Intro

Question 1

What is the definition of a Somm and what is their job

Answer 1

Wine Steward. Elevate the dining experience. Become expert on the restaurant floor

Question 2

This model is based on FACTORS of PRODUCTION. What are some of these factors.

Answer 2

Historical background
• Location / Geography
• Climate
• Topography/ Aspect
• Soil
• Grape varieties planted
• Viticultural practices
• Harvest
• Yearly weather / Vintage variation
• Terroir
• Regional wine law

Question 3

What is viticulture

Answer 3

The art of vine growing

Question 4

What model should guide your critical thinking when it comes to factors of production and a finished product or bottle of wine

Answer 4

Cause and effect

Question 5

When looking at climate what do you consider

Answer 5

Macro (a whole region) Micro (a few rows) Latitude (30 degrees to 50 degrees in Northern and Southern hemispheres).

Question 6

What is the influence of regional wine laws

Answer 6

Type of grape grown, yields, vinification etc.

Question 7

How does cost impact vineyard selection

Answer 7

For example NapaValley is more expensive than an unproven area

Question 8

Can vines be grown in more extreme places than the recommended lattitude

Answer 8

Yes and and growing regions are changing due to global warming

Question 9

Natural factors that can threaten a vineyard

Answer 9

Frost, freeze, strong winds

Question 10

Moderating factors

Answer 10

BODIES OF WATER. Continental (hot summer cold winter), Maritime (mild temps near lakes-temps fluctuate annually), Mediterranean (summers hot dry except on coast), High Desert (day time temps high with dramatic drop overnight)

Question 11

Temperature definitions

Answer 11

Cool, moderate, warm, hot

Question 12

What is a diurnal shift and what does it affect.

Answer 12

Daytime and nighttime temperature difference affect Acidity and Sugar balance

Question 13

Sunshine hours

Answer 13

ANNUAL hours of sun a vineyard receives

Question 14

What is topography

Answer 14

Elevation positioning of vines (hillside-good drainage) or (valley floor-overly fertile). Rainshadow (protects vineyard from inclement weather and rain). Aspect (position it faces) proximity to water.

Question 15

Soil Types and effect of soils on grapes

Answer 15

i.e. granite, limestone, chalk, marl, schist, clay, sand, silt, gravel. Do soild types retain water, radiate heat, drain well?

Question 16

What does a grape contain

Answer 16

Pulp
Water
Sugar
Acids
Seeds/Pips

Tannins (structure and astringency)
Color (hue)
Flavor (flavor and aroma)