Viticulture Flashcards
Name the physical factors that influence climate.
latitude, altitude, ocean currents, fog, mountains, aspect, bodies of water, continentality, diurnal range
What is diurnal range?
The difference in temperature between day and night
What is continentality? What is the main factor that impacts continentality and how does that factor impact it.
The difference in temperature between summer and winter. Proximity to large bodies of water - large bodies of water heat up and cool down slower than land masses so they have a warming effect in the winter and a cooling effect in the summer.
Name the three species native to North America that are resistant to Phylloxera and therefore are used to provide rootstocks for Vitis Vinifera?
Vitis Riperia, Vitis Rustris, Vitis Berlandieri
What are the new growth that a vine produces each year known as?
Shoots
What is the name of the vine’s flowers that are grouped in bunches. If pollinated they will become bunches of berries.
Inflorescences
What is a cutting?
A section taken from a healthy shoot that is then planted, takes roots and grows into a new plant
What is layering?
Bending down a cane and burying a section of it in the ground until the buried section takes roots . Once it’s extablished itself, the cane is cut.
What are two methods of propagation of vines?
Cutting and layering
What is the difference between a clone, a crossing and a hybrid?
A clone is an exact replica of a vine variety.
A crossing is a vine variety created by cross-pollinating two different varieties of the same species, vitis vinifera.
A hybrid is a vine variety created by cross-pollinating two vines of different species.
When did Phylloxera strike Europe?
late 1800s
Name three vine pests.
insects such as phylloxera and sharpshooter, nematodes (worm), birds and mammals
Name three vine fungal diseases.
powdery mildew, downy mildew, grey rot (caused by botrytis). For certain white grapes, grey rot can be beneficial and is called noble rot
What is the viticulture practice used to counter phylloxera?
Grafting.
Describe head grafting. When is it used?
Head grafting is a process by which a bud or cutting from a new variety is grafted onto the trunk of an existing vine. This is used if a grower needs to switch to another variety and does not want to replant the vineyard.
How long does it take for a newly planted vineyard to produce a commercial crop?
3 years minimum
What are the 6 main international grape varieties?
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Pinot Noir,
Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc,
What conditions does Muscat need to ripen? What flavor characteristic do all Muscats have in common? When are they best consumed?
Warm, dry conditions to ripen. Intense grapey flavor. Best consumed when youthful, fruity and fresh.
What is the difference in style in Pinot Gris from Alsace and other new world regions vs. Italian Pinot Grigio?
Pinto Gris tend to be richer, fuller bodied, higher in alcohol, moderate to low in acidity with ripe exotic fruit.
Pinot Grigio tend to be lighter, more neutral with higher acidity.
Describe a typical syrah/shiraz.
deep color, high tannin, black fruit, spice aromas.