Viticulture Flashcards
What is the difference between climate and weather
Climate is a regions expected daily average level of temperature, sunlight, warmth, and rainfall over time
Weather is day-to-day
Between what two latitudes both above and below the equator are a majority of the world’s vineyards found
30-50 degrees
Define Macroclimate
The climate of a region (ex. Burgundy, Alsace)
Define Mesoclimate
The climate of a village, cluster of vineyards
Define Microclimate
The climate of a single vineyard of single cluster of vines
What are the four major climates of winegrowing regions
Continental
Maritime
Mediterranean
High Desert
Define continental climate
Climate extremes, often hot summers and cold winters, usually located farther inland
Define continental climate
Climate extremes, often hot summers and cold winters, usually located farther inland
Define maritime climate
Largely influenced by large bodies of water, with warm summers, mild winters, and year-round rainfall
Define Mediterranean climate
Warm dry summers and cool winters, usually near coastlines
Define High Desert climate
Hot and arid, with cold nights and low rainfall
What other descriptions can be used to further characterize the 4 major climate types
Cool
Moderate
Warm
Hot
Tropical
Humid
Define diurnal shift
The change in daytime temperatures to lower nighttime temperatures
What affect does large diurnal shifts have on grapes
The grapes will ripen more slowly
How can hail affect a vineyard
-Tearing leaves, impacting their ability to photosynthesize
-Destroying berries, decreasing crop yield
-Damaging the vines with small wounds making them vulnerable to disease
How can frost affect vines
-Delaying budding and flowering
-Can freeze and kill
-Can decrease the annual yield
At what point in the vine’s annual cycle is frost most dangerous
During budburst
How do strong vineyards affect vineyards
-Uproot vines
-Blow over vines
-Damage parts of vines
What are 2 geographical climate moderators
Bodies of water
Mountains
What constitutes a body of water
Lakes
Rivers
Seas
Oceans
What affects can mountains have on vineyards
-Provide a rain shadow
-Provide higher elevation to plant at
-Alpine winds can moderate climates
Give 2 examples of rain shadows
The Vosges Mountains in Alsace
The Andres Mountains to Mendoza
Temperature drops by one degree for every ____ meter gain in elevation
100 meters
Where are higher altitude vineyards typically found
In warmer/hotter regions to provide cooler temperatures
Why are valley floors more susceptible to frost than mountains?
Because cool air collects and stays stagnant on valley floors.
Hillsides experience more air flow, thereby decreasing frost risk.
Name the three major components of a grape
Skins
Seeds
Pulp
What characteristics do skins add to a wine
Tannin
Color
Flavor/aroma
What do seeds add to a wine
Bitterness
What species are most wines of the world made from
Vitis vinifera
What are two other species of vine used for the production of wine
Vitis Labrusca
Vitis Riparia
What is a hybrid grape
A grape made from 2 or more different species to create a new variety
What is a grape cross
When vines of the same species are combined to create a new variety
Example: Cab Franc x Sauvignon Blanc created Cabernet Sauvignon
What is a grape clone
Identical reproductions of a vine to propagate specific traits
What is phylloxera
A louse native to North America that attacks vine roots and ultimately kills vines
Define Passerillage
Exposure of cut bunches of grapes to sunlight to increase the concentration of sugars in the grapes prior to winemaking
Define Veraison
The onset of ripening of the grape clusters (When the grapes begin to change color on the vines)
