Viticulture

Question 1

What is the difference between climate and weather

Answer 1

Climate is a regions expected daily average level of temperature, sunlight, warmth, and rainfall over time

Weather is day-to-day

Question 2

Between what two latitudes both above and below the equator are a majority of the world’s vineyards found

Answer 2

30-50 degrees

Question 3

Define Macroclimate

Answer 3

The climate of a region (ex. Burgundy, Alsace)

Question 4

Define Mesoclimate

Answer 4

The climate of a village, cluster of vineyards

Question 5

Define Microclimate

Answer 5

The climate of a single vineyard of single cluster of vines

Question 6

What are the four major climates of winegrowing regions

Answer 6

Continental
Maritime
Mediterranean
High Desert

Question 7

Define continental climate

Answer 7

Climate extremes, often hot summers and cold winters, usually located farther inland

Question 7

Define continental climate

Answer 7

Climate extremes, often hot summers and cold winters, usually located farther inland

Question 8

Define maritime climate

Answer 8

Largely influenced by large bodies of water, with warm summers, mild winters, and year-round rainfall

Question 9

Define Mediterranean climate

Answer 9

Warm dry summers and cool winters, usually near coastlines

Question 10

Define High Desert climate

Answer 10

Hot and arid, with cold nights and low rainfall

Question 11

What other descriptions can be used to further characterize the 4 major climate types

Answer 11

Cool
Moderate
Warm
Hot
Tropical
Humid

Question 12

Define diurnal shift

Answer 12

The change in daytime temperatures to lower nighttime temperatures

Question 13

What affect does large diurnal shifts have on grapes

Answer 13

The grapes will ripen more slowly

Question 14

How can hail affect a vineyard

Answer 14

-Tearing leaves, impacting their ability to photosynthesize
-Destroying berries, decreasing crop yield
-Damaging the vines with small wounds making them vulnerable to disease

Question 15

How can frost affect vines

Answer 15

-Delaying budding and flowering
-Can freeze and kill
-Can decrease the annual yield

Question 16

At what point in the vine’s annual cycle is frost most dangerous

Answer 16

During budburst

Question 17

How do strong vineyards affect vineyards

Answer 17

-Uproot vines
-Blow over vines
-Damage parts of vines

Question 18

What are 2 geographical climate moderators

Answer 18

Bodies of water
Mountains

Question 19

What constitutes a body of water

Answer 19

Lakes
Rivers
Seas
Oceans

Question 20

What affects can mountains have on vineyards

Answer 20

-Provide a rain shadow
-Provide higher elevation to plant at
-Alpine winds can moderate climates

Question 21

Give 2 examples of rain shadows

Answer 21

The Vosges Mountains in Alsace
The Andres Mountains to Mendoza

Question 22

Temperature drops by one degree for every ____ meter gain in elevation

Answer 22

100 meters

Question 23

Where are higher altitude vineyards typically found

Answer 23

In warmer/hotter regions to provide cooler temperatures

Question 24

Why are valley floors more susceptible to frost than mountains?

Answer 24

Because cool air collects and stays stagnant on valley floors. Hillsides experience more air flow, thereby decreasing frost risk.

Question 25

Name the three major components of a grape

Answer 25

Skins Seeds Pulp

Question 26

What characteristics do skins add to a wine

Answer 26

Tannin Color Flavor/aroma

Question 27

What do seeds add to a wine

Answer 27

Bitterness

Question 28

What species are most wines of the world made from

Answer 28

Vitis vinifera

Question 29

What are two other species of vine used for the production of wine

Answer 29

Vitis Labrusca Vitis Riparia

Question 30

What is a hybrid grape

Answer 30

A grape made from 2 or more different species to create a new variety

Question 31

What is a grape cross

Answer 31

When vines of the same species are combined to create a new variety Example: Cab Franc x Sauvignon Blanc created Cabernet Sauvignon

Question 32

What is a grape clone

Answer 32

Identical reproductions of a vine to propagate specific traits

Question 33

What is phylloxera

Answer 33

A louse native to North America that attacks vine roots and ultimately kills vines

Question 34

Define Passerillage

Answer 34

Exposure of cut bunches of grapes to sunlight to increase the concentration of sugars in the grapes prior to winemaking

Question 35

Define Veraison

Answer 35

The onset of ripening of the grape clusters (When the grapes begin to change color on the vines)