Viticulture

Question 1

What is Dry Farming?

Answer 1

Relies solely on natural rainfall and soil moisture, without irrigation.
Allows grapes to develop deeper roots, resulting in more complex and flavorful wines.
Was the norm in Napa Valley until the late 1970s.
Enhances grape polyphenol production.
Yields a better product in natural wine.

Question 2

What is Organic Farming?

Answer 2

Grapes are grown without any pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, or chemical fertilizers.
Organic growers use natural botanicals, cover crops, and compost to build organic matter in the soil

Question 3

What is Biodynamic Farming?

Answer 3

uses organic farming methods (e.g., employing compost as fertilizer and avoiding most pesticides) while also employing soil supplements prepared according to Rudolf Steiner’s formulas, following a planting calendar that depends upon astrological configurations,[1] and treating the earth as “a living and receptive organism.”[2]

Question 4

What is Sustainable Farming

Answer 4

involves practices that are environmentally responsible, socially beneficial, and economically viable. These practices integrate environmental health, economic profitability, and social equity, creating a harmonious relationship between the land and the winemaker. Examples of sustainable practices include using organic methods, employing biodynamic farming techniques, and implementing water and energy-saving technologies.

Question 5

What is Degree Days?

Answer 5

Days during the growing season are
assigned individual growing degree-days according to
the number of days that the average temperature
exceeds the threshold of over 50°F.

Question 6

What are the parts of the grape vine

Answer 6

rootstock
Trunk
Cordons
Shoots/canes
Grape clusters/bunches
Canopy

Question 7

What is a hybrid

Answer 7

is the result of crossing two different grape species. (Note that different varieties of European wine grape aren’t separate species—Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are both vinifera despite their drastically different appearance and flavor.) While any crossing of two different grape species can be called a hybrid, when the term hybrid is used casually, it typically refers to the crossing of European Vitis vinifera grapes and grapes native to the Americas.

Question 8

What is a Crossing

Answer 8

involve combining different grape varieties, vineyard parcels, or even wines from different vintages to achieve a desired result1

Question 9

What is a Clone

Answer 9

vines are propagated with cuttings from a selected ‘parent.’ Grape growers will sometimes find a vine with a specific trait, such as drought or disease resistance or desired size, flavor, or aroma that they want to replicate.

Question 10

What is Mutations

Answer 10

A grape mutation occurs when a variety reacts to changes in its environment, generally to protect itself against frost, rot or other hazards.

Question 11

What is the Vine Cycle

Answer 11

Dormancy
Bud Break
Flowering
Fruit Set
Ripening
- Veraison
- Hangtime
Maturity
Harvest
Pruning

Question 12

What is Vineyard Aspect

Answer 12

refers to the direction that the slope faces (e.g., east, southeast, etc.). Aspect affects the angle that the sunlight hits the vineyard and thus its total heat balance. Aspect is more important in higher latitudes where radiation is weaker, due to the angle of the sun, and light interception may be limiting to growth

Question 13

Some Vine Training Systems

Answer 13

1. Head training: Examples such as Gobelet/bush
2. Cordon training: Using support for growth

Question 14

What is Head Training

Answer 14

refers to a method of vine training where the vine grows without any type of wire or post. Head-trained vines are free-standing, and a trunk is formed from which several branches grow vertically. The trunk is kept short, with a number of permanent arms positioned around it.

Question 15

Examples of Head Training

Answer 15

Goblet/Bush

Question 16

What is Cordon Training

Answer 16

Spur pruning (Cordon) is common to see in warmer climate growing regions, including California, Washington, and Spain. There are many different styles of Spur-pruned training methods used for everything from table grapes (high production) to fine wine (low production).

Question 17

Examples of Cordon Training

Answer 17

Double

Question 18

What is Pierce’s Disease

Answer 18

is a deadly disease of grapevines. It is caused by the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, which is spread by xylem feeding leafhoppers known as sharpshooters. Pierce’s Disease is known to be prevalent within the USA from Florida to California, and outside the USA in Central and South America.

Question 19

What is Phenolic Ripeness?

Answer 19

this refers to the changes in the chemical and physical components of the grape, including the skins, seeds, and stems. The phenolic compounds in these parts of the grape change from bitter and astringent to softer and more rounded. This is important because these compounds contribute to the color, mouthfeel, and astringency of the wine

Question 20

What is sugar ripeness?

Answer 20

the breakdown of acids and the accumulation of sugars in the grapes. It’s a measure of how sweet the grapes are and how much alcohol they will produce. In traditional northern hemisphere wine regions, grapes are typically harvested when they are sugar ripe

Question 21

Name one type of yeast

Answer 21

Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Question 22

Identify Barsac, Lalande-de-Pomerol AOP, Montagne-St-Émilion AOP

Answer 22