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