common pests in vineyards?
Birds, mammals, insects, and nematodes.
How can birds be managed in vineyards?
Using netting to protect grapes.
What is powdery mildew?
A fungal disease affecting vines in warm, humid conditions, treated with fungicides.
What is grey rot, and when is it beneficial?
A fungal disease caused by Botrytis cinerea; beneficial as noble rot for sweet wines.
How can fungal diseases be prevented?
Using fungicides, open canopies, and good air circulation.
What are vineyard viruses?
Infections that reduce vine yield and quality, spread via cuttings or nematodes.
How are bacterial vine diseases spread?
By sharpshooters, small insects.
What is sustainable agriculture in viticulture?
A system that minimizes chemical use by understanding pest lifecycles and timing treatments.
What is integrated pest management?
Encouraging natural predators of pests to reduce chemical use.
What distinguishes organic agriculture?
Limited use of traditional treatments and mandatory certification.
What is biodynamic agriculture?
A holistic approach incorporating organic practices and cosmic cycles.
What is véraison?
The stage when grapes change color and begin to ripen.
What determines the perfect ripeness of grapes?
The desired balance of sugar, acid, flavor, and tannin for the wine style.
What factors can force an early harvest?
Hail, rain, or other poor weather conditions.
What are the advantages of machine harvesting?
Speed, ability to work at night, and reduced costs.
What are the disadvantages of machine harvesting?
Cannot harvest whole bunches and may collect unwanted materials.
Why is hand harvesting necessary for noble rot grapes?
To select only the correctly affected grapes.
What is winter pruning?
Removing unwanted wood to shape the vine and control bud count.
What is the impact of low-density planting in high-rainfall regions?
Reduces water competition and supports healthy vine growth.
What is the vineyard cycle?
Annual tasks including budburst, flowering, véraison, and harvest.
How can frost damage be mitigated in vineyards?
Using heaters, wind machines, sprinklers, or planting on slopes.
Why are vineyards replanted?
To replace aging vines with reduced yields and higher disease susceptibility.
What is the purpose of plastic sleeves for young vines?
To protect them from animals.
What is the role of carbohydrate reserves in vines?
To fuel early growth before photosynthesis starts.
What is the importance of soil testing before planting?
To assess fertility and correct nutrient deficiencies.
What is the main challenge of high rainfall in vineyards?
Increased risk of fungal diseases and reduced sunlight.
What is a monoculture in viticulture?
Growing only vines, which can reduce biodiversity.
Why is biodiversity important in vineyards?
It supports natural pest predators and improves soil health.
What is the effect of too much vegetative growth?
Excess shading reduces fruit quality and ripening.
What does the term “old vines” imply?
Established vines believed to produce high-quality fruit.
What is coulure?
A condition where flowers fail to develop into grapes due to poor weather.
What is millerandage?
The development of small, seedless grapes alongside normal ones.
How is vineyard air circulation improved?
By using open canopies and managing vine density.
What is the advantage of stackable trays in hand harvesting?
They minimize grape damage during transport.
What is the role of trellis systems in disease control?
They improve airflow, reducing fungal risks.
What is the impact of over-irrigation in vineyards?
Promotes excessive shoot growth, reducing grape quality.
How does shading affect grape ripening?
It delays ripening and reduces sugar and flavor development.
What is the significance of yield control?
It balances grape quantity with quality.
What is a trellis?
A structure of posts and wires supporting vine growth.
What does “replacement cane” refer to?
A retained cane for fruiting in the next growing season.
What are the effects of low planting density?
Reduces vine competition for water and nutrients.
Why is harvest timing critical?
To ensure the desired balance of flavors and ripeness.
How are fungal diseases treated?
Using fungicides and proper canopy management.
What factors influence the choice of grape variety?
Climate, soil, and market demand.
How do steep slopes benefit vineyards?
Enhance drainage and increase sunlight exposure.
What is the main limitation of machine harvesting?
Unsuitable for steep slopes or whole-bunch picking.
What is the first stage of the vineyard cycle in spring?
Budburst, when buds swell and grow into shoots.
What weather conditions are ideal during flowering?
Warm temperatures, plenty of sunshine, and little or no rain.
What is the main risk during budburst?
Spring frosts, which can kill young shoots and reduce yields.
What happens to grapes during véraison?
Grapes change color, soften, and begin to accumulate sugar while acids decrease.
What is the purpose of green harvesting?
To reduce yields and improve grape quality by removing excess grape bunches.
What are the advantages of hand harvesting?
Allows for grape selection, minimizes damage, and is suitable for steep vineyards.
How do pests and diseases affect vineyard yields and grape quality?
They reduce yields, damage grapes, and may introduce off-flavors into wine.
In a hot, dry region with no irrigation, what vineyard management strategy is recommended?
Low planting density to reduce water competition and bush vines to provide natural shade.
In a cool, rainy region, what trellising system is preferred?
Vertical Shoot Positioning (VSP) to keep the canopy open and well-aerated.
How does high planting density affect vines in fertile soils?
Encourages root competition, reducing excessive vegetative growth and improving fruit quality.
