Chapter: Vineyard Management

Question 1

What are the main techniques applied in the vineyard to manage the vine:

Answer 1

• Training
• Pruning
• Trellising
• Planting density

Question 2

How long is a vineyard normally left fallow after vines are dug up?

Answer 2

3 years or more

Question 3

Name the microscopic worms that are a vineyard pest:

Answer 3

Nematodes

Question 4

What is a good control measure to protect ripe grapes from birds, in a vineyard:

Answer 4

Netting

Question 5

What is a Bordeaux mixture and why is it used:

Answer 5

It is a copper-based spray, used to treat Downy Mildew

Question 6

How has Powdery Mildew traditionally been treated:

Answer 6

Sulphur-based sprays

Question 7

Why are Sharpshooters damaging to the vine:

Answer 7

They infect vines with bacterial diseases, reducing grape quality and at worst killing the vine

Question 8

Biodynamic agriculture is based on the works of which 2 individuals:

Answer 8

• Rudolf Steiner
• Maria Thun

Question 9

What is Veraison:

Answer 9

The point at which ripening, grapes change colour

Question 10

Vine Training cab be broadly split into two categories, what are they:

Answer 10

1. Head Training
2. Cordon Training

Question 11

Why does Cordon Training take longer to establish:

Answer 11

The system requires a greater amount of permanent wood

Question 12

Bush- trained vines are better suited to what type of climate:

Answer 12

Warm or hot, dry and sunny

Question 13

What does VSP stand for:

Answer 13

Vertical Shoot Positioning

Question 14

Budburst generally occurs when the mean temperature exceeds what (degrees Celsius):

Answer 14

10 C ( 50 F)

Question 15

What can be done in continental climates during winter freeze to protect the vine:

Answer 15

Earth can be piled up around the base of the vine to offer protection

Question 16

In the Southern Hemisphere, during which two months does harvest usually take place:

Answer 16

March- April

Question 17

Dry conditions are preferred during harvest why?

Answer 17

Excess rain dilutes flavour and increases risk of rot

Question 18

Fruit set to Veraison generally takes now many weeks:

Answer 18

6 - 8 weeks

Question 19

Why do some producers summer-prune:

Answer 19

To remove excess foliage and ensure the canopy remains open

Question 20

Are man- made chemicals prohibited in sustainable agriculture:

Answer 20

No, but use is restricted

Question 21

What fungal disease appears as yellow spots on the upper side of leaves or furry grey patches on the underside:

Answer 21

Downy Mildew

Question 22

What fungal disease appears as a grey-white powdery coating that can affect all the green parts of the vine, including the leaves and grapes:

Answer 22

Powdery Mildew

Question 23

What is the main aim of winter-pruning:

Answer 23

To determine the number and location of the buds that will form shoots in the coming growing season

Question 24

What are the two styles of winter pruning called:

Answer 24

• Spur pruning
• Replacement Cane Pruning

Question 25

Replacement Cane Pruning is most often seen with what kind of vine training method:

Answer 25

Head Training

Question 26

Summer pruning involves leat stripping so that bunches of grapes see what benefit:

Answer 26

Optimum exposure to sunshine

Question 27

The vine’s canopy is made up of what:

Answer 27

All the green parts of the vine

Question 28

Planting density in a vineyard is typically expressed how?

Answer 28

Vines per hectare

Question 29

What is one very important set of criteria that can determine planting density:

Answer 29

The availability of nutrients and water

Question 30

What are two advantages of machine harvesting:

Answer 30

1. Speed 2. Can work at night, bringing in grapes when they are cool

Question 31

What are two disadvantages of machine harvesting:

Answer 31

1. Can only be used on flat or gently sloping land 2. Not selective, unsuitable material might be collected Or 3. Cannot be used to pick grapes for styles requiring whole bunches

Question 32

When might hand-picking grapes be essential:

Answer 32

- When picking grapes affected by noble rot, where the onset and degree of rot varies from bunch to bunch and berry to berry, and careful selection is required - Hand harvesting may also be the only option on very steep vineyards