Terroir

Which lighter bodied grapes like colder weather?

Pinot Noir, Riesling, Gewurtraminer

Terroir

Sum of factors that affect the local environment of the vine that can include: climate, weather, rainfall, soil, nutrients and minerals, topography

Which fuller bodied grapes like warmer weather?

Syrah, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Voignier

How to convert F - C?

(F-32)x.555

How much rainfall do vines need annually?

22 inches of rainfall

Most wines are grown in what climate?

30 and 50 degree latitudes and between 50-68 degrees F

what are ideal pH levels?

5.5-6.8

Which low acid varietals are planted in low pH soil?

Cabernet Sauvignon

Mesoclimate

Climate of a particular Vineyard site, example: Robert Mondavi winery in Napa Valley

Microclimate

Climate of a small, restricted space, example: a specific row in the Mondavi winery

Macroclimate

Climate of large or broad, general, area, example: Napa Valley

Botrytis cinerea

Disease from fog moisture that concentrates sweetness in grapes

What is Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC)?

It measures soil nutrition and nutrient retention capacity and to determine how much clay and organic matter exists in the soil - soil fertility

Appellation D'Origine Controlee

Originated in France in 1935. Created to protect winemakers and vineyards. All wines must meet certain criterias like certain practices and alcohol levels.

Soil structure

Refers to a soil's size and stability of soil types in the vineyard and how they affect the soil's ability to assist the vineyard

What do French Wine labels emphasize?

Region, estate, vintage year, alcohol content, AOC approval

What do American labels emphasize?

Similar things to French labels, but in a much simpler fashion

What is topography?

The layout of the land. elevation or slope of the vineyard for example

Grapes grow best in soil that is?

Well drained and deep. Depth affects how large the root system can grow, especially when water is in short supply

Soil color can reveal what about the soil?

ability to retain heat, sustainability, minerals - dark soils are better for all of this

What is a major thing soil drainage provides?

allows roots to stretch (sometimes up to 100 feet) - this makes the wine sweeter and stronger

What does a soil's structure depend on?

amount and chemical nature of clay in the soil, calcium and sodium contents, organic matter, and soil disturbance

what does Soil texture depend on?

amount of clay, silt, sand, stones and rocks, and organic matter. proportions of these in the soil can affect: drainage, root capability, heat retention

Which high acid varietals are planted in high pH soil?

chardonnay

What does clay have that sand lacks?

clay is rich in nutrients and minerals vital to a vine's ability to absorb other nutrients where sand lacks that

pH can be lowered using what?

cover crops. limestone can be added to increase pH levels lower than 5.5

Igneous soil

forms from lava flowing below and above the earth's surface

What are factors that affect soil fertility?

nutrient availability, cation exchange capacity, pH level

Metamorphic soil

originally sedimentary or igneous rock, but transformed through weathering

What is slope?

the direction the vineyard faces (N, S, E, W). certainly affects the microclimate