Vini, Viti, Climate, Tasting ect Flashcards
Are there any places in the world today that remain free of phylloxera?
Chile and Some areas in South Australia and Argentina
Of the two main vine species, which is the most widely used around the world for quality wine production?
Vitis vinifera is most used for fine wine grape growing in the world.
What are 2 different ways a vine can be propagated?
Cutting and Layering
What is clonal selection?
When a vine naturally mutates and its new, positive characteristics are propogated by cutting or layering.
Explain grafting.
Grafting is a procedure used to fuse budwood of a desired variety (usually V. vinifera) onto another rootstock (usually a North American vine).
What is head grafting and why is it used?
Head grafting is when a vine’s top, or head, is cut off its trunk and the cutting of a new variety is grafted on to the trunk where the old head was. The purpose of head grafting is to switch out grape varieties instead of uprooting and replanting an entire vineyard. Head grafting will produce fruit the year after the grafting, and it’s a lot less expensive than replanting an entire vineyard with the added bonus of keeping the established trunk and roots.
What is the crossing of Cabernet Sauvignon?
Cabernet Franc x Sauvignon Blanc
What is the crossing of Müller-Thurgau?
Riesling x Madeleine Royale
What is the crossing of Pinotage?
Cinsault x Pinot Noir
Explain the importance of a vine’s leaves.
Leaves are what drive the plant’s growth. Via photosynthesis, leaves use sunshine to convert water and CO2 into the things it needs to grow: glucose and oxygen.
What is transpiration?
Transpiration is the process of how water is absorbed by a vine’s roots, transported throughout the plant, and out of its leaves in vapor form. The warmer the climate, the faster water evaporates from the leaves, which means the vine needs more water from the soil.
What are the buds on a vine?
Buds are primordial shoots found between a shoot and a leaf.
What are some important factors to consider when deciding where to establish a new vineyard?
- Environmental/Climate considerations 2. Trade/Business considerations 3. Which grape(s) to plant?
What are the 2 main types of vine training?
Head training and Cordon Training
What is a synonym for Bush vines?
Gobelet – so called as it is resembles the shape of a wine glass or goblet.
How big is a hectare?
A square stretch of land that has 100-meter sides
1 acre is approximately how many hectares?
1 acre = .4 hectares (or 0,4ha) and Conversely, 1 hectare = 2.47 acres
If a region has good water availability + soil with just-enough nutrients, would it make sense that a vineyard’s planting density be higher or lower?
Higher because with all that water available vines will produce a profuse canopy. Higher density planting increases competition which will curb the vines’ tendency to put all their energy into the canopy.
What does yield measure?
Yield measures the quantity of grapes produced, in weight or volume.
What happens to grapes during berry ripening?
Sugars increase; Acidity levels decrease; Tannins develop and become less astringent.
What is green harvesting and when is it done?
Dropping underdeveloped grape clusters right after véraison. Viticulturists will literally walk their vineyards and cut off immature grape clusters, leaving them on the ground.
How does the vine react if green harvesting is done at the wrong time?
The vine will increase the size of berries on the remaining clusters, which can dilute flavors and increase yield (in weight and/or volume).
What are nematodes, and what damage can they cause to a vine?
Nematodes are microscopic worms that eat the roots of vines, leaving open wounds through which viruses are known to enter.
What are the 3 types of diseases that affect vines?
- Fungal. 2. Viral 3. Bacterial
Name 3 fungal diseases.
- Downy mildew, 2. Powdery mildew, 3. Grey Rot
How do Downy or Powdery Mildew affect vines and their grapes?
- All green parts and their grapes can be covered in this fungus; 2. Grapes’ fruit flavors are diminished and contaminated with a moldy, bitter flavor.
What is the typical fungicide treatment for Powdery Mildew?
Sulfur-based spray
What is the typical fungicide treatment for Downy Mildew?
Bordeaux mixture, a copper-based spray
How are fungal diseases controlled?
Fungicides
What are the treatments or cures for viral diseases?
There are none.
How do viruses spread in vines?
- Nematodes and 2. Cuttings
What are the treatments or cures for bacterial diseases?
There are none.
Describe sustainable agriculture.
use of synthetic chemicals is restricted but not prohibited; spraying or applying chemicals only when needed; practicing Integrated Pest Management - introducing natural predators to control pests; create biodiversity in the vineyard.
Describe organic viticulture.
synthetic chemicals not allowed; the only real chemicals allowed are sulfur and copper, and their applications are restricted; if a winery wants to be certified organic, they must apply for accreditation with one of the certifying bodies and work their vineyard organically for at least 2 or more years prior to certification.
Describe biodynamic agriculture.
Biodynamics is much more than a method, it is a spiritual science, a belief system — a holistic way of seeing and understanding the natural world that focuses on regenerative practices. Biodynamics sees the vineyard as an ecological whole: not just rows of grapevines, but the soil beneath them—an organism in its own right—and the other flora and fauna in the area, growing together interdependently. Where biodynamics differs from organic or sustainable agriculture is in its idea that farming can be attuned to the spiritual forces of the cosmos. This might mean linking sowing and harvesting to the phases of the moon or the positions of the planets
What are the top three most important nutrients for vines?
Nitrogen, Phosphoros, Patassium.
What is chlorosis?
Chlorosis is a nutrient deficiency in the soil that affects the vine’s ability to photosynthesize. A sign of chlorosis is yellow leaves and poor overall growth. The usual cause for chlorosis is a lack of iron in the soil. Farmers will either add iron-rich fertilizers or plant iron-producing grasses as cover crops to treat the soil.
After winter, when temperatures rise above 10°C (50°F) is when vines start ___.
Above 10°C: Budburst
When the temperature drops below 10°C is when vines go ___.
Below 10°C: Dormant
Frost is most dangerous around which phase of the vine’s annual cycle?
Budburst is when frost is most dangerous (March/April in Northern Hempishere, Sept/Oct in Southern Hemisphere).
What are some adverse effects from frost?
if frost occurs right before budburst, it can delay budburst which means the grapes are at risk of not fully ripening before autumn; new plant material can freeze and die; spring frost damage can decrease the annual yield; fungal diseases can develop if the weather stays wet.
What is coulure?
Coulure is poor flower set due to poor fertilzation in cold or rainy conditions.
What is millerandage?
The term for poor or irregular fruit set (some grapes forming without seeds and/or remaining small) due to cold, cloudy, or rainy conditions during pollination.
What detrimental effect can drought have on a vine?
vines may stop transpiration + photosynthesis; leaves wilt, causing grapes not to ripen; drought can kill a vine.
What sorts of damage can rainfall cause before, during, and after berry development?
- Before: disturb flowering and fruit set; 2. During: encourage the development of fungal diseases; 3. After: if right before harvest, rain can bloat berries, dilute their juice, and introduce grey rot.
Between clay, sand, and stone, which soil has the highest water retention?
Clay has the highest water retention capability of the three.
Besides clay, what soil element is known for good water retention?
Humus, which is organic matter made up of decomposing plant and animal materials.
What is the composition of loam soil?
Loam is a mixture of sand and clay. It has both good water drainage and retention due to its composition.
How many years after first planting a new vineyard will vines produce a usable crop?
The third year after planting.
How often is a vineyard typically replanted?
About every 30 to 50 years.
Is it common practice to leave a vineyard fallow for a few years after its vines have been uprooted?
Yes, it’s common to leave a vineyard fallow for at least 3 years prior to replanting. This time off allows the farmer to work the soil and help it regain its nutrients so it can accept new plantings.
What is the tool used by hand harvesters?
A pair of secateurs (sekəˈtərz), or pruning shears.
What happens in the vine during early shoot + leaf growth?
Rapid growth; vine uses its over-wintered carbohydrates to grow leaves, shoots, and tendrils quickly, Once leaves mature enough, they take over as the engine to fuel the plant via photosynthesis.
What is the recommended amount of wine to be poured into glasses for tasting purposes?
1.7 fluid oz (5cL)
What are some of the possible faults you can find on the nose of a wine?
- Cork taint/TCA 2. Reduction 3. SO2 4. Oxidation 5. Volatile acidity 6. Brett 7. Out of condition/poorly stored/stale
What are the alcohol percentage levels for a low alcohol table wine?
Low: below 11% abv
What are the alcohol percentage levels for a medium alcohol table wine?
Medium: 11% - 13.9% abv
What are the alcohol percentage levels for a high alcohol table wine?
High: 14% abv and higher
What are the alcohol % levels for a low alcohol fortified wine?
Low: 15% - 16.4% abv
What are the alcohol % levels for a medium, and high alcohol fortified wine?
Medium: 16.5% - 18.4% abv
What are the alcohol % levels for a high alcohol fortified wine?
High: 18.5% abv and higher
What are the levels of readiness for drinking/potential for aging?
- Too young 2. Drink now but has aging potential 3. Drink now; not suited for further aging 4. Too old