Viticulture

Question 1

Where does most vine growing occurs?

Answer 1

Between the 30 and 50 latitudes in the Northern and Southern hemispheres

Question 2

What is a macroclimate?

Answer 2

Climate of an entire wine region

Question 3

What is a mesoclimate?

Answer 3

Climate of a particular vineyard

Question 4

What is a microclimate?

Answer 4

Climate of a single row vines or even a specific wine

Question 5

What are the main characteristics of a continental climate?

Answer 5

Strong annual variation in temperature due to the lack of proximity to a significant bodies of water.
Hotter than maritime, often cold winters
Define as a cool climate

Question 6

What are the main characteristics of a maritime climate?

Answer 6

Influenced by a large body of water (sea or ocean)
Mild temperature that fluctuates year to year which causes vintage variation
Define as a moderate climate

Question 7

What are the main characteristics of a mediterranean climate?

Answer 7

Hot and dry summers (except immediate coastal areas)
Summers are mild along the coast
Define as a warm climate

Question 8

What are the main characteristics of a high desert climate?

Answer 8

Summers are hot and dry
High daytime temperature
Dramatic drops overnight (often)
Define as a hot climate

Question 9

What is the rain shadow effect?

Answer 9

Dry area on one side of a mountain opposite the wind, rain and generally poor weather.

Question 10

Name three wine region affected by rain shadows

Answer 10

Okanagan Valley, BC
Colchagua, Chili
Loire, France

Question 11

Name 3 important properties of various soil types

Answer 11

Drainage of water
Water retention
Sun reflection

Question 12

Name 8 soil types

Answer 12

Granite
Limestone/Chalk
Marl
Schist
Clay
Sand
Slit
Gravel

Question 13

How does the skin of the grape contribute to the wine?

Answer 13

Lend structure (tannins)
Color (provide an intensity and hue)
Flavor (unique to each variety)
Pulp (Sugar and acids decrease or increase as grapes ripen , seeds can produce bitter flavours when pressed

Question 14

What is vitas vinifera?

Answer 14

The most common species for quality grape production

Upwards of 10000 varieties

Question 15

How does cool climate influence the wine?

Answer 15

Grapes ripen slowly and moderately
Less sugar is produced
Acidity remains high
Less alcohol potential
Flavors are more tart and lean, less ripe and juicy

Question 16

How does warm climate influence the wine?

Answer 16

Grapes ripen fully
More sugar is produced
Acidity is lower
Higher alcohol potential
Flavors are more ripe, lush and juicy

Question 17

What is green harvest?

Answer 17

Dropping or cutting grape bunches off of the vine before harvest to focus the vine

Question 18

What is phylloxera?

Answer 18

a Vine louse that destroyed a third of the world’s vine beginning in the late 1800s.
one of the greatest threats to wine production in history

Question 19

Name three positive effects of wine in a vineyard

Answer 19

Cool a growing region
Lend warmth & drier air
Prevent mold