Viticulture Flashcards
(215 cards)
1
Q
Portion of the vine that includes leaves, branches, and fruit
A
Canopy
2
Q
The vine’s branches, while they are young and pliable
A
Canes
3
Q
Inserting an unrooted cutting into the trunk of an existing vine
A
Field Grafting
4
Q
Vines begin to decline at this age
A
20 (twenty years)
5
Q
Ideal latitudes for commercial viticulture
A
30 to 50 degrees
6
Q
Minimum temperature required to begin the emergence of new greenery in the spring
A
50F/10C
7
Q
Sap flowing upward from the trunk out to the canes (before the emergence of new greenery)
A
Weeping
8
Q
At the beginning of the growth cycle of the vine – tiny shoots emerge
A
Bud Break
9
Q
Transition from flower to berry
A
Fruit set (Berry set)
10
Q
Condition in which many flowers do not develop into grapes
A
Coulure (Shatter)
11
Q
Abnormality resulting in many small, seedless berries in the grape bunches
A
Millerandage
12
Q
The beginning of ripening
A
Veraison
13
Q
Typical time period from bud break to harvest
A
140 to 160 days
14
Q
Process by which the vine produces sugar
A
Photosynthesis
15
Q
Process by which the vine uses energy
A
Respiration
16
Q
Process in which water evaporates through openings in the vine’s leaves
A
Transpiration
17
Q
Process by which materials are moved from one area of the plant to another
A
Translocation
18
Q
French term for the combined natural factors of a vineyard site
A
Terroir
19
Q
Bacterial disease spread via glassy winged sharpshooter
A
Pierce’s Disease
20
Q
Fungal disease also known as oidium
A
Powdery Mildew
21
Q
Fungal disease also known as peronospora
A
Downy Mildew
22
Q
Root-eating louse of great threats to vineyards
A
Phylloxera
23
Q
Vine-training system that does not use supports nor trellises
A
Head training (Bush training)
24
Q
Cane-prune vine-training system that uses one cane from each vine
A
Single Guyot
25
Vine-training system that guides vines up a tall support
Pergola
26
Spur-pruned vine-training system where the branches are spread out from the vine along trellis wires
Cordon
27
VSP
Vertical shoot positioning
28
How much land do grapevines cover?
19 million acres or 7.7 million ha
29
How many tons of grapes are produced annually?
70 million
30
How much of the total grape production of the world goes into wine?
70%
31
Viticulture vs Winegrowing
Viticulture refers to cultivating grapevines generallyWinegrowing is the terminology when that cultivation is intended for winemaking as opposed to table grapes
32
Arms
Main branches of the vine
33
Spur
Shortened stub of a grapevine cane created via pruning
34
Cane
A one-year-old grapevine branch that will support new growth in the current year
35
Cordon
1) An arm of branch of a grapevine, from which fruit-producing shoots grow
2) The wire of a trellis on which a vine cordon is trained
36
Canopy
Upper part of a grapevine during the growing season, comprising most of the leaves, shoots, and fruit
37
When are grapes said to be rip?
When the pulp is near its maximum sweetness and the seeds are mature
38
Why is grafting/cloning preferred over cultivation from the seed?
Seed growing is less predictable as you don't know genetically what traits it holds, and takes a significantly longer time and has a high failure rate
39
Cloning
Method of grapevine propagation where a healthy grapevine is selected, a short length of young cane is cut, placed in water until it grows roots, and then placed in the vineyard
40
Field grafting
Process of removing the existing branches of a rootstock, making a small incision in the trunk, and inserting an unrooted cutting from a desirable vine
41
Benefit of Field Grafting over Cloning?
Grapevine will have access to an already extensive root network
42
How many years before a grapevine is considered viable and grapes are harvested for wine?
3 years or Third Leaf
43
How many years before fruit is considered at optimal quality level?
6 years
44
How many years will a vine produce at this optimal quality level?
10 years or more
45
Why are the grapes removed from the vine prior to the third year and not harvested?
The grapes are considered substandard, and this allows the vine to focus on trunk and shoot development
46
Is the term old vines regulated?
No -- although generally vines are at least 20 years old
47
At what temperature does weeping occur?
Over 50F (10C)
48
Weeping
When sap beigns to flow upward from the trunk and out to the tips of the canes
49
How long does weeping last?
1-2 days
50
Bud Break
Emergence of tiny shoots (buds) from the nodes in the vine's brances
51
Why is bud break a hazardous time?
The new growth is vulnerable to temperature extremes, and a late frost can do serious damage
This is especially true of cooler climates
52
When does photosynthesis begin on the vine?
With the development of leaves, up until then the vine relies on carbohydrate stores
53
Leaf Growth
Formation of leaves as the shoots grow and strengthen; vine transitions to photosynthesis for energy and growth is accelerated
54
Flowering
Appearance of tiny flowers at intervals along the shoots
55
How many days after bud break is flowering?
40 to 80 days
56
What is required for pollination of vinifera vines?
Vinifera are self-pollinating so pollen is blown from one part of the plant to another by a breeze
57
What does each flower on the vine become?
A grape
58
What type of weather is ideal during flowering?
Warm, dry weather
Rainy or windy weather can prevent the pollen from reaching its destination resulting in fewer viable grapes
59
Berry set/Fruit set
Transition from flower to berry
60
Coulure
(Shatter)
Failure of flowers to become fully developed berries
61
What sometimes causes millerandage?
bad weather during flowering
62
How long before grapes reach their full diameter?
around 3 months
63
How long after grapes reach their full size is veraison achieved?
About a month and a half
64
Veraison
Beginning of maturation/ripeness of the grape
65
How does the appearance of a grape change during veraison?
Red grapes begin to take on color
White grapes remain green but become translucent or golden
66
How long after veraison does harvest occur?
1.5 months to 2 months
67
When does harvest occur?
When grapes are ripe in terms of both sugar levels and physiological maturity
68
Physiological maturity
Level of phenolic compounds in the grape, including tannins and other compounds that enhance the color, flavor, and aromas of the resulting wine
69
_______ takes about the same amount of time each year, while ___________ can be sped up or slowed down by summer weather.
Physiological maturity; Sugar ripeness
70
How many days is the time period from bud break to harvest?
Between 140 to 160 days although it can be as little as 110 or as many as 200
71
What happens when the vine goes into dormancy?
Vine drops leaves, withdraws sap from branches and shoots, moving it into the trunk and roots where there is less of a chance of injury from freezing
72
What happens after dormancy?
Winter Pruning
73
Photosynthesis
process in which sunlight is used by the chlorophyll-containing green parts of the plant (primarily the leaves) to convert carbon dioxide and water into sugar
74
What two things does photosynthesis depend on?
Temperature and Sunshine
75
At what temperatures does photosynthesis slow?
Less than 50F (10C)
| Greater than 95F (35C)
76
What are the conditions for ultimate sugar production?
Sunny days with temperatures between 70F and 85F (20-30C)
77
Ideal Conditions for Photosynthesis
```
Warm days
Long days
Clear days
Minimal Shading
Southern aspect (or Northern aspect in the Southern Hemisphere)
```
78
Why are long days an ideal condition for Photosynthesis?
As photosynthesis can only occur when the sun is shining, the more hours of daylight the more sunlight produced
79
What places have longer days during the summertime?
Those further from the equator
80
How do cloudy/foggy days affect photosynthesis?
As they block the sunlight, sugar production is reduced
81
Are leaves not in direct sunlight able to perform photosynthesis?
No, which is why minimal shading is beneficial
82
Why is the aspect of the vineyard important in regions far from the equator?
The suns rays arrive at a lower angle
83
Why is a Southern aspect beneficial?
It positions the vineyard to face the sun
84
Respiration
process by which the plant breaks down sugar and related carbohydrates, releasing their energy for use by the plant for activities such as root and leaf growth
85
During veraison and when sugar is unavailable what does the vine metabolize for energy?
Malic Acid (as well as trace amounts of other compounds)
86
What happens if the vine consumes too much of the malic acid?
the wine's flavor may be affected or other problems may occur
87
What is the rate of respiration affected by?
Temperature
88
For every _____ increase in temperature, the rate of respiration ______.
18F; Doubles
89
Why are cool nights beneficial during the grower season?
The warmer it is the faster the vine will use acid for energy, cooler nights minimize the loss of acid during a time when photosynthesis is not taking place.
90
What are the best conditions for producing grapes that are rich in sugar and still maintain a significant amount of natural acidity?
Warm, not hot cloudless days and cool nights in a well-groomed vineyard that slopes downward facing the sun
91
Transpiration
Process by which water evaporates through the openings on the underside of the leaves
92
Stomata
Openings on the underside of the leaves
93
Transpiration is to plants what ______ is to animals?
Perspiration; Transpiration serves to cool the vine
94
At what conditions is transpiration the highest?
Sunny, hot, windy, and dry conditions
95
At what conditions is transpiration the lowest?
Cloudy, cool, still, and humid conditions
96
Why is it important that a grapevine have enough water for transpiration?
The stomata will close if there is not enough water to conduct transpiration, and these same openings control the intake of carbon dioxide.
If Transpiration is shutdown, Photosynthesis stops
97
Translocation
process by which materials are moved from one are of the plant to another
98
Where are sugars made?
In the leaves
99
Where are sugars moved to in the vine?
(For Energy) Growing shoot tips, roots, or trunk
| (Otherwise) To the grape clusters, or for storage in the woody portions of the trunk and root system for future use
100
What is the most changeable and uncontrollable of the variables that go into making a wine?
Weather
101
What is the difference between weather and climate?
Weather is the actual meteorological conditions experienced while climate is the historical average weather of a place
102
Macroclimate
Climate conditions of the overall region
103
Mesoclimate
Climate conditions of a specific portion of the region (such as an entire vineyard)
104
Microclimate
Climate of a small portion of a vineyard, such as a few rows
105
Canopy Microclimate
Climate within and directly surrounding a single vine's canopy (or, at most, a small section of a single row)
106
Different sizes of climate in order from smallest to biggest
Canopy Microclimate
Microclimate
Mesoclimate
Macroclimate
107
Why are the distinctions between micro and mesoclimate important?
These small differences can account for siginificant differences in the resulting fruit
108
What does temperature have an effect on?
Sugar acid balance
109
How many inches of water do vines need annually?
20-30 inches (51-76cm)
110
Why is rain unwelcome during harvest?
The water swells the berries and dilutes their sugar content
111
_______ can wipe out an entire crop if it strikes a vineyard after veraison.
Hail
112
Why is humidity dangerous to a vineyard?
It makes for perfect conditions for the growth of fungus and mold
113
What can create the ideal conditions for Botrytis cinerea?
Fog
114
In what climates is fog beneficial?
Hot as they reduce temperature and sunlight in the vineyard
115
How does wind negatively impact a vineyard?
Interfering with the flowering and pollination process
| Putting strain on the vine (which is why windbreaks are used)
116
How does wind positively effect a vineyard?
Reducing humidity and pest concerns
117
2 attributes of the best soils
Not very fertile
| Able to regulate water supply with good drainage
118
How is a soil type defined?
The sizes of particles it contains and the composition of those particles
119
Clay
Very fine particles that fit together so tightly that water has difficulty passing through
120
Silt
Particles of intermediate size
121
Sand
Coarse particles with relatively little water retention capability
122
Gravel
Larger pieces of solid inorganic matter; essentially, inert obstacles that roots must pass around, or sometimes through to reach water and nutrients
123
Soil types in order from biggest particle size to smallest.
Gravel
Sand
Silt
Clay
124
Compounds found in soil
```
Minerals (such as quartz, feldspar, or calcium carbonate)
Organic matter (decomposed plant and animal materials)
```
125
A ______ latitude (one closer to the equator) translates into a _______ climate.
lower; hotter
126
What is the benefit of higher latitudes?
Longer summer days and cooler nights
127
What is the negative of higher latitudes?
Shorter growing season and possibly dangerous frosts and freezes
128
Benefits of higher altitude vineyards.
Cooler & windier
Less fog
Larger diurnal temperature swings
Sunlight is more intense, encouraging photosynthesis
129
Pro/Con of hillside vineyards
Pro - Fewer problems with frost
| Con - Harder to work if they are steep
130
Pro/Con of flatter vineyards
Pro - Easily harvested mechanically or otherwise
| Con - Can be overly fertile
131
What can rolling topography create?
A patchwork of low areas that collect too much water and higher areas that are always dry
132
Where is a southern aspect not always ideal?
In hotter climates
133
What aspect gets the most sun exposure in the Southern Hemisphere?
North-facing slopes
134
Water tends to change temperature ________ than soil.
More slowly
135
As a body of water gets larger it is what?
More resistant to temperature change
136
Why is proximity to a body of water beneficial to a vineyard?
Less temperature variation as the body of water acts as a moderating influence in that:
Diurnal temperature range is less
Summers are not as hot
Winters are milder
137
How is proximity to a body of a water detrimental to a vineyard?
They provide a source of humidity which can create morning or evening fogs, greater cloud cover, rain, or fungus-encouraging dampness
138
Maritime Climate
Strongly influenced by an ocean and have high rainfall and mild temperatures overall
139
Continental Climates
Found in areas far from oceanic effects, they have hotter summers and colder winters -- sometimes extreme in both directions -- and they may have less precipitation
140
Mediterranean Climate
Typically found within the temperate latitudes, are characterized by warm, dry summers, mild, wet winters, and low humidity
141
What are Mediterranean climate zones associated with?
High-pressure atmospheric cells found over many of the world's large oceans that pull rain toward the region during the winter while keeping the areas warm and dry during the summer
142
Marginal Climate
An Area that has such cool temperatures or such a short summer growing season that grapes are just barely able to achieve enough ripeness for harvesting before autumn frosts arrive
143
What are grapevine diseases caused by?
Viruses
Bacteria
Fungi
144
How are viral diseases spread?
By propagating infected vine cuttings
145
How is the spread of viral diseases prevented?
By avoiding introducing them to new vineyard plantings or grafted vines
146
How are bacterial diseases spread?
By insects and animals that carry the microbes
147
Pierce's Disease
Bacteriological contamination of the host vine resulting in premature leaf fall
148
What spread Pierce's Disease
Several types of sharpshooter insects, specifically glassy-winged sharpshooters
149
How do insects impact bacterial diseases?
They can spread them if they feed on a contaminated vine and then a healthy one
150
How is the spread of a bacterial diseases limited?
Control of the carriers, such as the sharpshooters for Pierce's Disease
151
How are fungal diseases spread?
Airborne spores
152
Where are fungal diseases most problematic?
Warm, humid conditions, which are ideal for the growth and spread of the fungus
153
How are fungal diseases prevented/combatted?
Sulfur or a commercial fungicide sprayed on the vines
154
Two of the most damaging fungal diseases
Powdery Mildew
| Downy Mildew
155
Oidium
Powdery Mildew
156
Peronospora
Downy Mildew
157
Two alternate names for Botrytis cinerea?
Noble Rot - When Good
| Gray Mold - When Bad
158
When can Botrytis cinerea have a detrimental effect on grapes?
When it is introduced prior to the grapes reaching ripeness
159
French name for Botrytis
pourriture noble
160
German name for Botrytis
Edelfaule
161
What does Botrytis do to the grapes?
It sends its filaments through the skin of the grape to tap into the juice, and extracts water from inside the berries
162
How does Botrytis positively affect the grapes, and the resulting wine?
By concentrating the grapes' sugars and flavors and imparting its own aroma, which has been described as being similar to honeysuckle
163
Best Climatic conditions for Botrytis
```
Morning fog (humid environment)
Afternoon sun (prevents spread of fungus over whole vine)
```
164
When was phylloxera transported to Europe?
mid-1800s
165
What was the early solution to phylloxera?
Interbreeding native American vines and Vitis vinifera to develop hybrids resistant to the louse as native American vines were resistant
166
What was the ultimate "cure" for phylloxera?
Grafting on native American rootstock which was resistant to phylloxera and didn't impact the resulting grapes or wine aromas/flavors
167
How did some wine regions avoid phylloxera?
They were isolated or they had sandy soils which are inhospitable to phylloxera
168
Nematode
Microscopic roundworm that feeds on the vine's roots
169
How do nematodes effect vines?
By feeding on the vine and transmitting viruses
170
How are nematodes prevented?
Resistant rootstocks
| Use of cover crops that are natural biofumigant such as mustard
171
Why is pruning necessary?
To manage the size and development of the vine
172
Cane pruning
The grower allows one- or two-year-old shoots (known as canes because they have not yet become woody and bark-covered like older branches) to remain
Each cane is trimmed to leave about six to ten nodes each
173
Spur pruning
Several canes are left but are trimmed to a length of only a few inches containing just one or two nodes each
174
Why are the new growths of plants tied to supports?
Help airflow and sunlight to reach the interior of the plant, thereby increasing photosynthesis and preventing the development of fungus
For ease of reaching the fruit at harvest
175
Big difference between cane and spur pruning
Number of nodes or buds that are left -- spur pruning leaves more while cane pruning leaves less
176
Canopy Management
Techniques that alter the position of the number of shoots and grape clusters
177
Trellis
Network of stakes, posts, and support wires that position the vine as desired by the grower
178
What is the purpose of a trellis?
To achieve a balance between the vigor of the vine and the desired yield of grapes per acre
179
4 Common Training Systems
Head/Bush Training
Guyot
Cordon
Pergola
180
Head/Bush Training
No trellis is used, and the vine grows like a bush or miniature tree
181
What type of pruning is usually associated with Head/Bush training?
Spur pruning
182
Guyot Training
Simple cane-pruned system in which one cane from each vine in a row is trained along a wire, all of them in the same direction, to give maximum separation between grape bunches (single Guyot); Double Guyot involves two canes in opposite directions done this way
183
Type of pruning associated with Guyot training
Cane Pruning
184
Cordon Training
Same as Guyot, except spur-pruned. Branch or branches holding the spurs soon become as woody as the vines trunk, making it easy to tell the difference between and established cordon and a Guyot system
185
Type of pruning associated with Cordon training?
Spur-pruned
186
Difference between Guyot and Cordon Training
Guyot - Cane pruned
| Cordon - Spur pruned
187
Pergola Training
Overhead vines are trained up a tall support and then allowed to spread out horizontally, with the fruit hanging down.
Occasionally they do so up trees, but more frequently they grow up supports that hold some latticework, providing shade for people or other crops below
188
What is Vertical Shoot Positioning?
The new year's canes are trained upward and braced by additional wires, with the grape bunches positioned below the leaves in the fruiting area.
189
What is the benefit of vertical shoot positioning?
Good air circulation and light exposure, as well as ease of use for mechanical harvesters
190
What is prohibited throughout much of the old world, but common in the New World?
Irrigation
191
What determines the optimal time to harvest
```
Ripeness of grapes
Style of wine to be produced
Weather
Labor availability
Economic Considerations
```
192
How is sugar measured in the US and most of the New World?
Brix
193
Most common tools to measure grape sugar?
Refractometer
| (more old fashioned) hydrometer
194
What is the formula for estimating ethanol level in a finished wine? (Brix)
Brix value x .55 (5/9)
For a quick rough estimate -- divide the Brix value in half
195
Measurement system used in France for potential alcohol level
Baume
196
Formula for measuring Baume
milliliters potential alcohol/100 milliliters of wine
12 Baume = 12% Alcohol
197
System for measuring alcohol in Germany/Switzerland
Oechsle
198
Formula for measuring Oeschle
Oechsle = (Density of grape must - 1.0) x 1000
199
Measurement system in Austria
Klosterneuburger Mostwaage ( KMW)
200
What does KMW measure?
Exact sugar content of the grape juice by weight
201
What is organic viticulture?
Grape growing without the use of manufactured fertilizers or pesticides
202
What is the certifying body for organic viticulture in the United States?
US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Organic Program (NOP)
203
How many years must a vineyard be practicing organic before it can be certified organic? (In the US)
3 years
204
What is Integrated Pest Management?
Targeted approach to dealing with pests in a vineyard with the goal to eliminate or control only the insects that are actually present and causing damage, vs blanket treatment
205
How is IPM accomplished?
By studying each pest individually including its life cycle, host, and predators to find a vulnerability to exploit with the lowest amount of intervention and least effect on the vines/environment
206
What is Biodynamic Viticulture
Organic viticulture + Metaphysical elements + Few mandated procedures
207
Who developed the philosophy of biodynamics?
Rudolf Steiner in the early twentieth century
208
What is the philosophy of biodynamics?
All parts of the universe are interconnected as an ecosystem and that humans have the capacity to tap into the universal energy through meditation and mental practice
209
What is the guiding factor in biodynamic viticulture?
Planet alignment & Moon Phase
210
How many special preparations are used in biodynamic viticulture?
9, all thought to endow the organic fertilizer with spiritual energy
211
Who certifies wineries as biodynamic?
Demeter International
212
What is Sustainable Viticulture?
Similar to organic/biodynamic but with more of a focus on carbon footprint, water usage, greenhouse gases, and climate change. It allows for less black and white thought with the intent on what's best long term for the environment and resources of the planet
213
Name 3 Sustainable programs in the US
Lodi Winegrape Commission's "Lodi Rules"
Napa Valley Vintners "Napa Green"
New York State "Vine Balance"
214
Ideal weather conditions for flowering
Warm and dry (rain or wind can hinder fertilization)
215
Philosophy of viticulture often credited to Rudolf Steiner
Biodynamics
