Viti / Vini Flashcards
Viticulture & Vinification
Véraison
Onset of ripening; “change of color of the grape berries”;
In which of the following countries would harvest typically occur between February and May? USA Italy Argentina Spain
Argentina
Cane Training
In the winter the fruiting canes are pruned essentially down to their spurs with over 90 percent of the previous year’s growth (“brush”) removed.
Spur Training
Opposite of cane training; Individual canes are relatively permanent with only excess buds at the end of the cane being removed.
True/False: Gobelet vines are spur pruned and head trained.
True
True/False: Wine regions with a continental climate are typically located near a coastline.
False
The metabolism of yeast cells converts sugar to _____________ and ____________.
Alcohol; CO2
The technique of grafting Vitis vinifera vines onto American rootstock was developed in response to…?
Phylloxera
Effects of Powdery Mildew (Oidium)
Off-flavors in the wine; if infected before flowering, yields will be reduced; if infected after flowering, veraison and berry size will be affected;
What condition is caused by a complex of at least nine different viruses, and may be responsible for as much as 60% of the world’s grape production losses?
Leafroll Virus
Macroclimate
Regional climate
Mesoclimate
Climate of a particular vineyard
Microclimate
Climate in and round a vine canopy
Place the following seasonal events in the life of the vine in proper order (1 = earliest, 5 = latest).
Fruit set Véraison Harvest Budbreak Flowering
1: Budbreak
2: Flowering
3: Fruit Set
4: Veraison
5: Harvest
Which of the following would NOT be considered an influence on viticulture?
Slope
Soil Type
Aging Vessel
Climate
Aging Vessel
Wines from grapes located in warmer regions generally have which of the following attributes, as compared to wines from grapes grown in cooler regions?
Lower acid, higher alcohol
Higher acid, lower alcohol
Lower acid, lower alcohol
Higher acid, higher alcohol
Lower acid, higher alcohol
Pierce’s Disease is an example of what type of disease?
Bacterial
Alcoholic Fermentation
Metabolism of yeast cells converts sugar to alcohol and CO2.
Malolactic Fermentation
AKA Secondary Fermentation. Lactic Acid bacteria convert malic acid to lactic acid and CO2.
Ideal climate for powdery mildew
Humid but dry
Cold Stabilization
A process that causes tartrate crystals to precipitate out of the wine at a temperature of approx 25F (-4C)
Secondary Fermentation
AKA Malolactic Fermentation. Lactic Acid bacteria convert malic acid to lactic acid and CO2.
Downy Mildew prefers which climates?
Wet.
Effects of Eutypa Dieback (Dead Arm)
Stunted shoot growth; Canes may eventually die; Yield greatly reduced
Effects of Esca (Black Measles)
Weakens growth; Affects berry development; Discolors leaves; Vine may suddenly die in hot weather.
What temperature climates does Esca thrive in?
Warmer
What temperature climates does Esca thrive in?
Warmer
What type of disease is Powdery Mildew (Oidium)?
Fungal
What type of disease is Downy Mildew (Peronospora)?
Fungal
What type of disease is Eutypa Dieback?
Fungal
What type of disease is Esca (Black Measles)?
Fungal
What type of disease is Bunch Rot?
Fungal
What type of disease is Bunch Rot?
Fungal
What type of disease is Crown Gall (Black Knot)?
Bacterial
How is Bacterial Blight spread?
Rain; Compromised pruning tools
What type of disease is Fanleaf Degeneration?
Viral
What type of disease is Flavescence Doree?
Phytoplasma
Reverse Osmosis: What are the two parts and is it legal in the EU?
Legal in EU.
Order the following barrel making stages from beginning to end (1 = earliest, 3 = latest):
Shaping
Warming
Toasting
1: Warming
2: Shaping
3: Toasting
Order the following barrel making stages from beginning to end (1 = earliest, 3 = latest):
Shaping
Warming
Toasting
1: Warming
2: Shaping
3: Toasting
Weeping of vines will occur when the air reaches what average temperature?
50F (10C)
Why of the following systems is NOT an example of spur pruning and cordon training?
Lyre System
Cordon de Royat
Geneva System
Double Guyout System
Incorrect:
Geneva System
Selection massale
Field selection; Selection is masse (as opposed to a single clone)
Soutirage
French term for racking
Pigeage
French term for punching down the cap
Remontage
French term for pumping the fermenting wine over the top of the cap
Delestage
French term for draining the fermentation vessel, racking the wine while the cap drains, then pumping the wine back over the cap.
Bousinage
French term for toasting a barrel
Reverse Osmosis: What are the two parts and is it legal in the EU?
Permeate & Retentate; Legal in EU.
_________ is the father of biodynamics
Rudolph Steiner
Chauffage
French term for warming a barrel
Cintrage
French term for shaping a barrel
Why of the following systems is NOT an example of spur pruning and cordon training?
Lyre System
Cordon de Royat
Geneva System
Double Guyot System
Double Guyot
French term for shaping a barrel
Cintrage
_________ is the father of biodynamics
Rudolf Steiner
Which acid is most common in Vitis Vinifera grapes?
Malic
Citric
Lactic
Tartaric
Tartaric
French term for warming a barrel
Chauffage
True/False: Region V is the coolest region according to the California Heat Summation Index.
False
Which of the following methods is used to adjust alcohol after fermentation?
Chaptalization
Acidification
Reverse Osmosis
Malolactic Fermentation
Reverse Osmosis
Which of the following aging vessels is generally the MOST expensive?
Hungarian Oak
American Oak
French Oak
French Oak??
When is saignage least likely to occur?
After fermentation
During fermentation
Before fermentation
Before fermentation?
Which of the following compounds is a byproduct of malolactic fermentation and lends a buttery aroma to wines?
Mercaptans Acetayldehyde Linalool Diacetyl Ethyl Acetate
Diacetyl
Identifying Mercaptans
Quite broad - can be eggy (sulfur) smelling; flint/struck match;
Which of the following aging vessels is generally the MOST expensive?
Hungarian Oak
American Oak
French Oak
French Oak
Saignage
Rose production method. Pink juice is drawn from a vessel to concentrate the remaining must for red wine production.
Identifying Diacetyl
Buttery aromas
Identifying Ethyl Acetate
Citrus-y, Tropical
Identifying Ethyl Acetate
Citrus-y, Tropical
Bâtonnage
Lees stirring
Which of the following vine diseases is typically spread by soil nematodes?
Eutypa Dieback Crown Gall Pierce's Disease Fanleaf Degeneration Leafroll Virus
Fanleaf Degeneration
In which stage of the vine cycle would hail be the most destructive?
Dormancy
Veraison
Flowering
Weeping
Flowering
In which stage of the vine cycle would hail be the most destructive?
Dormancy
Veraison
Flowering
Weeping
Flowering
American Oak contains more of the _______ compound than French oak, allowing it to be sawn instead of split by hand.
Tylose
Lignin
Lipid
Furfural
INCORRECT
Lignin
Which of the following substances is responsible for volatile acidity in wines?
Hydrogen Sulfide Acetaldehyde Acetic Acid Bacteria Mercaptans Fusel Oils
Acetic Acid bacteria (Acetobacter)
True/False: Organic Wines can’t contain added sulfites under US Law.
True
American Oak contains more of the _______ compound than French oak, allowing it to be sawn instead of split by hand.
Tylose
Lignin
Lipid
Furfural
Tylose
Which of the following is a species of American Oak used for barrel-making?
Quercus patraea
Quercus robur
Quercus alba
Quercus suber
Quercus alba
Which of the following would least likely increase color concentration in a white wine?
Bottle Age Botrytis Influence Sulfur Dioxide Additions Barrel Aging Skin contact during fermentation
Sulfur Dioxide additions
Which soil texture is considered most resistant to phylloxera?
Sand
Which training system is called Pergola in Italy?
Tendone
Which training system is called Pergola in Italy?
Tendone
Which process does not occur in the vineyard?
Buttage
Aspersion
Foulage
Palissage
GUESS: Foulage?
What bacteria causes Pierce’s Disease?
Xylella Fastidiosa
Which process does not occur in the vineyard?
Buttage
Aspersion
Foulage
Palissage
Foulage
What bacteria causes Bacterial Blight?
Xanthomonas Ampelina
What fermentation temperature range for red wine would be considered the maximum for most winemakers?
55-65 F
65-75 F
75-85 F
85-95 F
INCORRECT
75-85
What fermentation temperature range for red wine would be considered the maximum for most winemakers?
55-65 F
65-75 F
75-85 F
85-95 F
85-95 F
What is the volume of a Burgundian Piece barrel?
228 L
What is the volume of a Chablis Feuillette barrel?
132 L
What is the volume of a Cote d’Or Feuillette barrel?
114 L
What is the volume of a modern Cognac Barrel?
350 L
What is the volume of an Armagnac Piece barrel?
400-420 L
What is the volume of a Champagne Barrel?
205 L
What is the volume of a Demi-Muid barrel?
600 L
What is the volume of a Fuder barrel?
1000 L
What is the volume of a Stuck barrel?
1200 L
What is the volume of a Butt barrel?
600-650 L
What is the volume of a Bota Chica barrel?
500 L
What is the volume of a Douro/Porto Pipe barrel (for production/aging)?
550-630 L
What is the volume of a Douro/Porto Pipe barrel (for shipping)?
532.24 L
What is the volume of a Madeira Pipe barrel?
418 L
What is the volume of a Marsala Pipe barrel?
423 L
What is the volume of a Tonneau barrel?
550 L
What is the volume of a Gonc barrel?
~136 L
What is the volume of an American Oak Whiskey Barrel?
190 L
What is the volume of a Hogshead barrel?
300 L
What is the volume of a Puncheon barrel?
450-500 L
What is the volume of a Puncheon barrel?
450-500 L
At what level of toasting would the most wood tannins be left in a barrel to impart into an aging wine?
Low Toast
Medium Toast
High Toast
Low Toast
Which of the following forests is nearest to Bordeaux?
Allier Limousin Nevers Troncais Vosges
Limousin
The science, production, and study of grapes
Viticulture
The common grape vine. The species of vine from which most of the world’s wine is made.
Vitis Vinifera
Crossing (Definition)
Product of two varieties of the same Vitits species.
Crossing (Examples)
Marselan (Cabernet Sauvignon x Grenache)
Muller-Thurgau (Riesling x Madelieine Royale)
Crossing (Process)
Dusting pollen from one variety onto the ovary of another, then planting out seeds
Crossing (Goals)
Obtain best attributes of both (eg, yield, quality, disease/virus resistance, etc.)
Crossing (Goals)
Obtain best attributes of both (eg, yield, quality, disease/virus resistance, etc.)
Crossing (Main Problems)
Outcome uncertainty, long timeline, acceptance of new varieties
Crossing (Main Problems)
Outcome uncertainty, long timeline, acceptance of new varieties
Hybrid (Definition)
Product of a crossing of two or more Vitis species
Hybrid (History)
Originally came about as a solution to Phylloxera in late 1800s, Once grafting proved successful, hybrids fell out of favor in the Old World. Illegal for production of quality wine in the European Union (ie Seyval Blanc). Too acidic / low in tannin / foxy taste.
Renewed interest recently, especially in Germany & Austria. Organic wines in high demand; hybrids with high disease / virus resistance means less chemical treatments
What are the two sources of Baco Noir
Vitis Vinifera & Vitis Riparia
What are the two main sources of Seyval Blanc?
Vitis Vinifera & Vitis Rupestris
What are the two main sources of Seyval Blanc?
Vitis Vinifera & Vitis Rupestris
Clone (Definition)
A separate organism genetically identical to its predecessor. Plant is reproduced directly from a bud or shoot without a seed.
Clone (Process)
Cuttings are taken from vines showing specific superior attributes (disease resistance, yield, early ripening, deep color, small berries, etc.) & are planted out. Next generation plans showing desired attributes have cuttings taken from them. Process is repeated over several generations.
Clone (Risk)
One dimensional wines; Attributes of a clone may no longer be as useful with climate change.
Clone (Examples)
Pinot Noir:
Dijon 777
Pommar Clone
Cab Sauv:
Backstoffer Clone 6
Chardonnay:
Mendoza
Cab Sauv (History)
Originated in SW France in 1600s - crossing of Sauv Blanc & Cab Franc
Cab Sauv Viticulture
Small, dark, thick skins. Little pulp = high skins & seeds to pulp ratio. High in color, flavor, & tannin.
Late ripening. Hardy. Disease & frost resistant. Grows best in poor, deep gravel soils.
Contain “methoxy-pyrazines” compounds - herbaceous aroma & flavor (broken down with sunlight exposure)
Merlot History
1780’s Bordeaux. Offspring of Cabernet Franc & Magdeleine Noire des Charentes (half-sibling of Carmenere, Malbec & Cab Sauv).
Merlot Viticulture
Very fertile wines. Loose bunches of large berries. Thin skinned. Ripens aobut 2 weeks earlier than Cab. Over-ripens easily; sharp decrease in acidity but fuller, more fruit forward flavors.
Thrives in cold soil - especially ferrous clay & well draining soils.
Vulnerable to spring frosts (vines bud early), rot & fungal infections (thin skinned grapes), coloure, leaf hopper insect varieties.
Syrah History
Northern Rhone grape. Offspring of two obscure grapes from SE France: Dureza & Mondeuse Blanche
Syrah Viticulture
Robust, dark skinned = powerful, full-bodied wines.
Productive, disease resistant vine. Early ripening; rarely under-ripe (can become flabby / burnt flavors if it hangs too long in hot climates).
Growth is excessive on deep fertile soils and/or with high-vigor rootstocks. Yield & vigor must be restrained for best quality. Grows well in cooler and warmer climates, on many different soil types.
Best vineyards are slopes (less soil) - produce less (but more concentrated) grapes.
Pinot Noir History
Very ancient vine; unknown origin. Possibly only 1-2 generations removed from wild, Vitis Sylvestris, vines.
Pinot Noir Viticulture
Tightly clustered bunches, susceptible to rot. Careful canopy management is essential. Prone to powdery mildew, leaf roll, & fanleaf viruses.
Thin skinned (low levels of phenolic compounds). Ripes early, best suited to cooler climates; intolerant of hard, windy, hot, & dry vineyard conditions.
Low vigor & low yielding vines. Dense planting for Pinot is common to encourage root competition between the vines & give more intensely flavored grapes.
Highly prone to mutation (e.g., Pinot Gris, Blanc, Meunier, etc. - unclear which came first)
Grenache History
Probably Aragon (Northern Spain)
Grenache Viticulture
Thin, lighting pigmented skin = wines with pale color & low tannins.
Buds early & ripes late, needs long growing season with hot dry conditions (Spain, Southern Rhone)
High tolerance to heat & drought. Strong wood canopy and upright growth = good wind tolerance (Mistral, Cierzo)
Adaptable to most vineyard sites but prefers hot, dry, well drained soils.
Vigorous, but due to tight grape clusters, susceptible to coloure, bunch rot, & downy mildew.
Tempranillo History
Grown in spain for 2000+ years.
Tempranillo Viticulture
Black grape, thick skin. Compact bunches mean prone to rot (especially if left to hang too long). Vulnerable to many pests & diseases.
Early ripening; thrives in chalky soils.
Very sensitive to weather extremes. Contracts during drought & swells with excess humidity.
For best balance (acid/sugar), mix of cool & warm climate (such as Ibera del Duero - continental climate & high altitude leads to hot summer days with very cool nights.)
What is the California Heat Summation Index?
Divides climates into five regions based on the number of degree days. Degree days are calculated by multiplying the days in each month of the growing season (April 1 – October 31) by the mean number of degrees over 50 F for that month.
How much rainfall does a vine require?
Approx 20-30 inches annually.
How many sunshine hours does a vine require?
About 1300 hours minimum.
What type of soil type is good for the vine?
low-fertility, well-drained, heat-retaining and reflecting, high soil pH
Low pH soil can be adjusted by…?
Application of lime
What is clonal selection?
An ideal plant within a vineyard or nursery that has exhibited the most desirable traits is selected with all cuttings taken from that single plant.
What is mass selection?
An Old World technique (still used today) of maintaining the health and character of a vineyard, or starting a new one, by selecting cuttings for propagation from the most desirable older vines in a vineyard, rather than using a specific clonal material from a nursery. Mass selection can help to maintain the consistency of style of the wine from a particular vineyard.
What is the Gobelet system known as in Italy and Spain?
Italy: Albarello
Spain: En Vaso
What is the preferred training style for Pinot Noir in Champagne?
Cordon de Royat
What is the Tendone system?
AKA Pergola in Italy, and Enforcado in Portugal.
Alternative training system in which the vines are trained upward and overhead along wooden frames or trees, enabling workers to pass underneath.
What is Phylloxera?
An aphid that feeds on the roots of vines, is native to the Eastern US, but quickly spread through Europe from cuttings imported to the Southern Rhone Valley in the early 1860’s. Is now present in all of the world’s major winegrowing countries - except Chile.
How can you control Powdery Mildew?
Sulfur and other fungicides
How can you control Downy Mildew?
Bordeaux Mixture (copper sulfate, water, lime)
What is IPM?
Integrated Pest Management
What is biodynamic viticulture?
Biodynamic takes the concepts of organic and sustainable farming and combines them with an almost mystical sensibility.
Requires the yearly application of homeopathic preparations, produced from such animal and mineral substances as dandelion flowers, stinging nettles, and “horn manure” to ritually treat and heal the soil.
Farmers time their various tasks by motions of celestial bodies - especially the moon.
Started by Rudolf Steiner in 1924.
Who certifies Biodynamic internationally?
Demeter Biodynamic Trade Association
Who is the modern day Rudolf Steiner?
Nicholas Joly
What is the voluntary vineyard sustainability group of Walla Walla?
VINEA
What may Oregon producers add to their labels if 97% of their grapes are certified by Salmon-Safe?
OSCW - Oregon Sustainable Certified Wine
What certification does California use for wineries using continual environmental improvement in vineyards?
California Certified Sustainable Winecrowing (CCSW)
What is the cap called on the grape must?
Chapeau
What are the grape solids called after the press?
Pomace
What is the French term for free-run wine?
Vin de Goutte
What is the French term for the more tannic and coarser wine pressed from the remaining pomace?
Vin de Presse
What is done with the Vin de Presse?
Small amount may be added to the Cuvee for structure, or entirely reserved for lesser wines.
What is racking?
AKA Soutirage.
The movement of wine from one vessel to another, providing aeration and clarification as the wine is removed from its lees.
What are the most common fining agents?
Collage - in French Bentonite - fine clay Casein Isinglass Gelatin Egg Whites
What is done to the white wine juice after pressing before fermentation begins?
Debourbage (settling)
Juice is settled and racked off to remove suspended solids and clarified first.
What major production differences make American Oak the more aggressive choice for aging in terms of its added flavor?
The grain is less pourous, so the stave can be sawn instead of split without fear of leaking. However, this releases more vanillan and lactones, resulting in the “coconut” characters
American Oak is also quickly kiln dried, which concentrates the lactones and vanillan, whereas French Oak is slowly air dried, losing a lot of its lactones and vanillan (some american coopers are adopting air drying techniques, though).
What are the three stages of heating wood staves to shape the barrel?
Heating (Chauffage)
Shaping (Cintrage)
Toasting (Bousinage)
How do the levels of tasting affect the wine?
The level of Lactones rises with increased toasting.
- A heavy toast will cause lactons and vanillans to subside and spicier smokey aromas to take over.
- A light toast promotes the most wood tannin extraction.
Define Photosynthesis
A process by which chlorophyll in the leaves uses sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into sugar and oxygen
Define respiration
Just like humans use air, the vine uses sugars as energy
Define translocation
The transfer of stuff from one area of the plant to another.
Define transpiration
Water evaporates through the stomata (openings on the undersides of the leaves) which helps to cool the vine
What is Clay?
The smallest soil fraction
The finest grains
Has the greatest capacity for holding nutrients and water
What is Sand?
The largest soil fraction
Has the least capacity to hold nutrients and water
Name the four main fungal diseases
Esca (Black Measles) Eutypa Dieback (Dead Arm) Powdery Mildew (Oidium) Downy Milew (Peronospera)
What is Botrytis
Fungus Bunch Rot Noble Rot Occurs in high humidity / warm weather White grapes = good Red = bad (called black rot)
What are the vectors for grapevine fanleaf virus and grape leafroll virus?
Fanleaf = nematodes Leafroll = mealy bugs
Main points of Organic Viticulture
Don’t pollute
Protect the environment
Can use sulfer and copper
What is Sustainable Viticulture
Scientific Method
Leave the land for the next generation
What does the word Cepage mean?
A blend of grapes
What is Potential Alcohol (PA)?
The amount of alcohol that (in theory) could be produced if a wine is fermented to complete dryness
What is Bouillie Bordelaise?
Bordeaux Mixture: Lime, copper sulphate, water. Used to control Downy Mildew
Name influences affecting vine fertility
Soil Texture Soil Structure Organic Matter Content Mineral Content Availability of Air and Water pH Level
Vitis Vinifera is what kind of plant?
Perennial
What happens to sugar in the pulp as grapes ripen?
Increases
What happens to acid in the pulp as grapes ripen?
Decreases
Name the three types of viticultural propagation
Hybrids
Crosses
Clones
What will lignified stems bring to a wine?
Bitter elements
What happens during barrel aging?
Evaporation Oxidation (color changes, texture softens) Flavor Addition (oak, toast, vanilla, spice, coconut)
How is soil formed?
Decomposed organic material is encompassed into weathered mineral material at the earth’s surface
Soil Terms: Horizon
A layer of soil material that differs from the layers above or below in physical, chemical, and biological properties
Soil Terms: Leaching
The dissolving out or removal of soluble materials from the soil horizons by percolating water.
Soil Terms: Sediment
Rock fragments of various sizes, such as clay, silt, sand, gravel, cobbles
Soil Terms: Weathering
The mechanical disintegration and chemical decomposition of rocks and sediments by exposure to the elements. The parent material is broken down into many constituents such as soluble slats (leached away in older soils), clays, various oxides.
Soil Terms: Humus
Decomposed organic material
Scion
Name given to the productive (top) half of a grafted plant
Name the other Vitis species used for winemaking besides Vinifera
Labrusca
Rotundifolia
Amurensis
What does “dynamized” mean?
Biodynamic term
Brewed compost that is sprayed onto vines for various purposes
What is co-inoculation?
When alcohol and malolactic ferment run simultaneously
What is the Stefani Method?
Vine training system where the vines are shaped into baskets or wreathes on the ground.
Used in Santorini
Provides protection against wind
Helps collect moisture
What is suckering?
Removing buds or shoots from the base of the vine or ground.
A late spring exercise
What is Tirage de Bois?
“Removing the wood”
Once pruning is done, the next step is to remove the unwanted wood. These workers, the tireurs, clear the wood cut by the pruners.
Two methods: Grinding the wood; Burning it
Barrel Capacity: Foudre
1000+ liters
What was the world’s largest barrel?
Germany: Heidelberg Tun (1751)
220000 Liters
Used more often as a dance floor than as a wine barrel
What are the essential nutrients a vine will take in as the roots absorb water and the leaves absorb gases?
Carbon
Hydrogen
Oxygen
How would you determine the amount of Nitrogen (N) needed to apply to a certain vineyard area?
No accurate method for determining amount for vine in the soil.
Evaluate the vigor of the vineyard for determining the N requirement
When should macro elements be applied to a vineyard?
During periods of active root growth:
After bud break
After harvest
What is the Depletion Model?
Calculation to determine what amount of nutrients were removed from a vineyard based on the tonnage of grapes harvested. Can/Should be coupled with visual inspections as well as chemical analysis.
How much Nitrogen (N) does one ton of grapes use (on average)
1.39 Kilograms
When/How can micro-nutrients be applied to a vineyard?
Sulfur, Zinc, Manganese, Copper, Iron, etc. are required in small amounts and can be applied through foliar sprays.
Where can macro-nutrients be applied?
Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium should be applied to the soil for uptake by roots.
What are the most important macro-nutrients (required in higher amounts) for grape vines?
Nitrogen Phosphates Potassium Calcium Magnesium Sulfur
What are the most important micro-elements (required in small amounts) for grapevines?
Iron Boron Manganese Zinc Copper Molybdenum Chlorine
Too much of any of these will result in toxicity to the vine.
What are the best ways to determine vine nutrient needs?
Combination of soil analysis, plant tissue analysis, and visual symptoms
When one or more nutritional elements are deficient, vines may exhibit:
Foliar deficiency symptoms
Reduced grown of leaves, shoots, roots
Reduced crop yield
Greater susceptibility to winter injury, including death
What are the three stages where wine is likely to be subject to considerable oxygen stress or the risk of bug growth?
At crushing
And the end of malolactic fermentation (or end of alc. ferment where no MLF)
At bottling
Negative Gravitropism
Growing away from the ground
Shoots do this in the absence of light
Phototropism
A reaction to sunlight and the shoots response to grow toward it
Plants detect light via a suite of molecules known as phytochromes, which are tuned to pick out certain significant wavelengths
Light = Food
Positive Gravitropism
Roots grow toward water or down with gravity
Tropism
A term that describes plant movement.
Plants are designed to grow in certain directions in response to environmental cues.
Cues can include: light, water, touch, space
True/False: For SO2 additions, it is better to add fewer large dollops than more frequent but smaller doses.
True.
This way you get the benefit of the quantity of SO2, as well as getting a correct level of Free SO2 in the solution so it can do its job correctly.
What can happen if you do not use enough SO2 in winemaking?
Run the risk of: Oxidized wine Off flavors and aromas Bottle variation Off or premature color development
What is microbicidal and how does it relate to winemaking?
Means that a compound, at the correct concentration, can prevent growth or kill fungi (yeasts) and bacteria.
Example: XO2 is microbicidal:
Need to get the concentration correct to kill bacteria, but not yeast.
Conveniently, SO2 is more active against bacteria than yeast.
Name three nitrogen compounds found in grape berries
Amino acids
Peptides (short amino acid chains)
Proteins (long amino acid chains)
What are the two main types of bentonite clay used in winemaking?
Sodium Bentonite
Calcium Bentonite
Each described by the mineral greatest in concentration
What should a winemaker do to determine the proper amount of bentonite to add to a certain volume of wine for clarification?
Bench Testing on a sample batch
Too much bentonite will strip vital flavor compounds and / or other colloidal material
Sulfur Dioxide acts as a guardian of wine in two ways. What are they?
As an anti-microbial (helps curtail growth of yeast and bacteria)
Anti-oxidant (safe-guarding wine’s fruit integrity and against browning)
What is potassium metabisulphite?
Basically 57% SO2, and a common source (at least for home winemaking) for SO2.
Beta-Glucanase
Enzyme used to break down large beta-cluvan molecules produced by rot, especially grey and Noble rot
Particularly useful for red grapes
What is the best temperature range for enzymatic performance?
10-30 degrees C
Lower temp = slower reactions
Higher temp = enzyme proteins denatured/destroyed
What are enzymes?
Naturally occurring proteins
Created by all biological beings to carry out chemical reactions in their biological systems
Natural catalysts and facilitate reactions but are not used up in the reaction
What are the three main types of enzymes?
Pectinolytic
Betaglucanese
Lysozyme
Potassium Metabisuplhite chemical formula, appearance, and use
K2S205
White powder
Useful source of sulphur dioxide
17 g/L of sugar =
1% alcohol by volume
What is an ion?
An atom or molecule that has lost or gained electrons and thus posses as electrostatic charge
What is contained in the peripheral pulp?
A high proportion of the colored tannins, pigments, and flavor constituents of the berry
Ideal bulk storage temperature for white and rose?
Below 10 C (to retain freshness)
Ideal humidity range for wines being stored in oak?
75-85% humidity
Free-run Juice
The juice that runs out of the grape without the application of pressure
Which is denser:
Unfermented Must
Must converted to alcohol
Unfermented must
What is must?
Unfermented or partially fermented grape juice, with or without the skins
What is hydrolysis?
A chemical reaction during which molecules of water are split into Hydrogen and Hydroxide Anions
Chemical decomposition by water
What is thermotic pasteurization?
Bottled hot (warm, 54 C), cooled slowly Lower temp / longer time
What is Saccharomyces Cerevisiae?
Yeast strain / fungus
A species of yeast. It has been instrumental to winemaking, baking, and brewing since ancient times. It is believed to have been originally isolated from the skin of grapes.
What is appassimento?
A method of drying harvested grapes, traditionally used in Amarone della Valpolicella, to concentrate their flavor intensity.
Can also be used for a wide range of other wines.
What are parasitoids?
Insect parasites
One aspect of Lutte Resonee and IPM
Basically, bugs that eat bugs
At what point in the year is erosion threat at its highest?
Over the winter - least amount of vegetation growth and highest amount of rainfall?
Winter cover crops are used for control
What are bio-pesticides?
Pesticides that use specific microbes as the active agents
Not as widely used as could be due to lack of knowledge about them
Describe the term “variety”
A subspecies of a grape, especially of Vinifera. For example, Chardonnay.
What can a clone be traced to?
A single bud on a single parent vine.
What are clonal selections?
Genetically similar clones, but not identical clones.
Example: Swan selection or Calera selections are not one, single clonal type, but a selection (3 in the case of Swan) where the exact origin is close but not from the same bud on the same parent vine.
What are the most common Dijon Pinot Noir clones?
113, 114, 115
667, 777
In the vineyard, what is Chardonnay liable to suffer from?
Powdery Mildew
A maritime climate is characterized by what?
Warm summers, mild winters
Site climate refers to what?
The climate of an individual vineyard site, or part of a vineyard
A Mediterranean climate is characterized by what?
Dry summers, mild wet winters
Couloure refers to what?
Floral abortion. A term used when non-fertilized blossoms are shed.
When does a vine reach maturity? When does it decline?
Maturity at about 6 years.
Decline at 25 years, but some can obviously hang on for many years, but often with increasingly lower yields.
What are Kloeckera and Hanseniaspora?
Genus of wild yeasts
Name the white powdery substance on grape skins
Bloom - are actually yeasts
Soil fractions are:
Clay Silt Sand Minerals Rocks Organic Matter
What is a spur?
A short cane of one year old wood with 2-3 buds
What do you call a section of a plant grafted onto rootstocks?
Scion
The principle acids found in grapes are:
Tartaric (0.2-1.0%)
Malic (0.1-0.8%)
Citric (0.1-0.5%)
These are fixed acids and are essentially odorless
What is Passerille?
French term for grapes that have begun to shrivel on the vine, resulting in concentration of sugars.
How do you get hail clouds to rain?
Fire rockets with silver nitrate into them
Name three ways to combat frost damage. What is most common today?
Most common: Aspiration systems
Smudge Pots
Wine Machines
What is the ideal annual rainfall for a grapevine?
500-700mm
Name three benefits to winter frosts
Wood hardening
Kills fungal diseases
Kills insect pests
10 C = ? F
15 C = ? F
40 C = ? F
10 = 50 15 = 59 40 = 104
Name four climatic enemies to the grape vine
Frost
Hail
Wind
Heat
What are the vine pests that destroyed Europe’s vines in the 1800s?
Phylloxera Vastatrix
Daktulosphaira Vitifoliae
Minimum number of sunshine hours a vine needs per yeear?
1400 hours (with an average of 6-7 per day)
What is the fermentation temp in Alsace for Gewurztraminer?
21 C (warmer than Riesling, Sylvanner, and Muscat)
Which is sweeter:
- A wine sweetened with unfermented grape juice
- Wine that is sweet due to arresting fermentation
Arresting ferment.
Higher levels of fructose, which is metabolized by yeast slower than glucose, and is twice as sweet as glucose.
What are the three main sources of chemical and molecular compounds in wine?
Molecular compounds present in the grape and which remain intact during fermentation and aging
Molecular compounds created during fermentation and aging
Molecular compounds that come about during the winemaking process, largely due to the addition of certain elements (like Sulfur)
Fining wiht egg albumen reduces what?
Astringency (in red wines)
What is the temperature range for fermentation of white grapes?
10-18 C, with an optimum of 15-20 C.
Allows for the retention of aromatics
What is metatartaric acid used for?
To prevent tartrate crystals
Name a pneumatic press brand
Wilmes
The more a red wine’s concentration, the _______ the acidity?
higher the acidity
And more microbiologically and chemically stable the wine will be.
Lower acidity = more blue, and less microbiologically stable
Ausbruch
Botrytised grapes, grape juice, or late harvest wine may be added to assist pressing operations
Under what conditions is bottle maturation conducted?
Anaerobic condition (mostly)
Maceration
Steeping solids in liquids to soften them
“Iron Casse” is the result of what?
Excess iron reacting with phosphates in a wine
Blending may be done when?
Any time between fermentation and bottling.
What does scorbic acid do?
Stops yeast fermentation, but does not kill yeast
What is casein?
A colloid protein occurring in milk. Plays a part in the prevention of curdling. Used for wine fining.
What is Fructose?
A sugar occurring in fruits including grapes, along with sugar glucose, its structural isomer.
C6H12O6
For fining a barrel of wine, how many egg whites are typically used and what is the bonding agent?
3-8 whites per barrel
Albumin
What is the fining agent derived from animal skins and bones, and why is it used?
Gelatine
Combines with harsh tannins to create a softer red
What is Diacetyl
A keytone produced during malolactic fermentation, and is noted by a powerful buttery or toasty aroma
Tartrate crystals in a wine are actually what?
Either:
Calcium tartrate, or, more likely…
Potassium bitartrate (cream of tartar)
Adding sugar to wine is also known as…?
Must enrichment and chaptalization
What is Potassium Bitartrate?
HOOC.CHOH.CHOH.COOK
cream of tartar
The substance of most tartrate crystals
What is Bentonite?
An alumino-silicate clay that swells in water and has a powerful property of absorption
Anthocyanins are found where in the grape?
Inner, softer skin layers
What is the temperature range for fermentation of red grapes?
20-32 C
Higher temps allow for extraction of skin components
What is Sucrose?
C12H24O12
The sugar of beet and cane
Define solubility
The degree by which a solid will dissolve in a liquid
Intracellular fermentation is a key component of what?
Carbonic Maceration
Enzymes attack sugars within the grapes and break them into alcohol
6CO2 + 6H20 > C6H12O6 + 6O2
Photosynthesis
Carbon Dioxide + Water > Sugar + Oxygen
What are the large phenolic compounds that determine the body and astringency of a wine?
Tannins
Fining with tanning reduces…?
Prevents and treats over-fining
What is albumin?
A water soluble protein found in egg whites, etc.
Coagulates with heat
Used for fining
What is the main mineral found in grape pulp?
Potassium
What is yeast?
A single-cell micro-organism (fungi) that reproduces by budding.
Saccharomyces cerevisiae is the variety used for the majority of wine ferments
pH refers to what?
The strength of the acids in a wine, or soil, or other solution
The higher the pH, the softer the acids
Typical range in wine is 2.9-3.8
What quantity of sulphites is naturally produced during fermentation?
10ppm
Salt
A chemical compound found by reaction between an acid and base.
Common salt, or sodium chloride (NaCl) is one example
What can colloids cause?
A wine to become cloudy or a deposit to form
What is ACIDEX, and why is it used?
Product used for deacidification, it is a double salt
It eliminates both tartaric and malic acids
CH3CH2OH
Ethanol
The principle fermentation acids are:
Lactic (Fixed)
Succinic (Fixed)
Acetic (Volatile)
In the presence of oxygen, what will yeast and sugar produce?
Water
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Heat
Atmosphere
The mass of air that surrounds the Earth, consisting of approximately 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen.
Also a unit of (measure) pressure of 14.7 pounds per square inch, or 760mm of mercury.