Ch4-Viticulture Flashcards
(112 cards)
1
Q
What is viticulture?
A
Branch of agriculture that deals with cultivation of grapevines
2
Q
What are the 3 main parts of a grape vine?
A
trunk, root system, 2 arms/branches
3
Q
What is the development of the arms of a vine?
A
start as spurs, become canes. If not pruned, become thicker arms called cordons.
4
Q
What is a cordon?
A
Thick arms / canes on a vine; new canes grow from it.
5
Q
What is a canopy?
A
The entire portion of the vine including the fruit.
6
Q
What is the function of grape skin / pulp?
A
To protect the seeds from damage until they mature.
7
Q
What are the 2 methods of grape vine propogation?
A
Cloning - cut off cane, place in water to grow roots then plant. Field grafting - insert a cutting from a plant into a trunk.
8
Q
What is the benefit of field grafting?
A
Keep the rootstock that is fully established and use desireable cuttings from somewhere else.
9
Q
When can grapes be used for wine, after how many seasons?
A
third year (crop) although 6 is more desirable
10
Q
What is the lifespan of a vine?
A
Vine vigor declines after 20 years; the quality of grapes continues to improve.
11
Q
What is an old vine wine?
A
Not a regulated term; many are 50 years or older
12
Q
What are the critical phases in annual growth cycle (6)?
A
Bud Break, Flowering, Berry Set, Veraison, Harvest, Dormancy
13
Q
What is bud break?
A
When the tiny shoots, buds, emerge from nodes in the vine branches. Occurs with temperatures above 50 F or 10C.
14
Q
Why is bud break a ‘hazardous time’?
A
Buds are vulnerable to temperature extremes. Frost can cause serious damage.
15
Q
When does flowering occur?
A
40 - 80 days after bud break.
16
Q
What is flowering?
A
Clusters of flower appear along the shoots. Each flower becomes a grape.
17
Q
How do vinifera vines pollenate?
A
Self pollenating; breeze carries pollen from one plant to another.
18
Q
What is the ideal weather during flowering?
A
Warm and dry. Rain and wind can prevent pollen from reaching the flowers.
19
Q
What is fruit set?
A
Transition from flower to berries.
20
Q
What is coulure?
A
Poor fruit set. Flowers do not become berries.
21
Q
What is millerandage?
A
Abnormal fruit set. Bunches have some small berries mixed in with normal berries.
22
Q
What is veraison?
A
Grapes begin to soften, expand and change color.
23
Q
What is going on with grapes once veraison occurs?
A
Sugar stored in fruit, acid level falling, seeds develop.
24
Q
When does harvesting take place?
A
1.5 - 2 months after veraison
25
What is physiological maturity?
Level of phenolic compounds in the grap
26
What 2 things need to happen for harvest to occur?
grapes need to be ripe - sugar level and physiological maturity
27
What is the time from bud break to harvest?
140 - 160 days; can be as short as 110 or as long as 200
28
What happens to the vine during dormancy?
leaves drop, sap goes from branches and shoots into the trunk and roots
29
What is photosynthesis?
Sunlight is used to convert carbon dioxide into water & sugar. Green parts of plant do this (chloraphill)
30
What is needed for photosynthesis to occur?
sunshine and the right temperature
31
Wgat temperature is needed for photosynthesis to occur?
50 - 95 F; ideal is 70 - 85%
32
What are the 5 ideal conditions for photosynthesis?
warm days, long days, clear days, minimal shading, sothern aspect
33
What is respiration?
plant breaks down sugar and carbohydrates to release energy for leaf and root growth.
34
How does acid level in grapes lower & when?
When respiration starts metabolizing malic acid for energy instead of sugar. This happens during veraison.
35
When does respiration occur?
Throughout the growing season
36
What is the effect of temperature on respiration?
For every 18 degree F increase, respiriation doubles.
37
What are the best conditions for grapes rich in sugar and have good natural acidity?
Cloudless days, cool nights, vineyard slopes down toward sun. Large diurnal shift.
38
What is transpiration?
water evaporating through openings on the underside of the leaves (stomata)
39
What is the negative effect of transpiration stopping?
Stomata will close which will also stop the intake of CO2 and stop photosynthesis
40
What is translocation?
Materials moved from one area of the plant to another i.e. sugar moving into the grapes.
41
What is terroir?
Combined natural aspects of a vineyard including climate, soil, sunlight, water
42
What is climate?
Historical average weather of a place
43
What is weather?
The actual meterological conditions experienced.
44
What is the biggest factor in vintage variation?
weather
45
What is a microclimate?
typical weather of a small area - single vine or portion of a row
46
What is a mesoclimate?
typical weather of a vineyard
47
What is a macroclimate?
typical weather of an overall region
48
How is temperature in vineyard important?
has a great effect on sugar-acid balance in grapes
49
How much water does a vine need annually?
20 - 30 inches
50
Why is rain unwanted during harvest?
swells the berries and dilutes the sugar
51
When is hail the biggest risk?
If it occurs after veraison
52
Why is humidity bad?
Promotes fungus and mold
53
What is the effect of fog in a vineyard?
Reduces temperature and sunlight in vineyard. Raises humidity.
54
What are the negative effects of wind?
Interferes with pollination, puts strain on vines
55
What are the positive effects of wind?
Reduces humidity and pests
56
Commonalities between soils where fines are planted (2)
Not very fertile; regulate the supply of water.
57
Why is less fertile soil good for grapes.
Vine produces less vegetation and fewer grapes resulting in higher quality
58
What are the properties of clay
fine particles fit tightly together; difficult for water to pass through
59
What are the properties of silt
particles of intermediate size
60
What are the properties of sand
coarse particles with littler water retention capabilities
61
What are the properties of rocks & stone
large pieces of inorganix matter, roots must pass around to get water / nutrients.
62
What is latitude's effect on climate?
Lower latitude - closer to equator - hotter climate. Higher latitude - longer summer days, cool nights, shorter growing season.
63
What is the effect of higher elevation on climate?
Cooler, windier, less fog, longer diurnal temperature swing, higher up, sunlight is more intense.
64
What is topography?
The way a vineyard is contoured
65
What are the effects of topography on hillside vineyards?
Less frost, hard to work if steep
66
What is the effect of aspect on vines?
Northern hemisphere: South facing vines get the most sun; can be good in cooler regions
67
What is the effect of bodies of water on vineyards?
Less temperature variation; diurnal temperature range is less, summer and winters are mild
68
What is a maritime climate?
Influenced by ocean; high rainfall; mild temperatures
69
What is a continental climate??
Hot summers, cold winters, no oceanic effects
70
What is a mediterranean climate?
Warm, dry summer, mild wet winter, low humidity caused by planetary scale air mass circulations.
71
What is a marginal climate?
Cool area or short summer that grapes are barely able to achieve ripeness before winter.
72
What is a viral disease?
One that is spread by propagating infected vine cuttings.
73
What is a bacterial disease?
Disease spread by insects / animals that carry the microbes.
74
What is a fungal disease?
Disease spread by airborne spores. Problem mostly in warm / humid conditions.
75
What is Pierce's disease?
Bacterialogical contamination of host vine resulting in premature leaf fall.
76
How is Pierce's disease spread?
Glassy winged sharp shooter. They feed on an infected vine and then a healthy one which becomes infected.
77
How does a farmer deal with fungal disease?
Sulfur or commercial fungicide sprayed on vines.
78
Name 2 damaging fungal diseases for grapes.
Powerdy mildew (oidium) and downey mildew (peronospora)
79
What are 4 other names for botrytis cinerea?
Noble rot, pourriture noble, edelfaule, gray mold
80
What varieties benefit from botrytis cinerea?
semillon, riesling, chenin blanc
81
What is the best climate for botrytis?
morning fog, afternoon sun
82
How does botrytis effect the grapes?
sends filaments through the skin, extracts wayer, concentrates sugars, adds aroma of honeysuckle
83
What is pholloxera?
A tiny louse that eats on the roots of grapes
84
How do you treat phylloxera infested vines?
You can't; they need to be destroyed.
85
How do you prevent phylloxera?
Graft vines on to resistant root stock (American vines)
86
What is a nematode?
Microscopic roundworm that feeds on vine roots
87
Name 2 options to avoid nematodes.
Nematode resistant rootstock or using cover crops like mustard.
88
What does a grape grower do in a vineyard during winter?
Pruning the vines - remove excess foliage & branches
89
What is cane pruning?
Grower allos 1 or 2 year old shoots (canes) to remain; each cane has 6 - 10 nodes or buds
90
What is spur pruning?
Several canes are left but trimmed to be a few inches long; each cane has 1 - 2 nodes / buds.
91
What is a training system?
Technique that alters the position or number of shoots and grape clusters.
92
What is a trellis?
A network of stakes, posts, support wires that position a vine as desired by a grower
93
What is head or bush training?
No trellis used; vine grows like a bush; it is a type of spur pruining
94
What is guyot training?
Cane prunded system. One cane from each vine is trained along a wire
95
What is cordon training?
Same as guyot but spur pruned. Branches become woody like the vine trunk
96
What is a pergola?
Overhead vines with fruit hanging down
97
What is vertical shoot positioning (VSP)?
New canes trained upwards braced by additional wires.
98
How is sugar measured?
Brix
99
What tool is used to measure sugar levels?
refractometer or hydrometer
100
What is the conversion factor for sugar to alcohol?
5/9 or 55%
101
Name 3 non-US measuring scales to anticipate final alcohol levels.
Baume, France; Oechsle, Germany and Switzerland; Klosten=rneuburger Mostwaage (KMW), Austria
102
What is the calculation for Oechsle?
(density of grape must - 1.0)*1000. 68 = 9%potential alcohol
103
What is organic viticulture?
grape growning without using manufactured fertilizers or pesticides
104
How does a grower get recognized as an organic grower?
Obtain cerificiation from a certifying body
105
Who defines the criteria to be an organic grower in the US?
USDAs National Organic Program (NOP)
106
What is integrated pest management?
targeted approach to dealing with pests in a vineyard. Only eliminate pests that are present and causing damage.
107
What is biodynamic viticulture?
Organic viticulture with addition on metaphysical elements and a few mandatory procedures.
108
Who developed the philosophy of biodynamics?
Rudolf Steiner in early 20th century
109
What is the belief of biodynamic growers?
All parts of the universe are connected as an ecosystem. Alignment of planets / moon phases should direct when work is done in the vineyard.
110
Who does biodynamic certifications?
Demeter International
111
What is the premise of sustainable viticulture?
Leave land in better condition than when you started. Include all environmental factors i.e. global warming, green house gases, water usage.
112
Name 3 organizations / programs spearheading sustainable viticulture.
Napa Green, Napa Valley Vineyards; Vine Balance, NY; Lodi Rules, Lodi Wine Commission
