The growing environment Flashcards

1
Q

What are the 5 things needed for a vine to complete its annual cycle?

A
  1. Warmth
  2. Sunlight
  3. Water
  4. Carbon dioxid
  5. Nutrients
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2
Q

What is the min temperature for the vine to grow?

A

At least 10°C

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3
Q

What are the 6 main factors affecting heat in the vineyard?

A
  1. Latitude
  2. Altitude
  3. Soil
  4. Aspect
  5. Fog
  6. Ocean currents
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4
Q

What is the usual range of latitude for winegrowing regions?

A

Most vineyards are located between 30° and 50° north and south of the Equator

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5
Q

What is the impact of altitude on the vineyard?

A

As altitude increases, temperature drops.

Can help temperate hotter climates

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6
Q

What is the influence of ocean currents on the vineyard?

A

The major currents transport large volumes of cold or warm water accross the surface of the ocean = leads to localised warming or cooling in some wine regions

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7
Q

What is the influence of fog on the vineyard?

A

Can help cool an area that might otherwise be too hot to produce high-quality grapes

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8
Q

What is the influence of soils on the heat in the vineyard?

A

Dark soils or soils with a high stone and rock content absorb and reradiate more of the sun’s heat than lighter coloured soils.
- can be critical for ripening fruit in cool climates.

Soils with high water content require more energy to warm up, and conduct heat from the vine more quickly than dry soils.
- can delay budburst

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9
Q

What is the influence of aspect on the heat in the vineyard?

A

Aspect facing the Equator = receive the most heat.

Northern Hemisphere = south facing slopes
Southern Hemisphere = north facing slopes

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10
Q

What is continentality?

A

Temperature difference between the hottest and coldest months of the year

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11
Q

What is the diurnal range?

A

Difference between daytime and nightime temperatures

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12
Q

What is the effect of large bodies of water on continentality?

A

Large bodies of water heat up and cool down more slowly than landmasses.
= warming effect on the surrounding air in winter, cooling in summer

Areas close to large bodies of water generally have low continentality
Wine regions that are far inland = usually more temperature extremes (high continentality)

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13
Q

What is the impact of continentality on the growing season?

A

Determines the length of the growing season = impact on the total amount of heat available to a vine

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14
Q

What is the impact of cool nights on grape growing?

A

Slows the loss of aromas and acidity in the grapes during ripening

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15
Q

What is the impact of warm nights on grape growing?

A

Accelerates grape growing

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16
Q

What are 2 moderating influences affecting the diurnal range and their consequences?

A
  1. Bodies of water
    Even small bodies of water can hold enough warmth to keep vineyards warm overnight + provide cooling breezes during the day
  2. Cloud cover
    Temperatures drop quicker on clear nights (no insulating blanket of cloud) = increases diurnal range
    Temperatures rise slower on cloudy days (sunlight cannot heat the ground directly) =reduces diurnal range
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17
Q

What are the 4 main ways to prevent spring frost?

A
  1. Heaters
  2. Wind machines
  3. Sprinklers
  4. Thoughtful vineyard design
18
Q

How do heaters prevent spring frost?

A

The heat they generate creates movement in the air preventing the cold air from settling and creating the frost

19
Q

How do sprinklers prevent spring frost?

A

They spray water on the vines. As the water freezes, it releases heat into the plant tissue and protects the buds and shoots

20
Q

How do wind machines prevent spring frost?

A

Draws warm air from above to keep temperature at ground level above freezing

21
Q

How does thoughtful vineyard design prevent spring frost?

A

Cold air sinks to the lowest point it can find; vineyards planted on the middle of the slopes are less at risk

22
Q

What are the factors affecting sunlight in the vineyard and their effects?

A
  1. Latitude
    Day length during the summer growing season is longer the further the vineyard is from the Equator = extra sunlight
  2. Seas and lakes
    Provide more cloud cover = less light
  3. Aspect
    The steeper the slope = the more sunlight
22
Q

What are the factors affecting sunlight in the vineyard and their effects?

A
  1. Latitude
    Day length during the summer growing season is longer the further the vineyard is from the Equator = extra sunlight
  2. Seas and lakes
    Provide more cloud cover = less light
  3. Aspect
    The steeper the slope = the more sunlight
23
Q

What is sunburn and what are the consequences on the wine?

A

Sunburn = caused by too intense sunny conditions

Can cause bitter flavors in the grape skins

24
Q

How to avoid sunburn in the vineyard?

A

Manage the vine canopy so that the grapes are shaded from the sun

25
Q

What technique is used to prevent winter freeze?

A

Earthing up = earth is used to cover up and protect the graft from the cold

26
Q

What are the 3 main techniques used when rainfall is low?

A
  1. Drip irrigation
  2. Sprinklers
  3. Flood irrigation
27
Q

What is drip irrigation?

A

Most expensive irrigation technique

Each vine has its own dripper that can be computer controlled

28
Q

What are the advantages and inconvenients of using sprinklers?

A

Cheaper but waste a lot of water + create damp conditions in the vineyard (increases the risk of diseases)

29
Q

What are the advantages and disadvantages of flood irrigation?

A

Very cheap

Only possible in flat or gently slopped vineyards + needs a large quantity of water

30
Q

What is the impact of rain on the harvest date?

A

Heavy rain just before harvest can cause the berries to swell excessively = dilutes the flavors
Sometimes the berries are so full they can split = attracts fungal diseases

31
Q

How can we prevent the impact of hail on the vineyard

A
  1. Netting

2. Owning several vineyards sites in different locations (hail is very localized)

32
Q

What are the 4 different types of climate?

A
  1. Cool climate (average growing season temperature of 16.5°C or below)
  2. Moderate climate (average growing season temperature of 16.5°C to 18.5°C)
  3. Warm climate (average growing season temperature of 18.5°C to 21°C)
  4. Hot climate (average growing season temperature in excess of 21°C)
33
Q

What are the characteristics of a continental climate?

A

High continentality (short dry summers with large and rapid temperature drop in autumn)

Cool continental climates are at risk for spring frost (Chablis)

34
Q

What are the characteristics of a maritime climate?

A
  1. Cool to moderate temperatures and low continentality
  2. Rainfall is evenly spread during the year (helps moderate the temperature - extends the growing season far into autumn)

BUT rainfall in the spring and summer can be harmful to the flowering, fruit set and health of the grapes at harvest

35
Q

What are the characteristics of a mediterranean climate?

A
  1. Low continentality BUT warm and dry summers

Extra warmth and sunlight when compared to maritime climates = fuller bodied wines with riper tannins, higher alcohol, lower acidity

Can have drought problems

36
Q

What can be a consequence of having too much clay in the soil?

A

Clay retains water - too much clay can lead to waterlogged soils

37
Q

What can be a consequence of having too much sand and stone in a soil?

A

Too much water drainage = irrigation can be needed

38
Q

What are the 3 most important nutrients for a vine?

A
  1. Phosphorus
  2. Potassium
  3. Nitrogen
39
Q

What is a common symptom appearing when the vine lacks nutrients?

A

Chlorosis = leaves turn yellow and photosynthesis is restricted = struggle to ripen the grapes successfully