Viticultural Principles Flashcards
What is the main purpose of third party labels? E.g. Terra vitis
Marketing
What percentage of French agriculture does conventional farming represent?
93%
What percentage of French agriculture does conventional farming represent?
93%
What are the main features of conventional farming?
Pesticides, fungicides, herbicides are used as preventative dosing
What is the practice of mindful farming?
Using chemicals in a reactive manner, only when problems arise in the vineyard. Also conserving wildlife as much as possible
What are the two french labels associated with mindful farming?
- Terra Vitis
- Haute Valeur Environmentale
What are the 5 main principles of Terra Vitis?
- Promote sustainable viticulture
- Prioritise natural regulation mechanisms
- Minimise chemical usage
- Increase biological diversity
- Improve water and soil
Which 7 regions recognise Terra Vitis for their wines?
- Alsace
- Beaujolais
- Bourgogne
- Bordeaux
- Loire
- Rhone
- Champagne
*each region has different regulations to comply with TV
What are the downsides of Haute Valeure Environmentale?
- The three levels of HVE are indistinguishable on the label
- Criteria can be shared by neighbouring farms for level 2
- Level 3 can be a mix of level 1 and 2
What are the main principles of organic farming?
- No artificial fertilisers
- No synthetic chemical pesticides or herbicides
- No GMO products
Note: You can still use naturally occurring products et. sulfur, copper sulfate
By how much did organic farming increase in France from 2014-2019?
70%
What is the difference between organic farming and organic winemaking?
Where farming regulates organic principles in the growing process, organic winemaking allows for chemicals to be used, but limits the quantities that can be used
What are the requirement for becoming organic certified?
- Sign commitment
- Comply with regulations
- Accept visits, scheduled or uncalled
- Allow for sampling and analyisis
How long does it take to convert to organic farming?
3 years
Who founded the concept of biodynamics?
Rudolf Steiner, Austrian Scientist and philosopher
Who POPULARISED the principles of Biodynamics?
Maria Thun
What were Maria Thun’s 2 main principles she added to the practice of Biodynamics?
- Understanding the effects of the moon on behaviours of living organisms
- Devised the biodynamic calendar
What are the 4 types of days winemakers must know according to the biodynamic calendar?
- Fruit
- Leaves
- Roots/seeds
- Plant development
How many biodynamic preparations are there?
9 preparations - 500-508
What is BD preparation 500?
Burying a cow horn filled with manure in the vineyard, letting it rest for 6 months, spreading fertilizer around the vineyard.
What is BD preparation 501?
Packing cow horns with powdered quartz (silica) and crushing the horns and their contents after being buried for 6 months. Quartz concentration in silica magnifies the UV to promote photosynthesis
What are BD preparations 502-507?
Different flora that may be used to create compost
What are 2 proven benefits of BD farming?
- Soils show greater disease suppression
- 30% increase in bacterial and fungal life between organic and biodynamic soil
What are the 2 certified bodies for biodynamics?
- Demeter (worldwide)
- Biodyvin (Europe)