4.3 Organic Viticulture

Question 1

What is organic viticulture?

Answer 1

It rejects the use of man-made (also known as synthetic) fertilisers, fungicides, herbicides and pesticides.

Question 2

What are the aims of organic viticulture?

Answer 2

It seeks to improve the soil of the vineyard and the range of microbes and animals, such as earthworms, within it and thereby increase the health and disease-resistance of the vine

Question 3

What are the 4 key features of organic viticulture?

Answer 3

1. Application of compost
2. Cover crops
3. Natural fertilisers
4. Reduce monoculture of vineyards

Question 4

What does the application of compost do for a vineyard?

Answer 4

• Breaks down in the soil providing a slow release of nutrients for vines
• Improves the structure and increases the biomass in the soil (the total quantity or weight of organisms in a given area or volume)

Question 5

What do cover crops do for a vineyard?

Answer 5

• Prevent erosion of the soil
• Contribute to the improvement of the life of the soil through ploughing them in (‘green manure’) or by improving biodiversity

Question 6

What do natural fertilizers do for a vineyard? Name 2 natural fertilizers.

Answer 6

• Restore the natural balance of the vineyard

1. animal dung
2. natural calcium carbonate

Question 7

What do organic grape growers use to combat mildews?

Answer 7

Traditional remedies such as sulfur and copper sulfate

Question 8

What is a positive for using synthetic chemicals in the vineyard other traditional treatments?

Answer 8

• Synthetic chemical sprays are longer-lasting, require fewer sprays, reducing the need to use tractors in the vineyard
• Build-up of the heavy metal, copper, in the soil where frequent sprays are necessary

Question 9

Give an example of how organic grape growers make uses of natural predators and ecosystem mechanisms.

Answer 9

To defend against grey rot, the bacterium Bacillus subtilis can be introduced, which competes with Botrytis cinerea for space on the grape.

Question 10

What is sexual confusion and how is it used to limit pests in the vineyard?

Answer 10

Introduce pheromone tags or capsules to disrupt the mating patterns of insects such as moths and mealy bugs, and in this way, limit their populations.

Question 11

What do all organic certification bodies have to meet?

Answer 11

Standards set by IFOAM (International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements)

Question 12

What is one universal requirement for organic certification?

Answer 12

Vineyard must undergo a period of conversion working to organic standards before it can be certified

Question 13

What percentage of vineyards are farmed organically (certified or in conversion) in Europe?

Answer 13

10%

Question 14

What percent of organic viticulture in the world does Europe account for?

Answer 14

85%

Question 15

Where is the fast growth of organic farming? Why?

Answer 15

• Spain
• Castilla-La Mancha
• dry, hot climate makes for easier conversion

Question 16

What are the 6 largest markets in the world for organic wine?

Answer 16

1. France
2. Germany
3. USA
4. Italy
5. UK
6. Austria

Question 17

Name 3 advantages of organic grape growing.

Answer 17

1. Making the health & disease-resistance of the vine and the heath of the soil central aims of the grape grower
2. The reduction in the number of chemical treatments in the vineyard and the elimination of spraying synthetic chemicals
3. A saving on the cost of synthetic chemicals

Question 18

Name 4 disadvantages of organic grape growing.

Answer 18

1. A possible small reduction in yield generally
2. Possibility of significant reductions in yield in difficult years (e.g. long periods of rainfall or high humidity)
3. Increased reliance on copper sprays, which may in turn lead to the build-up of heavy metal in the soils
4. Cost and time expended on certification where this is sought