Viticulture - CMS Intro Somm

Question 1

What range of latitudes do most grape varieties thrive in?

Answer 1

30°–50°

This range includes temperate climates in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres.

Question 2

Where does most vine growing occur?

Answer 2

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

Vine growing is concentrated in these latitudes due to favorable climatic conditions.

Question 3

True or False: Grapes can only be grown within the 30° to 50° latitude range.

Answer 3

False

Grapes can also be grown in extreme climates above and below these latitude lines.

Question 4

Fill in the blank: Most grape varieties thrive in _______.

Answer 4

temperate climates

Temperate climates provide the necessary conditions for grape cultivation.

Question 5

What is the term for the overall climate of an entire wine region?

Answer 5

Macroclimate

Macroclimate refers to the large-scale climatic conditions affecting a broad area, such as a wine region.

Question 6

What do we call the climate specific to a particular vineyard?

Answer 6

Mesoclimate

Mesoclimate focuses on the climate conditions at the vineyard level, considering factors like topography and local weather.

Question 7

What is the term for the climate experienced by a single row of vines or a specific vine?

Answer 7

Microclimate

Microclimate refers to the specific climatic conditions affecting a very localized area, such as individual vine rows.

Question 8

What is a Continental climate characterized by?

Answer 8

Strong annual variation in temperature due to lack of proximity to significant bodies of water

Hotter summers than in maritime climates, often with extreme cold winter temperatures.

Question 9

What is a Maritime climate?

Answer 9

It is influenced by a large body of water, resulting in mild temperatures that fluctuate from year to year

This fluctuation can cause vintage variation.

Question 10

What are the characteristics of a Mediterranean climate during summer?

Answer 10

Hot and dry summers, with mild temperatures along the coasts due to proximity to cold water currents

Storms can also result as a consequence.

Question 11

Describe the summer conditions in a High Desert climate.

Answer 11

Summers are generally hot and dry, with high daytime temperatures and dramatic overnight drops

This leads to significant temperature variation between day and night.

Question 12

True or False: A Maritime climate is marked by extreme temperature variations.

Answer 12

False

Maritime climates are characterized by mild temperatures.

Question 13

What happens to temperatures with every 100 meters of rise in elevation?

Answer 13

Temperatures drop by approximately one degree.

Question 14

How does increased elevation affect grape ripening in warm to hot wine-growing regions?

Answer 14

It provides cooler temperatures that help to slow grape ripening.

Question 15

What changes how winds can influence a climate?

Answer 15

The direction from which they originate

Winds can either cool a region or provide warmth and drier air.

Question 16

What effect do winds from cool ocean waters have on a growing region?

Answer 16

They can cool the growing region

Question 17

What do winds originating from a desert provide to a growing region?

Answer 17

Warmth and drier air

This can help prevent mold or rot.

Question 18

True or False: Winds can only have a cooling effect on growing regions.

Answer 18

False

Winds can provide warmth and drier air as well.

Question 19

What do steeper hillsides provide in terms of soil?

Answer 19

Better drainage of soil

Steeper hillsides allow for excess water to drain more effectively, reducing waterlogging.

Question 20

Why are steeper hillsides often less fertile?

Answer 20

Due to erosion and lower chance of frost

Erosion removes topsoil and essential nutrients, while the microclimate reduces frost risk.

Question 21

What happens to cool air on steeper hillsides?

Answer 21

It falls from the upper slopes

This phenomenon can create a unique microclimate that affects plant growth.

Question 22

What challenges do steeper hillsides pose during the growing season?

Answer 22

Harder to maintain and harvest

The steep terrain complicates agricultural practices and machinery access.

Question 23

What are valley floors susceptible to?

Answer 23

• Pooling air
• Frost

Question 24

What characteristic do Valley Floors sometimes have in terms of soil?

Answer 24

Overly fertile soil

The soil in Valley Floors can be more fertile than in other areas.

Question 25

What are some of the important properties of various soil types?

Answer 25

* Drainage of water * Water retention * Sun reflection

Question 26

Where are the most important aromas and flavors located in grapes?

Answer 26

In the skins of the grapes

Question 27

What can seeds/pips produce if pressed?

Answer 27

Bitter flavors

Question 28

What is the genus of the plant that produces grapes?

Answer 28

Vitis

Question 29

What are three species of vining plants used for wine production?

Answer 29

* Vitis Labrusca * Vitis Riparia * Vitis Vinifera ## Footnote Our focus is Vitis Vinifera

Question 30

What is the most common species of grape for quality production?

Answer 30

Vitis vinifera ## Footnote Vitis vinifera is native to the Mediterranean, Europe, and southwestern Asia.

Question 31

Where is Vitis Vinifera native to?

Answer 31

Mediterranean, Europe and southwestern Asia

Question 32

How many varieties of Vitis vinifera are there?

Answer 32

Upwards of 10,000 varieties ## Footnote This species has a vast number of varieties used in winemaking.

Question 33

True or False: Vitis vinifera is native to North America.

Answer 33

False ## Footnote Vitis vinifera is native to the Mediterranean, Europe, and southwestern Asia.

Question 34

What is the term for grape vine breeding?

Answer 34

Viticultural Propagation ## Footnote This term encompasses various methods used in the cultivation of grape vines.

Question 35

What are hybrids in viticulture?

Answer 35

Vines of two or more different species combined to produce a new variety ## Footnote Example: Vitis vinifera x Vitis labrusca.

Question 36

What are crosses in viticulture?

Answer 36

Vines of the same species combined to create a new variety ## Footnote Example: Vitis vinifera x Vitis vinifera.

Question 37

What are clones in viticulture?

Answer 37

Identical genetic reproductions of a single vine

Question 38

Fill in the blank: _______ are vines of two or more different species combined to produce a new variety.

Answer 38

Hybrids

Question 39

Fill in the blank: _______ are identical genetic reproductions of a single vine.

Answer 39

Clones

Question 40

What does Vine Spacing refer to?

Answer 40

How the vines are spaced out in rows ## Footnote Can vary from being planted far apart to very close together.

Question 41

What is the purpose of Vine Training?

Answer 41

To control the growth of vines and direct their production ## Footnote Vines will continue to grow unless a vineyard manager controls the growth and basically tells the vine what to do

Question 42

How can vineyard managers control yield?

Answer 42

By managing how much fruit the vine produces ## Footnote Yield can be measured in tons of grapes per acre, hectoliters per hectare, or pounds/kilos per vine.

Question 43

Fill in the blank: Yield can be measured in _______.

Answer 43

* Tons of grapes per acre * Hectoliters per hectare * Pounds or kilos per vine

Question 44

What is Green Harvest?

Answer 44

A crop thinning method of dropping or cutting unripe grape bunches off the vine before harvest to decrease yields and allow the vine to focus its energy and nutrients on fewer, higher quality bunches.

Question 45

What is Canopy Management in the vineyard?

Answer 45

Managing the growth of the vine’s leaves to shade or expose grape bunches and determine airflow through vine rows.

Question 46

What are the two types of insects in vineyards?

Answer 46

* Beneficial insects * Harmful insects

Question 47

What is the purpose of Fertilizers in vineyard management?

Answer 47

To enhance soil fertility and provide nutrients to the vines. ## Footnote Fertilizers can be either chemical or organic.

Question 48

What are Anti-Fungal Treatments used for in the vineyard?

Answer 48

To ward off mildew and rot that can compromise fruit quality. ## Footnote These treatments are generally applied through spraying.

Question 49

What is Phylloxera?

Answer 49

A vine louse that destroyed a third of the world’s vines beginning in the late 1800s

Question 50

What are some ways to determine when grapes will be picked?

Answer 50

* Sugar ripeness * Physiological ripeness * Tannin ripeness ## Footnote It all depends on grape maturity.

Question 51

What is physiological ripeness in the context of harvest?

Answer 51

Ripeness of the grape bunches in their totality, including stems and seeds

Question 52

What is tannin ripeness in the context of harvest?

Answer 52

Ripeness specifically associated with tannins in the grape skins and seeds

Question 53

What is the purpose of making multiple passes through a vineyard?

Answer 53

To pick only the ripe bunches and leave behind underripe grapes until they are ready.

Question 54

What is a key advantage of hand harvesting?

Answer 54

Greater selectivity regarding the choice of grape bunches. ## Footnote Hand harvesting allows for careful selection, which can enhance the overall quality of the wine.

Question 55

What is a disadvantage to hand harvesting?

Answer 55

Labor-intensive and slower

Question 56

What are the benefits of mechanical harvesting?

Answer 56

Economical and rapid, enhancing quality under certain conditions. ## Footnote Particularly beneficial in hot regions or when a storm threatens the crop.

Question 57

What is a disadvantage of mechanical harvesting?

Answer 57

Indiscriminate technique often resulting in grapes arriving with leaves, pests, and animals. ## Footnote This is done by machines that shake the vines to release fruit.

Question 58

How does bin size affect the quality of harvested grapes?

Answer 58

Smaller bins allow careful selection; larger bins can lead to bursting berries or clusters. ## Footnote Greater weight in larger bins may compromise quality and begin fermentation prematurely.

Question 59

What can happen to berries in larger bins during harvesting?

Answer 59

They can burst due to greater weight. ## Footnote This can compromise both the quality of the grapes and the onset of fermentation.