The Growing Environment

Question 1

What degrees of latitude to grapes grow between generally?

Answer 1

30° and 50° either side of the equator

Question 2

Why do large bodies of water impact nearby vineyards?

Answer 2

Water heats up and cools down more slowly than dry land
The warmth of the body of water keeps the local area warmer
Cooler summers, milder winters

Question 3

What can affect vineyard temperatures in coastal regions?

Answer 3

Ocean currents

Question 4

What causes El Niño?

Answer 4

When warm water in the pacific moves east along the equator towards the Carribean, the Eastern Pacific becomes warmer than average

Question 5

What happens in El Niño?

Answer 5

High levels of rainfall & risk of hurricanes i California and South America
Warmer temps & drier conditions to Washington & Oregon
Brings warmer temps & drought conditions to western side of Pacific (Australia)

Question 6

What causes La Niña?

Answer 6

When the eastern Pacific is cooler than average

Question 7

What is the effect of La Niña?

Answer 7

Drier, warmer conditions in California & South America
Cooler, wetter conditions in Washington & Oregon
Cooler, wetter conditions in western side of Pacific (Australia)

Question 8

What is the Zonda in Mendoza?

Answer 8

A warm air

Question 9

What does a wind that has travelled over hot land masses bring?

Answer 9

Warm air

Question 10

Why may you plant trees around a vineyard?

Answer 10

To protect from damaging winds

Question 11

Why would sandy soils be adventageous in a cool climate area?

Answer 11

Sandy soils are free draining and therefore heat up quicker than damp soils
Rising soil temperatures stimulate budburst and growth

Question 12

Why would light coloured soils be beneficial in cool & cloudy climates?

Answer 12

They reflect some energy from solar radiation, helping to increase photosynthesis & grale ripening in late ripening varieties

Question 13

What is dense mist?

Answer 13

Fog

Question 14

How might regular mist & fog be beneficial to a vineyard in a warm area

Answer 14

It can slow down sugar accumulation and acid degredation

Question 15

What is a diurnal range?

Answer 15

The difference between daytime & nighttime temperatures

Question 16

Why would a high diurnal range be favourable in a warm or hot climate area?

Answer 16

Cool nighttime temperatures can slow acid respiration
Can be beneficial for anthocyanin formation

Question 17

Why would a low diurnal range be favourable in cool or moderate climates?

Answer 17

Nighttime temperatures still allow ripening

Question 18

How much water does a vine need per year in a cool and warm region?

Answer 18

Cool - 500mm
Warm - 750mm

Question 19

What is transpiration?

Answer 19

Transpiration is when water vapour diffuses out of the stomata on the underside of the leaves. This loss of water causes water to be pulled upwards from the soil, through the roots and the above ground parts of the vine.

Question 20

Why are waterlogged soils harmful to the vine?

Answer 20

They reduce oxygen availability to the roots

Question 21

What is special about Albariza soil?

Answer 21

Albariza soil in Jerez has good water retention which releases slowly. It also forms a crust which reduces evaporation

Question 22

Why would a sloped vineyard be beneficial in a rainy area?

Answer 22

The water will run off and less will be absorbed by the soil

Question 23

What is evapotranspiration rate?

Answer 23

The amount of transpiration from the vine combined with the evaporation of water from the soils surface

Question 24

What effect does Nitrogen have on a vine?

Answer 24

It is a component of proteins and chlorophyll

Question 25

What will happen to a vine with a lack of Nitrogen?

Answer 25

Reduced vigour and yellowing leaves

Question 26

What is loam?

Answer 26

Soil type with moderate proportions of clay, sand and silt. May also have some larger rock fragments

Question 27

What is soil structure?

Answer 27

It describes how the mineral particles in the soil crumbs (aggregates)

Question 28

What is humus?

Answer 28

Organic matter in the soil formed by partial decomposition of plant + animal matter. Helps to bind soil together

Question 29

How are Growing Degrees Days calculated?

Answer 29

Subtract 10 from the mean temp of a month in the growing season. Multiply this by the number of days in that month. Make the same calculation for each month of growing season and add together to get GDD

Question 30

How many bands are there in the GDD model?

Answer 30

5 bands - Winkler zone I to V

Question 31

What does MJT stand for?

Answer 31

Mean January/July Temperature

Question 32

How are temperatures split up in MJT?

Answer 32

Into 6 bands to aid description from cold to very hot

Question 33

How is Growing Season Temperature calculated?

Answer 33

Uses the mean temperature of the whole growing season and then grouped into climatic bands from cold to hot

Question 34

Describe a Maritime climate

Answer 34

Low annual differences between summer and winter temperatures Rainfall relatively evenly spread throughout the whole year

Question 35

Describe a Mediterranean climate

Answer 35

Low annual differences between summer and winter temperatures Annual rainfall tends to fall in winter months, giving dry summers

Question 36

Describe a Continental climate

Answer 36

More extreme differences between summer and winter temperatures Often have short summers and cold winters with temperatures rapidly changing in spring + autumn

Question 37

What is a cool climate?

Answer 37

Average GST of 16.5°C

Question 38

What is a Moderate climate?

Answer 38

Average GST of 16.5°C to 18.5°C

Question 39

What is a warm climate?

Answer 39

Average GST of 18.5°C to 21°C

Question 40

What is a hot climate?

Answer 40

Average GST of over 21°C

Question 41

What is continentality?

Answer 41

The measure of the difference between annual mean temperatures of the hottest and coldest months

Question 42

What kind of regions have high continentality?

Answer 42

Regions that are far inland or protected from ocean influences

Question 43

What is weather?

Answer 43

The annual variation that happens relative to the climatic average

Question 44

What are the key features of Organic Viticulture?

Answer 44

Compost Natural Fertilisers Cover Crops Reduction of Monoculture

Question 45

Which rootstocks are tolerant of root-knot nematodes?

Answer 45

Ramsey and Dog Ridge (both vitis-champini)

Question 46

What rootstocks are tolerant of water logged soil?

Answer 46

Rootstocks based on V.riparia

Question 47

What rootstock is tolerant of soils with higher salt levels?

Answer 47

V.berlandieri (1103P)

Question 48

What rootstocks are a hybrid of V.rupestris and V.berlandieri?

Answer 48

110R and 140R

Question 49

Which rootstocks have a high tolerance to acidic soils?

Answer 49

99R +110R (Rupestris + Berlandieri hybrid)

Question 50

Which rootstocks can be tolerant of soils with high lime content (high pH)?

Answer 50

41B (Berlandieri)

Question 51

What are some low vigour rootstocks?

Answer 51

420A + 3309C (Riparia)

Question 52

What is a high vigour rootstock?

Answer 52

140R (Rupestris)