VIni & Viti Flashcards
What is Malolactic Fermentation?
Secondary fermentation that converts the malic acid into softer dairy like lactic acid.
What is a clone?
A vine with genetic variation that is specifically selected for a particular characteristic.
I.e.:Drought & Disease resistance. Specific fruit character
What is an organic wine?
A wine made from grapes grown without any use of synthetic pesticides or additives and made without the addition of sulfites although naturally occurring will still be present.
Who developed the agricultural philosophies that Biodynamic farming is based on?
Rudolph Steiner (1924)
What are sustainable practices in wine cultivation?
Water conservation, renewable resources & habitat development.
* Practices that are ecologically sound, economically and socially responsible.
What is the combination of two vines of the same species?
Crossing
What is the combination of two vines from two differing species?
Hybrid
What type of vineyard site is Champagne?
Macroclimate- climate on the regional level
Also includes Napa Valley and Marlborough
What vineyard or area would be considered a Mesoclimate?
A single vineyard or sub appellation.
Example: Oakville
What is a Microclimate?
The climate for an individual vine
What is Aspect?
The direction the vines face, the angle and height of the slope.
What are the benefits of a sloping vineyard?
Greater sun strength in a temperate climate.
Natural drainage.
What effect does altitude have on vineyard temperature?
For every 100 meters (330 ft) above sea level temperature fall 1 degree C (1.8 degrees F)
What effect do bodies of water have on a vineyard?
Warms cold regions via convection & reflection. (Mosel)
Cool ocean currents can moderate warmer climates. (Santa Barbara)
Climate vs Weather
Climate: Determined by geographical location. (What should be)
Weather: result of how nature affects climate on a daily basis. (What it is)
What is the ideal mean temperature to grow grapes?
57-59 degrees F.
Averaging no less than 66 degrees in Summer and 30 degrees in winter.
How much rain is required for a vine to thrive?
27 inches
What methods are used to combat frost?
Aspersion (spraying with sprinklers)
Smudge pots
Fans
Planting away from frost pockets
What is the area most prone to hail?
Piedmont
What is the effect of hail in spring?
Damages flowers which effects pollination & fruit set, leading to smaller yields.
What happens when hail damages a vines leaves?
Slows photosynthesis and translocation of sugars during ripening.
What is powdery mildew and how do you treat it?
- Aka Oidium
- Fungus native to North America
- Spreads in dry conditions
- Prevent by aerating canopy and spraying sulfur. Organic vineyard uses mineral oil.
What is downy mildew?
AKA persona sport
A fungus of European origin.
Infected grapes turn leathery and shrivel.
How do you treat Downey Mildew?
Difficult to remove.
Prevent with proper canopy aeration.
Spray with “Bordeaux mixture”(Lime & copper sulfate)
What is grey rot?
AKA Botrytis
Occurs and spreads in wet, humid conditions.
Damaged grapes are at the most risk.
What is leaf roll?
A common virus that causes leaves to roll and change color.
Will eventually lower yields.
No treatment.
What is fan leaf?
A virus that distorts leaves, affects photosynthesis and lowers yields.
No treatment. Pull vines & leave vineyard dormant for 4-7 years.
What are Nepoviruses?
A group of 13 viruses that are spread by nematodes.
Vineyard must be pulled up to treat.
What cause Phylloxera?
Root louse that feeds on the root system of vitis vinifera depriving the vine of sugars & nutrients. Leaving the vine susceptible to other diseases.
How is Phylloxera prevented?
Grafting vitis vinifera vines on to American rootstock.
What is the best method to handle a Nematode infestation?
Use resistant rootstock
Make sure infected vines are not spread.
Soil fumigation but expensive and not environmentally friendly.
What are the most Phylloxera resistant rootstocks?
Berlandieri
Riparia
Rupestris
What are the ideal conditions to encourage Noble Rot?
Temperate climate.
Morning mist.
Warm, sunny afternoons.
What terms are used to describe ripeness levels?
Brix
Ochsle (Germany)
Baume (France)
What process creates sugar (sucrose) in the vine?
Photosynthesis
What is sucrose broken down into when its transported from leaves to grapes?
Glucose and Fructose
What are the two most important acids in the grape?
Malic & Tartaric
What happens to malic & tartaric acid as the grape ripens?
Malic levels lower
Tartaric levels rise
What are the main phenolic compounds found in grapes/wine?
Flavonoids
Tannins
Anthocyanins
What do Flavanoids contribute to a wine?
Color
Astringency
Texture
Antioxidant properties
What type of tannins would result in grapes grown in a cooler climate?
Green, rough tannins.
Examples: Loire Cabernet Franc
Would smaller or larger berries create a more concentrated wine?
Smaller berries yield a greater skin to juice ratio.
What is cane pruning also known as?
Guyot
What is the first sign of a vine waking from winter dormancy?
Weeping: sap rising out of pruned cane ends.
When does bud break occur?
Northern Hemisphere: March-April
Southern Hemisphere: Sept- Oct
What is an embryo bunch?
Tiny green clusters from which the vine flowers.
When does a vine flower?
North Hemisphere: May- June
South Hemisphere: Nov- December
When does fruit set occur?
North Hemisphere: June-July
Southern Hemisphere: Dec- Jan
When does veraison occur?
Northern Hemisphere: August
Southern Hemisphere: January
When does harvest occur?
Northern Hemisphere: Aug-Oct
Southern Hemisphere: February- March
What is the life cycle of a vine for a season?
Weeping Bud Break Embryo Buches/Shoots FLowering Fruit Set Veraison Harvest
What type of acid is added to acidify wine?
Tartaric acid
What would you add to deacidify a wine?
Calcium bicarbonate or potassium bicarbonate is added to a portion of the must.
What would you add to a wine to prevent MLF, protect from bacteria or oxidation?
Sulfur dioxide
Yeast + Sugar= ?
Alcohol + CO2+Heat
What is the hardiest, most commonly used yeast in winemaking?
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
What are the 3 types of methods for rose productions?
Saignee- A rose by product of red wine production
Limited maceration method
Blending Red and white wine (really only used in sparkling wine production)
What metabolic process occurs in carbonic maceration
Intercellular fermentation
