2.3 The Growing Environment

Name two cool continental climates.

Chablis and Champagne

What is chlorosis? What effect does it have? (3)

- An issue caused by lack of nutrients. - The leaves turn yellow and the vine's ability to photosynthesize is restricted. - Grapes struggle to ripen properly and their quality and quantity is reduced.

Tell me about cool continental climates (risks, best variety qualities...). (3)

- at risk for spring frost - low temperatures throughout the growing season can affect flowering, fruit set, and ripening - therefore better suited to varieties that bud late and ripen early

Aside from the possibility of spring frost, what other bad effect can cold temperatures of spring have on the vineyard? (2)

- budburst can be delayed, shortening the growing season and leaving not enough time for grapes to fully ripen - flowering and fruit set can be disrupted by cold temperatures, resulting in a smaller than average crop of grapes

Name three ways that heavy rainfall can be detrimental in the vineyard.

- can disrupt flowering and fruit set, which would significantly reduce the number of grapes that are formed - can cause damp conditions that encourage the spread of fungal diseases - if it occurs shortly before harvest, it can cause the berries to swell excessively. This dilutes the flavors in the wine, and in extreme cases, can cause the berries to split, which attracts fungal diseases

Tell me about maritime climates. (5)

- characterized by cool to moderate temperatures - low annual difference between hottest and coldest months (low continentality) - rainfall tends to be evenly spread throughout the year, which helps to moderate temperature - meanings temps are worm enough for grapes to continue ripening far into autumn - rainfall in the spring and summer can be harmful to the flowering, fruit set, and health of the grapes at harvest

Tell me about sprinklers. (3)

- cheaper than drip but wastes a lot of water - create damp conditions in the vineyard, increasing risk of disease - if designed right, can also be used for frost protection

Name the four climates and their defining average growing season temperature ranges.

- cool climate: 16.5ºC or below - moderate climate: 16.5ºC to 18.5ºC - warm climate: 18.5ºC to 21ºC - hot climate: above 21ºC

Tell me about continental climates. (3)

- have the greatest difference in temperature between the hottest and the coldest months (high continentality) - usually characterized by short summers with a large, rapid temperature drop in autumn - noted for having dry summers, so if the temperature is high, irrigation can be necessary

What are the four main protection methods from spring frost?

- heaters - wind machines - sprinklers - thoughtful vineyard design

What happens if the vine has access to too much water during the growing season? (3)

- it will continue to grow shoots and leaves during the ripening season, leaving less sugar for ripening grapes - extra shoots and leaves increase shading, which restricts ripening - if extreme, waterlogged soil can cause roots to become saturated and die

What 6 factors affect (change) heat, circumstantially?

- latitude - altitude - ocean currents - fog - soil - aspect

Describe the Mediterranean Climate and the wines produced. (4)

- low temperature differences between the hottest and coldest months - but summers tend to be warm and dry - extra warmth and sunlight, compared with maritime climates, leads to wines that are fully bodied, with riper tannins, higher alcohol, and lower levels of acidity - lower rainfall can have a positive effect on the health of the grapes but can also lead to drought

Tell me about drip irrigation. (2)

- most advanced and expensive - each vine has its own dripper that can be computer controlled to ensure each vine gets optimum amount of water

Name and describe the two methods by which grape growers deal with hail.

- netting can be used, but it is quite costly. - hail storms tend to be very localized, so the best protection may be reducing the risk of losing your whole crop by owning several vineyard sites in different locations.

Tell me about spring frosts. (3)

- occurs when cold air below 0ºC collects at ground level, freezing any water vapor that has settled on the ground or the vine - if this happens to newly burst buds or young shoots it kills them - the damage and the impact on yields can be enormous

Tell me about the effects soil can have on the temperature of the vineyard. (4)

- soils that are dark and/or have a high stone and rock content absorb and reradiate more of the sun's heat than lighter soils - this reradiated warmth can be be critical for ripening the fruit in cool climates - soils with high water content require more energy to warm up, and they conduct heat from the vine more quickly than dry soils - this can delay budburst

Name some ways clouds can increase or reduce diurnal range. (2)

- temperatures can drop more quickly on a clear night, with no insulating blanket of cloud, which would increase the diurnal range - temperature can rise more slowly on cloudy days, when the sunlight cannot heat the ground directly, reducing diurnal range

Tell me about flood irrigation. (3)

- very cheap to use - only possible in vineyards that are flat or very gently sloping - only possible where there is access to large quantities of water

At what temperature do vines risk serious damage or even being killed by winter freeze.

-20ºC

If the temperature is below _____ºC, it is too cold for the vine to grow.

10

What is humus?

A component of soil made up of decomposing plant and animal materials that are rich in plant nutrients and have excellent water retaining properties.

What is loam? Describe the benefits as well.

A mixture of sand and clay particles. Many of the best soils are made of this. They have good drainage but retain enough water for growth.

How does altitude affect heat?

As altitude increases, temperatures drop. This means regions at high altitude may grow vines, even if they are closer to the equator.

Tell me about the effect large bodies of water have on the continentality of a region.

Because these bodies of water take longer than land to warm up or cool down, they tend to have a warming effect on air in the winter and in the summer they have a cooling effect. This means areas close to large bodies of water generally have a low continentality as opposed to regions that are far inland, who have greater temperature extremes and have a high continentality.

How is water stored in the soil?

By binding to clay particles or humus.

How can waterlogging be avoided?

By planting vines on a slope. If on a flat site, you can install drainage pipes to aid in the flow of water away from the roots.

How can chlorosis be battled?

By the use of appropriate fertilizer.

Which grape variety is noted in the book for being successful in the maritime climate in the Bordeaux area, where it would otherwise struggle at that latitude?

Cabernet Sauvignon

Which of the five things a vine needs is always in plentiful supply?

Carbon dioxide.

How can thoughtful vineyard design help against spring frost?

Cold air sinks to the lowest point it can find, so it is best to plant vineyards on slopes and avoid depressions. Vines can also be trained high to avoid the worst of the cold air.

What do cool nights facilitate? And warm nights?

Cool nights help slow the loss of aromas and acidity in the grapes during ripening. Warm nights accelerate ripening.

Name the three irrigation techniques.

Drip irrigation, sprinklers, and flood irrigation.

True or false? Vines need a high level of nutrients in order to thrive? Explain.

False, they do not. In fact, if levels are too high they will grow too vigorously and produce a dense leafy canopy that shades the fruit too much.

What two other stages of growth really would benefit from extra sunlight?

Flowering and fruit set.

Day length during the summer growing season is longer the ____________ the vineyard is from the equator.

Further

The extra sunlight given due to distance from the equator helps Riesling ripen in what country?

Germany

Wine climates are defined by their average temperature during which season?

Growing season.

in order to complete its annual cycle What are the five things a vine needs ?

Heat, sunlight, carbon dioxide, water, and nutrients.

How is hail detrimental?

It can damage grapes and even the vine itself. In the worst cases it can destroy an entire crop.

What happens if the soil contains too much clay?

It can easily become waterlogged, which in extreme cases can kill the vine's roots.

What affect does fog have in terms of heat? Name two places where this effect is prevalent.

It can help cool an area that might otherwise struggle to produce high-quality grapes. It is an important feature in many areas of California as well as Casablanca Valley in Chile.

Define continentality.

It is the temperature difference between the coldest and hottest months. High continentality means a large difference in seasonal temperatures. Low continentality means less variation in temperatures throughout the year.

Large bodies of water, such as seas or lakes, heat up and cool down more or less quickly that landmasses?

Less.

Once a sufficient canopy of leaves have grown, what might be beneficial to do to the water supply and why?

Limiting the water supply can be beneficial to grape ripening. At this stage, the vine has enough water to keep photosynthesizing but the shortage of water means that the vine would concentrate on grapes ripening, instead of on further shoot growth. This also can reduce the impact of shading by stopping the canopy of leaves from growing too large.

How do ocean currents affect heat?

Major currents transport large volumes of warm or cold water across the surface of the ocean, leading to localized warming or cooling in certain wine regions.

Name a place particularly prone to hail.

Mendoza, Argentina

What region is named in the book for sun-facing slopes that benefit from being very steep?

Mosel, Germany.

How does latitude affect the heat?

Most vineyards lie between 30º and 50º north and south of the equator. Closer to the equator is too hot and closer to the Poles is too cold for vineyards, generally speaking.

What are the three most important nutrients for a vine?

Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

What happens to nutrients in the soil over time? What does this mean?

Over time, nutrients in the soil become depleted and the grape grower will need to replace them with natural or chemical fertilizers.

What are the two things a vine needs water for?

Photosynthesis and to swell its grapes during ripening.

What is the risk of very hot temperatures in summer?

Prolonged periods of extreme heat can cause all vine activity to slow and eventually stop, even with enough water. This prevents grapes from ripening properly. If extreme, the vine will die.

What two types of soil particles are the most important? What's special about them?

Sand (which is the largest type) and clay (which is the smallest type).

Name a body of water current that warms a region that might otherwise be too cold for grape growing.

The Gulf Stream warms the north-west of Europe.

Name two bodies of water currents that cool regions that might otherwise be too hot for grape growing.

The Humboldt Current off Chile and the Benguela Current off South Africa.

Name places where the Mediterranean climate can be found.

The Mediterranean, as well as coastal California, Chile, South Africa, and South Eastern Australia.

How is a climate defined? Does it change?

The annual pattern of temperature, sunlight, and rainfall averaged out over several years. It doesn't change from one year to the next, thought it can alter over a period of decades.

What is diurnal rage?

The difference between daytime and night-time temperatures.

What part of the vine is most at risk when it comes to extremely cold temperatures?

The graft.

What is transpiration?

The process of water being drawn up to the leaves from the roots.

What happens when the winter is mild or if there is no winter at all?

The vine will not have a dormant period and may produce more than one crop each year. This will shorten the life and lower the quality of the grapes. Also, larger populations of insect pests will survive to attack the vine the following summer.

How do heaters help with spring frost?

They are placed throughout the vineyard and lit if frost seems possible. Generated heat creates movement in the air, preventing cold air from settling.

What effect do sand particles and stones have when it comes to retaining water?

They don't hold water well, so they facilitate drainage. Too much would lead to an insufficient amount of water being retained, causing irrigation to be needed, even if there is heavy rainfall.

How do wind machines help with spring frost?

They look like a fan, and draw warm air from above to keep the temperature at ground level above freezing. Some incorporate heaters.

How do sprinklers help with spring frost?

They spray water onto the vines. As the water freezes, it releases some heat into the plant tissue protecting the buds and shoots.

What is soil made up of?

Tiny particles of various sizes, large stones or rocks, and humus.

True or false? The steeper a sun-facing slope the more it will benefit from the warming effect of its aspect.

True

What is earthing up?

When winter freeze is at risk, this is the process by which earth can be used to cover up and protect the graft on the vine.

How is weather different from the climate? Define it.

While climate is an annual pattern averaged over years, weather is the annual variation that happens relative to the climactic average.

What can be expected for the wines produced in a region with a warm or hot climate where the vineyard has a large diurnal range?

Wines can be produced that are fresher and more aromatic compared with a vineyard with a smaller diurnal range, because the nights are cooler.

Does warmth cause water to evaporate faster from the leaves of the vine?

Yes.

Soil sits above the underlying ____________ and may be anything from a few _____________ to several ______________ deep.

bedrock; centimeters; meters

Intensely sunny conditions can cause sunburn, leading to __________ flavors developing in grape skins.

bitter

A region's continentality will determine the length of the ____________________ ____________________.

growing season

The vine combines the ____________ it extracts from the _______ to support its growth and to ____________ its grapes.

nutrients; soil, ripen

The more sunlight there is, the more a vine will ______________ and the greater the amount of ____________ produced for growth and ripening grapes.

photosynthesize; glucose

Would proximity to seas and lakes increase or reduce a vineyard's diurnal range?

reduce

Stones, sand, and clay come from underlying ___________ or later deposits laid on top of the _________ (same word).

rock

What factor of the soil particles is crucial?

size

In the Northern Hemisphere, __________ facing slopes get the most warmth. In the Southern Hemisphere, __________ facing slopes get the most warmth.

south; north

Soil supplies the vine with __________ and __________.

water; nutrients