Ch. 4: Approaches to Grape Growing

Question 1

Preparation 500

Answer 1

A remedy used in biodynamic agriculture where cow manure is stuffed into a cow horn and buried over the winter. The contents are then dug up, combined with water, and sprayed over the soil. It is thought to cause hummus formation.

Question 2

Conventional Viticulture

Answer 2

A farming method that uses mechanization, synthetic fertilizers, and monoculture with the aim of increasing yields and decreasing labor costs.

Question 3

Sustainable Viticulture

Answer 3

A farming method that reduces the use of synthetic agrochemicals while also maximizing profit. The approach is holistic, and considers social, economic and environmental impacts of farming. Practices include integrated pest management (lutte raisonee), and the prevention of disease through knowing the lifecycle of vines, pests, and weather.

Question 4

Integrated Pest Management

Answer 4

Also called lutte raisonee. This is a practice used in Sustainable Viticulture that prioritizes organic practices, but is prepared to use chemicals when necessary, only when certain thresholds are passed.

Question 5

Organic Viticulture

Answer 5

A certified farming method that does not allow the use of agrochemicals with the aim of improving vine and soil health. Common practices include the use of compost, biodiversity, cover crops, natural fertilizers, and the reduction of monoculture.

Question 6

Biodynamic Viticulture

Answer 6

A certified farming method that incorporates organic practices with cosmology and philosophy. It is based on the teachings of Rudolph Steiner and Maria Thun.

Question 7

Preparation 501

Answer 7

Used in biodynamic viticulture, it is thought to encourage plant growth. It involves stuffing cow horns with silica, burying the horns for six months, mixing the contents with water and spraying them over the soil.

Question 8

Compost

Answer 8

Organic matter added to the soil to increase soil health. Used in sustainable, organic, and biodynamic agriculture. In biodynamic agriculture, certain, mostly herbal-based, preparations are mixed in with the compost.

Question 9

Precision Viticulture

Answer 9

An agricultural method that uses data from the soil, topography, and vine to decrease variation between and within vineyards and manage factors like irrigation, canopy growth, and vine vigor in a much more precise manner.