General

Question 1

What are the main effects of high altitude?

Answer 1

• lower average temperature (approx. 0,6°C per 100m)

	•	cooler local climate, creating
	⁃	higher acidity
	⁃	lower alcohol level due to lower sugar concentration
	⁃	slower ripening
	⁃	shorter growing season

•	increased sunlight intensity due to thinner air and less cloud cover

•	increased diurnal range (thinner air is not able to retain heat)
⁃	helps acid retention
⁃	enhances fruit aromas

* increased risk of hail
* California: temperature inversion

Question 2

What are the effects of water stress?

Answer 2

• reduced photosynthesis
  
  • reduced cell division and expansion
  • limits the growth of the vine
  • should be avoided during flowering and fruit-set -> can lead to total fruit loss
  • beneficial during ripening: increase sugar, flavours, soluble solids, decrease acidity

Question 3

Irrigation …

Answer 3

• influences vine water status
  
  • influences canopy size
  • vineyard homogenity
  • grape yield
  • careful manipulation can lead to optimum crop results
  • efficient irrigation can help to keep the soil moisture high enough to avoid water stress whilst low enough to avoid logging and excess drainage
  • irrigation should replace an adequate percentage of evapotranspiration loss
  • amount of irrigation lets winegrowers choose between maximum yield of lower quality grapes or reduced yield of higher quality grapes
  • crop water use determined by meteorological factors: radiation, temperature, vapour pressure deficit, wind speed
  • crop factors: stomatal response, leaf morphology, vine architecture, rootstock, crop load, trellis type and cultivar (grape variety)
  • other factors: soil water content, soil water holding capacity, root distribution and density, minimum leaching requirements

Question 4

Definition of “Terroir”

Answer 4

Terroir is all the natural elements creating the environment for the vine:

• soil (geologic origins, hydrology)
• topography (altitude, slope, aspect)
• regional climate (altitude, temperature, sunlight)
• site climate (affected by lakes, rivers, hills)
• Local production traditions that are an integral part of the way a vine expresses its origin

Question 5

Concept: Grape variety questions

Answer 5

• names including synonyms
• colour
• qualities
• ** skin thickness
• ** tannins
• ** acidity
• ** flavours
• vineyard activities
• ** benefits of different soil types
• ** why
• ** disease risks
• ** disease management strategies
• ** pruning and canopy management techniques
• ** why
• Winery activities
• ** why is it suitable for a given style
• ** how it responds to different techniques
• Location
• ** where is it grown
• Examples from around the world

Question 6

Concept: Producer questions

Answer 6

• History
• pioneered a certain style of wine?
• Key wines & brands
• Key markets; domestic & export; trends
• outposts in other countries
• recent development
• current issues
• future plans and challenges

Question 7

Concept: Process questions - Vineyard

Answer 7

• climate & weather (associated advantages + risks)
• soils (what are their key qualities and why are these features important?)
• topography (e.g. altitude)
• pruning techniques (advantages + disadvantages)
• harvesting methods (advantages + disadvantages)
• practical considerations (need for equipment and labour)
• cost implications (how any of the above has an impact on the bottom line)

How do the above mentioned influence

• final style
• quality
• price

Question 8

Concept: Process questions - Winery

Answer 8

• post-harvest handling (issues faced; grower vs. producer)
• pressing techniques (why this is important)
• first fermentation (type of vessel, temperature, yeast)
• Use or prevention of malolactic fermentation (influence on the wine style)
• the role of blending
• second fermentation (type of vessel, temperature, yeast)
• lees ageing (bottle or tank, length of time, temperature, what effect has this?)
• use of dosage and influence on finished wine
• Ageing (or not) before release and effect on finished wine