Viticulture - Out on the Vineyard

Question 1

Q: Most grapes thrive between which Latitudes?

Answer 1

30° and 50° Latitude

in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres

Question 2

Define:

Viticulture

Answer 2

Definition:

All factors that affect Vine-Growing.

Short Story:

The things that pertain to the farming of grape vines.

Question 3

Describe the three different sizes of Climate from Largest to Smallest

Answer 3

• Macroclimate
• Mesoclimate
• Microclimate

Question 4

Define:

Macroclimate

Answer 4

Definition:

An entire Wine Region

Question 5

Define:

Mesoclimate

Answer 5

Definition:

A particular Vineyard

Question 6

Define:

Microclimate

Answer 6

Definition:

A specific Single Row or Vine

Question 7

Define:

Continental Climate

Answer 7

Definition:

Areas NOT in close proximity to large bodies of water which would moderate the temperature. Strong annual variation of temperature with hotter summers and sometimes extremely cold winters.

Question 8

Define:

Maritime Climate

Answer 8

Definition:

A climate influenced by a large body of water like a Sea or Ocean. Mild Temperatures that can fluctuate from year to year, causing vintage variation.

Question 9

Define:

Mediterranean Climate

Answer 9

Definition:

Summers are Hot and Dry except on the coastal areas.

Along the coasts, summers are mild due to cold water currents with some chance of storms.

Question 10

Define:

High Desert Climate

Answer 10

Definition:

Summers are generally Hot and Dry with temperatures dropping dramatically overnight.

Question 11

Q: What are the four Temperature Definitions?

Answer 11

• Cool
• Moderate
• Warm
• Hot

Question 12

Define:

Diurnal Shift

Answer 12

Definition:

The difference in temperature between the average Daytime Highs and Nighttime Lows. Can affect balance of Sugars and Acids in resulting Wines.

Question 13

Define:

Sunshine Hours

Answer 13

Definition:

The number of Sunshine Hours that a Vineyard or Wine Region recieves in a given vintage year or growing season.

Question 14

Define:

Threats

Answer 14

Definition:

Forces of Nature that can be potential threats to vineyard health and viability.

Question 15

Define:

Frost or Freeze

Question 16

Define:

Hail

Answer 16

Definition:

Pellets of frozen rain.

Can shatter grapes on the vine.

Question 17

What can Strong Winds do to Vineyards/Grape Vines?

Answer 17

Strong Winds can blow vines over and blow buds and flowers off of the vines, preventing the actual grapes from growing.

Question 18

Define:

Climate Moderators

Answer 18

Definition:

Climate Factors that can strongly influence the climate of a specific Region by

Warming or Cooling it.

Question 19

Name three examples of this Climate Moderator:

Bodies of Water

Answer 19

• Rivers
• Lakes
• Oceans

Question 20

Q: How do Mountains Moderate the climate of a Wine Region?

Answer 20

A: Mountains can protect a wine region from surrounding weather or climate influences.

Question 21

Define:

Rain Shadow

(very important)

Answer 21

a DRY area on one side of a mountain opposite the wind, rain and generally poor weather on the other side.

Ex. Alsace, Eastern Washington State, Mendoza and more.

Question 22

Q: How does Altitude/Elevation

Moderate Climate?

Answer 22

A: With every 100 meters of elevation gain the temperature drops by approximately one degree. Increased elevation also provides cooler temperatures that slow grape ripening and make more balanced wines.

Short Story:

the higher up you go, the cooler the temp!

Question 23

Q: How does Wind act to Moderate the Climate of a Wine Region?

Answer 23

A: Depending on the direction from which winds originate, wind can cool or warm a region.

Short Story:

Wind from Desert ⇒⇒⇒ Warms Wine Region

Wind from Oceans, etc. ⇒⇒⇒ Cools Wine Region

Question 24

Q: How do steeper hillsides affect a Wine Region?

Answer 24

A: Steeper Hillsides provide better drainage of soil, they are often times less fertile due to erosion. They are also harder to maintain during growing season and harvest.

Question 25

Q: Valley Floors influence vine growth in what way(s)?

Answer 25

A: Valley Floors pool air, are susceptable to frost and have overly fertile soil from nutrients and minerals washing down the valley slopes.

Question 26

Define:

Slope Aspect

Answer 26

Definition:

Slopes facing the sun for most of the day are the warmest whereas slopes facing away from the sun are coolest. Either can be desirable depending on the climate of the region and on whether ripening or retention of acidity is most desired by the grower/winemaker.

Short Story:

Aspect = the direction the hillside faces and how much sun it gets.

Question 27

Name four different Soil Types.

Answer 27

• Granite
• Limestone/Chalk
• Marl
• Schist
• Clay
• Sand
• Silt
• Gravel

Question 28

Q: What attributes does the Skin of a grape impart to a wine?

Answer 28

• Tannins
• Color
• Flavor

Question 29

Q: What two major factors are imparted to a wine from skin contact?

Answer 29

• Tannic Structure
• Color

Question 30

Q: As a grape ripens on the vine, what happens to the Sugar and Acid levels?

Answer 30

A: Sugar levels increase.

Acid levels decrease.

Question 31

Q: Will an early-harvest wine show more sugar or acid and why?

Answer 31

A: Acid, because the grape wasn’t given added time to ripen and produce more sugar.

Question 32

Q: What is the Latin name for the most common wine-making grape vine?

Answer 32

A: Vitis Vinifera

Question 33

Cause and Effect:

Cool Climate will do what to the resulting wine?

(This is also called the “style” of the wine)

Answer 33

• Grapes ripen slowly and moderately
• Less sugar is produced
• Acidity remains high
• Less alcohol potential
• Flavors are more tart and lean, less ripe and juicy.

Question 34

Cause and Effect:

Warm Climate will do what to the resulting wine?

(This is also called a “style” of wine)

Answer 34

• Grapes ripen fully
• More sugar is produced
• Acidity is lower
• Higher alcohol potential
• Flavors are more ripe, lush and juicy

Question 35

Define:

Vine Spacing

Answer 35

Definition:

How far apart or close together individual vines are planted.

Question 36

Define:

Vine Training

Answer 36

Definition:

Vines will continue to grow out of control unless a vineyard manager tells them what to do. Vines are trimmed to grow in specific ways to control the vines production of grapes, leaves and wood.

Question 37

Define:

Yield

Answer 37

Definition:

The amount of fruit the vine produces.

Measured in:

Tons per Acre

Hectolitres per Hectare

Pounds or Kilos per Vine

Question 38

Define:

Green Harvest

Answer 38

Definition:

Dropping or Cutting grape bunches off of the vine before harvest to focus the vine’s energy on fewer, higher quality bunches.

Question 39

Define:

Phylloxera

***Very important for exam***

Answer 39

Definition:

A Vine Louse that destroyed 1/3 of the world’s grape vines in beginning in the 1800s.

BTW: It was one of the greatest threats to wine production in history.

Question 40

Define:

Canopy Management

Answer 40

Definition:

Managing the growth of the vine’s leaves, often to shade or expose the grape bunches or control the flow of air through the vine rows.