Planting Materials

Question 1

Name the six characteristics that need to be considered when selecting a grape variety to plant in a certain climate.

Answer 1

1. time of budburst
2. duration of annual life-cycle
3. tolerance of drought
4. resistance to disease
5. winter hardiness
6. vigor

Question 1

Why is time of budding important?

Answer 1

Early budding varieties are more at risk of spring frost compared to late budding varieties.

Question 2

What role does the length of the annual life cycle of a grape variety play?

Answer 2

• Early-ripening varieties (Chard, Pinot) are best suited to cool climates, ensuring that they reach a suitable level of ripeness before wet, cold weather starts towards late autumn.
• Late-ripening varieties (Mourvedre) are better suited to warm and hot climates. Early ripening varieties in these climates would gain sugar and lose acidity too rapidly, resulting in unbalanced wines.

Question 3

Why might tolerance of drought be an important consideration?

Answer 3

Grape varieties that are able to withstand a high level of water stress (e.g. Grenache), can be the best options in dry climates, such as:

• Southern Rhone
• inland Spain
• McLaren Vale

Question 4

Why and where might disease resistance be an important factor?

Answer 4

Some grape varieties are less susceptible to fungal diseases, meaning that they require less monitoring and/or treating in damp climates.

For example, Cab Sauv is less susceptible to grey rot than Merlot, one of the reasons why the two make useful blending partners, particularly in Bordeaux.

Question 5

Why and where might a variety’s winter hardiness be an important consideration?

Answer 5

Some grape varieties (Vidal and Riesling) are relatively tolerant of very cold winter temperatures, making them suitable for the harsh winters experienced in Germany and Canada.

Question 6

Describe what role a variety’s vigor might play in deciding what vines to plant.

Answer 6

If high vigor grape varieties grown on fertile soils with plentiful water, will mean that the vine’s vigor will need managing to avoid excessive shoot growth.

Question 7

Name the six other factors to take into account when selecting varieties to plant.

Answer 7

1. style of wine
2. yield
3. cost
4. law
5. availability
6. market demand

Question 8

Why is style of wine important when deciding which grapes to grow?

Answer 8

The characteristics of the grapes should be consistent with the style of wine that the producer wants to make. A producer wanting to make a low tannin, fruity red for early drinking is more likely to choose Gamay or Grenache than Nebbiolo or Aglianico.

Question 9

Why is yield an important consideration when deciding which vines to plant?

Answer 9

High yielding varieties or clones allow production of higher yields, which is important when making inexpensive wines.

Question 10

Why is the law an important consideration when deciding which vines to plant?

Answer 10

In many EU countries, local legislation restricts what grape varieties can be planted (e.g. GC Alsace)

Question 11

Why is availability an important consideration when deciding which vines to plant?

Answer 11

Strict quarantine procedures are in place when transporting plant materials across borders. In some regions, there is a large range of choices, and in others, grape varieties or clones may not be available due to demand.

Question 12

Why is market demand an important consideration when deciding which vines to plant?

Answer 12

To be commercially successful, a wine producer must plant vines that meet a market demand.

Question 13

What are two other decisions when choosing planting materials?

Answer 13

• clones
• rootstocks

Question 14

What are the reasons for grafting onto rootstocks?

Answer 14

• protect from phylloxera
• to adapt to local soil conditions

Question 15

What are four factors to consider when planting rootstocks?

Answer 15

1. pest tolerance
2. water
3. soil pH
4. vigor

Question 16

Why is pest tolerance an important consideration when deciding which rootstocks to use?

Answer 16

As well as being tolerant to phylloxera, some rootstocks are tolerant to root-knot nematodes.

Question 17

Describe the role that water plays when selecting rootstocks.

Answer 17

Some rootstocks are highly tolerant of drought. Others are tolerant of water-logged soils. Others are tolerant of higher levels of dissolved salt.

Question 18

Name drought-tolerant rootstock examples.

Answer 18

• hybrids of V. rupestris and V. berlandieri, such as 110R or 140R
• ability to root deeply and quickly

Question 19

Name water-logged soil tolerant rootstock examples.

Answer 19

• based on V. riparia (e.g. Riparia Gloire)

Question 20

Name rootstock examples that are tolerant of higher levels of dissolved salts.

Answer 20

• based on V. berlandieri (e.g. 1103 Paulsen)

Question 21

What role can soil pH play when selecting rootstocks?

Answer 21

Rootstocks can correct issues caused by soils with very high or low pH, which can affect the availability of some nutrients.

Question 22

What are examples of rootstocks with tolerance to low pH soils?

Answer 22

99R and 110R, both hybrids of V. rupestris and V. berlandieri

Question 23

What are examples of a rootstock that tends to be tolerant of soils with high lime content (high pH)?

Answer 23

• based on V. berlandieri (e.g. 41B)

Question 24

Describe the role that vigor plays when selecting rootstocks.

Answer 24

Low vigor rootstocks can advance ripening, which may be useful in cool climates. High vigor rootstocks can be useful if the grape grower wants to boost vine growth and yields in vineyard areas with unfertile soils and dry conditions.

Question 25

What do grape growers do to the vines during their first 2 or 3 years? Why?

Answer 25

• remove inflorescences as they form
• allows the young vine to concentrate its resources on growth

Question 26

Between what ages do vines produce their highest yield?

Answer 26

Between 10 and 40 years

Question 27

At what age do a vine’s yields start decreasing?

Answer 27

40 years-old

Question 28

Where might old vines (50 and up) remain profitable?

Answer 28

Famous vineyards with premium prices.

Question 29

What happens to old vines in areas making inexpensive or mid-priced wines?

Answer 29

They are replanted to increase yields.

Question 30

What are three theories behind the idea that old vines make good wine?

Answer 30

• better balanced and adapted to the environment
• lower yields and higher concentration
• more old wood, meaning higher stores of carbs when stressed

Question 31

What does “Old Vine” mean on a label?

Answer 31

It is unregulated, so it could mean 30 to 100 years-old, depending on the producer.