Grape Varieties and Viticulture Flashcards

The term 'clonal selection' in viticulture refers to what practice?

Answer: Selecting individual vine cuttings with desirable traits for propagation

Clonal selection involves propagating vine cuttings from individual 'mother' vines chosen for desirable characteristics like yield, disease resistance, or flavor.

Tempranillo is known by which name in the Ribera del Duero appellation of Spain?

Answer: Tinto Fino

In Ribera del Duero, Tempranillo is locally called Tinto Fino or Tinto del País, producing fuller-bodied wines than its Rioja counterpart.

Which winemaking term describes the conversion of malic acid to softer lactic acid by bacteria?

Answer: Malolactic fermentation

Malolactic fermentation (MLF) uses lactic acid bacteria to convert sharp malic acid into softer lactic acid, reducing acidity and adding creamy texture.

Phylloxera devastated European vineyards in the late 19th century. What was the primary solution used to combat it?

Answer: Grafting European vines onto American rootstock

Grafting Vitis vinifera vines onto phylloxera-resistant American rootstock (Vitis riparia, rupestris, berlandieri) became the global solution to the phylloxera epidemic.

Which aromatic white grape is the signature variety of Alsace, France, and is considered one of the world's finest noble white grapes?

Answer: Riesling

Riesling is considered Alsace's noblest grape, capable of producing everything from bone-dry to lusciously sweet Vendange Tardive and SGN wines.

What does 'biodynamic viticulture' include that goes beyond organic farming practices?

Answer: Planting and harvesting based on lunar calendar and use of specific preparations

Biodynamic viticulture follows Rudolf Steiner's philosophy, incorporating lunar calendars for farming tasks and using special compost preparations to treat the vineyard as a self-sustaining ecosystem.