Viticulture and Vineyard Management Flashcards
Identify the 3 types of continentality and describe them with examples.
(1) Continental-large difference between hottest and coldest seasons in terms of temperature over the course of the growing season (Chablis, Champagne). (2) Maritime-low difference in temperature variation and even rainfall over the course of a growing season (Bordeaux). (3) Mediterranean-low temperature difference with warm and dry summers (California, Chile, South Africa, SE Australia).
Identify and describe the 4 types of climate temperature ranges.
(1) Cool <16.5C. (2) Moderate 16.5-18.5C. (3) Warm 18.5-21C. (4) Hot >21C.
List and describe the characteristics of water retaining soils.
(1) Limestone/Chalk adds acidity to grapes. (2) Clay cooling and adds acid to grapes. (3) Silt.
List and describe soils that are heat retaining.
(1) Granite adds acidity to grapes. (2) Marl adds acidity to a grape. (3) Shist. (4) Sand Phylloxera free.
List and describe well draining soils.
(1) Gravel with limestone produces high acid grapes.
What is head grafting? What are the advantages to head grafting?
Head grafting is the process where an existing vine is cut back to its trunk and a cutting is strategically grafted onto the rootstock. Advantages are that when a vineyard needs to change a variety of grapes, it is more cost effective than replanting the vineyard and is quick to turn around product. It would take 3-5 years to wait for a replanted vineyard to produce fruit. Head grafting allows fruit to be produced the next season.
Explain the annual growth cycle of a vine.
The growth cycle starts in winter with dormancy where the vines store carbohydrates and halts growth. The vines are pruned in the winter and this will dictate the yield for the upcoming growth season. In spring the vine will produce buds, new shoots and eventually flowers and grape clusters called fruit set. Over the early summer the vines will grow and begin to ripen green, highly acidic and low sugar grapes, becoming swollen with water, sugars, and acid lessens. In the autumn, Vérasion happens where flavors develop, tannins ripen, and skins develop and grapes fully ripen for harvest. The growth cycle ends after harvest is over and the winter season will begin again. This is an annual process.
What are the 5 things a grape vine needs to thrive? How is quality impacted by these factors?
(1) Heat. (2) Sunlight Hours. (3) Carbon Dioxide. (4) Water. (5) Nutrients. The quality of fruit will be determined on how available/unavailable these factors are to the vines. These factors can change constantly and the quality of the wine will in part be determined by these factors.
Describe how latitude impacts heat.
The latitudinal zones that are typically used to grow grapes are 30-50C North and 30-50C South of the equator.
Describe how altitude impacts heat.
Temperatures will be higher or lower depending on altitude. The further up in altitude a vineyard is the cooler it will be. The lower it is it will be warmer.
How do ocean currents impact heat?
Major ocean currents transports large. volumes of warm or cold water across the surface of the ocean, leading to localized warming or cooling effects. Examples are the Humbolt current/Chile has a cooling effect on the vineyards. The Bengula current in South Africa has a cooling effect on the vineyards. The Gulf Stream coming off the Atlantic Ocean brings warmth to otherwise cool regions like Bordeaux.
Describe how fog impacts heat.
Fog cools and area that may otherwise struggle to produce quality grapes by cooling vineyards.
Describe how soils impact heat.
Soils can vary from region to region, vineyard to vineyard. Dark colored soils or soils with high rock content absorb and radiate heat. Examples of this would be with granite, schist, sand. Soils can also cool a vineyard by conducting heat away from the vines and aid in water retention. Examples of these soils are limestone, clay, and silt.
Describe how aspect effects a vineyard and heat.
The direction a slope faces determines how much heat the vines will receive. In the Northern hemisphere south facing sites are preferred. In the Southern hemisphere north facing slopes are preferred. The best vineyards are in these aspects because they face the equator receiving the most heat. This is especially important in cool climates like the Mosel in Germany.
Describe what is meant by continentality. Why is this important in vineyard planning?
Continentality refers to the difference between the hottest and coldest temperatures of the annual growing cycle. High continentality means there is a large swing in these temperatures. Low continentality is where the range between these temperatures is smaller.
