5 - The growing environment

Question 1

Environment

What are the 6 key stages of the vines annual growth cycle?

Answer 1

1) Winter - Dormancy - No green parts
2) Spring - Budburst marks start of growing season. New shoots start to grow
3) Late Spring/Early Summer - The vine flowers and small grapes form - Fruitset
4) Summer - Grapes grow but remain hard and green. High levels of acid, low sugar.
5) Late Summer/Early Autumn - Grapes start to ripen. Grapes become swollen with water, sugar rises, and acid drops. Flavours develop. The first sign of this process is a change in colour (Veraison)
6) Autumn - After harvest, the growing season comes to an end. Vine drops its leaves and goes dormant

Question 2

Environment

What are the 5 things a vine needs?

Answer 2

1) Heat
2) Sunlight
3) CO2
4) Water
5) Nutrients

Question 3

Environment

Where does a vine get heat from?

Answer 3

From the sun or reflected back from the soil.

Question 4

Environment

Why is heat important?

Answer 4

If it is too cold the wine will not grow or struggle to survive.

Question 5

Environment

What temperature does the vine need to exceed to start growing?

Answer 5

Above 10 degrees

Question 6

Environment

What is Photosynthesis?

Answer 6

The process by which the plant uses sunlight to convert water and CO2 into glucose and oxygen

Question 7

Environment

Summeraise how the 5 key things a vine needs aid the vines growth cycle.

Answer 7

Heat allows the vine to grow.

The vine uses Sunlight to combine CO2 and Water to produce Glucose and Oxygen (photosynthesis).

The vine combines glucose and Nutrientsfrom the soil to support its growth and feed ripening.

Oxygen is lost through the leaves

Question 8

Environment - heat

What are the 6 factors that affect the heat in a vineyard.

Answer 8

1) Latitude
2) Altitude
3) Ocean currents
4) Fog
5) Soil
6) Aspect

Question 9

Environment - heat

What latitude is suitable for vine growing?

Answer 9

Between 30 and 50 degress north or south of the equator.

Question 10

Environment - heat

Why is Altitude significant on temperature?

Answer 10

As altitude increases, temperature drops. This means areas nearer the equator can grow vines if the altitude is right

Question 11

Environment - heat

How do Ocean Currents play a role in moderating heat?

Answer 11

The major currents transport large volumes of cold and warm water across the surface of the ocean, leading to localised cooling and warming in certain wine regions.

Question 12

Environment - heat

What ocean current cools Chile, allowing grape growing?

Answer 12

The Humboldt Current

Question 13

Environment - heat

What ocean current cools South Africa, allowing grape growing?

Answer 13

The Benguela Current

Question 14

Environment - heat

What ocean current warms Northwest Europe, allowing grape growing?

Answer 14

The Gulf Stream

Question 15

Environment - heat

What role does fog play in the vineyard?

Answer 15

Fog can help cool an area that might otherwise struggle to produce high-quality grapes.

Question 16

Environment - heat

What regions benefit from fog in the vineyards?

Answer 16

Fog is important in California and Casablanca Valley in Chile

Question 17

Environment - heat

What environmental value do dark soils, or those with a high stone or rock content, have?

Answer 17

They absorb and reradiate more of the sun’s heat than lighter soils.

Question 18

Environment - heat

How are dark soils, or those with a high stone or rock content, most benefitial?

Answer 18

Can be critical in cool climates to ripen fruit.

Question 19

Environment - heat

What environmental impact do soils with high water content, have?

Answer 19

They require more energy to warm up. This may delay budburst.

Question 20

Environment - heat

What is meant by Aspect in the vineyard?

Answer 20

The direction in which a slope faces

Question 21

Environment - heat

What aspect in a vineyard gets the most heat?

Answer 21

Those facing the equator

Question 22

Environment - heat

Which aspect gets the most heat in the Northern Hemisphere?

Answer 22

Southern slopes (facing the equator)

Question 23

Environment - heat

Which aspect gets the most heat in the Southern Hemisphere?

Answer 23

Northern slopes (facing the equator)

Question 24

Environment - heat

What types of slopes benefit most from their aspect?
(heat from equator)

Answer 24

Steep slopes benefit more from facing the equator than shallow ones.

Question 25

# Environment - heat What is meant by **Continentality**?

Answer 25

The temperature difference between the coolest and the hottest months

Question 26

# Environment - heat What is meant by '**low continentality'**?

Answer 26

Smaller variations in temperatures throughout the year. (Townsville)

Question 27

# Environment - heat What is meant by '**high continentality'**?

Answer 27

Large variations in temperatures throughout the year. (Canberra)

Question 28

# Environment - heat How do **large bodies of water** like lakes and seas effect **continentality**?

Answer 28

Large bodies of water warm up and cool down slower than land masses. This means the water has a cooling effect on the air in Summer and a warming effect in Winter, leading to lower overall temperature changes.

Question 29

# Environment - heat Does **continentality** have an influence on the growing season?

Answer 29

Yes. It will determine the overall length of the growing season and influence what varieties can be successfully grown.

Question 30

# Environment - heat What is menat by '**Diurnal range**'?

Answer 30

The difference between day time and night time temperatures

Question 31

# Environment - heat What effect does **cool nights** have on the grapes?

Answer 31

Help slow down the loss of aromas and acidity in the grapes during ripening

Question 32

# Environment - heat What effect does **warm nights** have on the grapes?

Answer 32

Help accelerate ripening

Question 33

# Environment - heat Explain how a vineyard with a **high diurnal range** range can produce a different wine than one with a **low diurnal range** when both are in a warm to hot climate.

Answer 33

The night time temperatures will have a different effect on both vineyards. The one with a cooler night will have fresher and more aromatic wine than the warmer night as the cooling effect slows down the loss of aroma and acidity.

Question 34

# Environment - heat Can bodies of water change a vineyards **diurnal range**?

Answer 34

Yes. Even small bodies of water can help reduce diurnal range as the water is slower to change temperature. These bodies can hold enough warmth to keep the vineyard warm overnight and provide a cooling breeze during the day.

Question 35

# Environment - heat What 2 factors can alter a vineyards **diurnal range**?

Answer 35

* Bodies of water * Cloud cover

Question 36

# Environment - heat How do clouds effect **diurnal range**?

Answer 36

Temperatures drop more quickly on clear nights (no insulation from clouds). Temperatures rise slower on cloudy days when sunlight can't heat the ground directly.

Question 37

# Environment - temerature hazards What temperature can **frost** damage the vine?

Answer 37

-20 degrees C

Question 38

# Environment - temerature hazards What is 'earthing up'?

Answer 38

Using earth to cover up a graft to protect it from frost

Question 39

# Environment - temerature hazards What effect can **mild winters** have on the vineyard?

Answer 39

The vine may not have a dormant period and may produce more than one crop per year. Its life will be shorter, and the quality of the grapes will be impacted. Mild winters may also mean insects survive to attack the following summer.

Question 40

# Environment - temerature hazards When do **Spring frosts** occur and what can they do?

Answer 40

Spring frosts occur when cold air <0 degrees collects at the ground, freezing water vapour that has settled. This can kill new bud bursts or new shoots.

Question 41

# Environment - temerature hazards What are the 4 main forms of protetion from **frost**?

Answer 41

1) Heaters - creating movement in the air, preventing the cold air from settling 2) Wind machines - large fans drawing warm air from above 3) Sprinklers - spraying water on vines. As the water freezes, it releases heat into the plant tissue 4) Thoughtful vineyard design - Cold air sinks to the lowest point in the vineyard. If vines are planted on slopes, it can avoid this frost

Question 42

# Environment - temerature hazards What impact does **cold temperatures** have on the **growing season**?

Answer 42

Cold temperatures in Spring can delay budburst, shortening the growing season, meaning vines may not fully ripen before the temperature drops again. Flowering and fruitset can be disrupted, resulting in smaller-than-average crops.

Question 43

# Environment - temerature hazards What impact does **hot temperatures** have on the **growing season**?

Answer 43

During Summer, extreme heat can slow down vine activity and may stop it altogether. This prevents the grapes from ripening. In extreme cases, the vine can die. Hot temperatures also increase the risk of fires. This could destroy vines or result in a smoke taint on the grapes.

Question 44

# Environment - Sunlight What is the key role **sunlight** plays in the vineyard?

Answer 44

Without sunlight, **photosynthesis** cannot take place.

Question 45

# Environment - Sunlight What is the impact of **lots of sunlight** on a vineyard?

Answer 45

More sunlight, more photosynthesis, more glucose for growth and grape ripening. On the negative, too much sun can lead to sunburn and bitter flavours developing in the grape skins

Question 46

# Environment - Sunlight What is the impact of **too little sunlight** on a vineyard?

Answer 46

Very cloudy or foggy conditions lead to a reduction in photosynthesis and, hence, a reduction in sugar accumulation that is needed for ripening.

Question 47

# Environment - Sunlight What are the 3 factors that affect the **sunlight** in a vineyard.

Answer 47

1) **Latitude** - day length during the summer growing season is longer, further from the equator. 2) **Seas and Lakes** - vineyards near water tend to have more cloud cover, reducing direct sunlight. On the other hand, those near lakes may benefit from the reflective effects 3) **Aspect**—The slope's aspect affects the sunlight it receives, with steeper slopes benefitting from more sunlight. Vineyards facing the equator receive more sunlight.

Question 48

# Environment - Water How does a vine access **water**?

Answer 48

The vine accesses water through its roots and draws the water up to its leaves.

Question 49

# Environment - Water What determines how much **water** a vine needs?

Answer 49

Temperture

Question 50

# Environment - Water How does a vine lose **water**?

Answer 50

Via evaporation through the vines leaves. As it gets warmer, watre evaporates quicker, meaning the vine needs to take up more water.

Question 51

# Environment - Water How is **water management** beneficial in the growing season?

Answer 51

Once a good canopy of leaves has grown, limiting the amount of water for ripening in beneficial. This water shortage means the vine concentrates on ripening the grapes rather than further shoot growth. This also manages the canopy to ensure it doesn't provide too much shade.

Question 52

# Environment - Water What are the **sources of water** for a vine?

Answer 52

* Rainfall * Irrigation

Question 53

# Environment - Water What are the 3 main irrigation techniques?

Answer 53

1) Drip irrigation. Each vine has its own dripper 2) Sprinklers - Pump water and shower it over the vineyard. Wastes water and causes damp conditions, increasing disease risk 3) Flood irrigation is cheap, but the land needs to be flat and have access to large volumes of water.