Wine page 4 by ric gustafson
The wind is very important to making wine. Each grape vine is called a crown. It will be that way for 20 years. By that time, the trunk will be strong enough to withstand the wind. A gentle breeze is always good. It cools the grapes. A slashing or severe wind is never good. Vines can be damaged. Even a stiff wind is not the best.
Soil is very important to making wine. In viticulture, you need good drainage. You need good soil to push vines deep to find water and nutrients. Sand, silt, rocks, organic matter, limestone and schist. Color is important in wine making. Soil needs color and the ability to reflect sunlight.
Grapevines mutate over time as a result of viruses. A population of vines derived from a single vine is called a mother vine. A vineyard of pinot noir can have some vines that are more robust. Some vines might produce smaller berries. A clone of pinot noir could have more intensity of flavor than another. The root system beneath the soil of a grape vine is rootstock.
Rootstock can be traced back to 3 grape species. Rootstocks can be high or low vigor. They can have shallow or deep roots. Selecting the right rootstock for the location is critical for wine making.
Next, we will look at vineyards and the harvest.
research help: ' The Wine Bible' by Karen MacNeil
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric