Viticulture Flashcards

1
Q

Name the physical factors that influence climate.

A

latitude, altitude, ocean currents, fog, mountains, aspect, bodies of water, continentality, diurnal range

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2
Q

What is diurnal range?

A

The difference in temperature between day and night

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3
Q

What is continentality? What is the main factor that impacts continentality and how does that factor impact it.

A

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.

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4
Q

Name the three species native to North America that are resistant to Phylloxera and therefore are used to provide rootstocks for Vitis Vinifera?

A

Vitis Riperia, Vitis Rustris, Vitis Berlandieri

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5
Q

What are the new growth that a vine produces each year known as?

A

Shoots

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6
Q

What is the name of the vine’s flowers that are grouped in bunches. If pollinated they will become bunches of berries.

A

Inflorescences

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7
Q

What is a cutting?

A

A section taken from a healthy shoot that is then planted, takes roots and grows into a new plant

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8
Q

What is layering?

A

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.

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9
Q

What are two methods of propagation of vines?

A

Cutting and layering

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10
Q

What is the difference between a clone, a crossing and a hybrid?

A

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.

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11
Q

When did Phylloxera strike Europe?

A

late 1800s

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12
Q

Name three vine pests.

A

insects such as phylloxera and sharpshooter, nematodes (worm), birds and mammals

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13
Q

Name three vine fungal diseases.

A

powdery mildew, downy mildew, grey rot (caused by botrytis). For certain white grapes, grey rot can be beneficial and is called noble rot

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14
Q

What is the viticulture practice used to counter phylloxera?

A

Grafting.

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15
Q

Describe head grafting. When is it used?

A

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.

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16
Q

How long does it take for a newly planted vineyard to produce a commercial crop?

A

3 years minimum

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17
Q

What are the 6 main international grape varieties?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Pinot Noir,

Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc,

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18
Q

What conditions does Muscat need to ripen? What flavor characteristic do all Muscats have in common? When are they best consumed?

A

Warm, dry conditions to ripen. Intense grapey flavor. Best consumed when youthful, fruity and fresh.

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19
Q

What is the difference in style in Pinot Gris from Alsace and other new world regions vs. Italian Pinot Grigio?

A

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.

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20
Q

Describe a typical syrah/shiraz.

A

deep color, high tannin, black fruit, spice aromas.

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21
Q

What are the typical fruit flavors of Tempranillo?

A

Ripe strawberries and plums.

22
Q

What are the 7 factors that affect wine?

A

grape varietal, climate, weather, soil, viticulture, vinification, maturation

23
Q

What is the latitude between which vines can grow?

A

30 and 50 degrees

24
Q

Describe a Mediterranean climate and give some examples.

A

Low continentality. hot summers, warm winters, not a lot of rainfall. Examples: California, Tuscany

25
Q

Describe a maritime climate and give some examples.

A

Cool to moderate temperatures. Low continentality. Close to a body of water. Rainfall spread evenly throughout the year. Examples: Bordeaux, Rias Baixas, Muscadet

26
Q

Describe a continental climate and give some examples.

A

High continentality. Short summers, large rapid temperature drop in fall. La Mancha, Mosel, Burgundy

27
Q

How do large bodies of water impact temperature?

A

They heat up and cool down slower than land masses so they moderate temperature. They have a warming effect in winter and at night time and a cooling effect in summer and daytime.

28
Q

What is vigor?

A

The number and size of shoots and leaves a vine produces in a season.

29
Q

What are the 3 ways a viticulturalist manages vigor?

A

1) Trellis 2) Training 3) Pruning

30
Q

What are the two types of pruning? How many buds is each typically left with?

A

Spur pruning - 2-3 buds

Cane / guyot pruning - 8-20 buds; most often seen on head trained vines

31
Q

What are the two main kinds of trellising systems? Describe each.

A

Bush training - training of vines as free standing plants with no trellising; typically head trained and spur pruned; best suited to hot/dry regions
Vertical Shoot positioning - The vine shoots are trained upward to create a single canopy with the fruit below

32
Q

What 4 factors determine a vine’s vigor?

A

water, heat, nutrients, sunlight

33
Q

What unit are yields measured in and what is the equivalent in gallons?

A

hectolitre. 26.5 gallons

34
Q

What is the difference between Organic and Biodynamic Viticulture

A

Organic viticulture allows only a very restricted use of chemical treatments. Accreditation is required.
Biodynamic viticulture is a version of organic viticulture that adapts vineyard practices to coincide with cycles of planets and stars.

35
Q

What are the advantages of machine harvesting?

A

Speed - can be essential if the vintage is threatened by bad weather or if the grapes go from ripe to over ripe quickly.
Can also work through the night at cooler temperatures.

36
Q

In what months does budburst typically happen in the northern hemisphere?

A

March - April

37
Q

In what months does flower and fruit set typically happen in the northern hemisphere?

A

May - June

38
Q

What is veraison and how do you recognize it?

A

The point at which grapes begin to ripen. It is signalled by a change of color in the grapes’ skin. Typically happens July - Sept in the northern hemisphere.

39
Q

What is the most popular form of grafting?

A

Bench grafting - automated process carried out by plant nurseries

40
Q

What advantages do American rootstocks provide?

A

Resistance against phylloxera, nematodes and drought

41
Q

What is the difference between a cane and a spur?

A

Cane - long, with 8-20 buds

Spur - short, only 2-3 buds

42
Q

What five things does a vine need to survive?

A

heat, sunlight, water, nutrients, CO2

43
Q

What are four ways to protect vines from frost?

A

Heaters, wind machines, sprinklers, thoughtful vineyard design (plant vineyards on slopes)

44
Q

What causes chlorosis?

A

A lack of nutrients in the soil.

45
Q

What is humus?

A

Organic matter in the soil such as decomposing leaves and animal material. It’s rich in plant nutrients and has excellent water retaining properties.

46
Q

When are most vines typically replaced?

A

Between the ages of 30-50 years

47
Q

What are the two types of vine training?

A

Head and cordon

48
Q

What are the benefits of VSP?

A

Control the amount of sunlight that gets into the canopy (can be adapted so that the tops of the shoots flop over to provide some shade); improve air circulation; aid mechanization

49
Q

What is green harvesting?

A

Removing immature grapes shortly after veraison to reduce yields

50
Q

What is MOG?

A

Matter other than grapes - leaf, insects, contaminants