United States Sommelier Association Wine School

UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL Objectives After completing this module, you should be able to display an understanding of how grapes are grown for wine production. describe the annual growing cycle of a grapevine. explain how the grapevine’s environment affects the crop it produces. UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL

UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL Introduction Great wines are made from great grapes, and the ultimate quality of a wine is determined in the vineyard as much as it is at the winery. Many fruit crops are grown with an emphasis on appearance. Many agricultural crops are grown as a commodity. Premium wine grapes are one of the few crops that are still grown primarily for their flavor. UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL

Introduction (continued) There are two factors that influence the character of grapes from a given vineyard: environmental and cultural. Environmental factors are all the natural attributes of the vineyard site. Cultural practices are all the actions performed by the grower. UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL

Grapes Used for Winemaking Grapes are the preferred fruit for wine production. Grape juice has all the attributes necessary for fermenting the juice. The outside of the grape berry is covered with a waxy layer that contains naturally occurring yeast. The great majority of wine produced in the world is from grapes. UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL

UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL Vitis vinifera There are many indigenous species of grapes worldwide, but the overwhelming majority of wine produced is from the species Vitis vinifera. This species is native to Asia Minor. Within the species Vitis vinifera there are over 5,000 named cultivars; only a fraction are grown commercially. Grapevines can be propagated by using cuttings to form a separate vine that is a clone of the original vine. UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL

Other Species of Grapes Although the vinifera grape is very versatile, it is not well suited to cold or humid climates. In the Eastern United States, native grape varieties such as Concord and Scuppernong are grown for winemaking. Indigenous to the East Coast of North America, they are naturally resistant to pests of the region. To combine the hardiness of American varieties with the flavors of European (vinifera) varieties, the two were crossbred to produce hybrids. UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL

Other Species of Grapes (continued) Native and hybrid varieties are planted throughout the Eastern United States but have not found wide acceptance with consumers. In the 1880s European interest in developing new grape varieties for winemaking led to the importation of native American grapes. They brought with them several grape pests and diseases. Downey mildew, powdery mildew, black rot, and phylloxera quickly spread throughout Europe. UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL

Phylloxera and Grafting Vines brought from France further spread phylloxera to California and the rest of the world. Grafting takes a cutting, or scion, from a vinifera variety and affixing it to a rootstock from American grapes that are phylloxera resistant. The result is a vine that has roots that are resistant to phylloxera and produces vinifera fruit for winemaking. There are many different rootstocks that are adapted to a variety of growing conditions. UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL

UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL Soil and Site Soils that are shallow or low in nutrients will put pressure on the grapevines resulting in lower cropload with less vegetative growth. If there is less vegetative growth, the grape clusters will not be as shaded by the leaves; sun exposure on Cabernet Sauvignon clusters will give them more fruity aromas and less of a herbaceous aroma. Grapes grown in fertile soils can also produce high-quality fruit, but they must be managed properly. UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL

Soil and Site (continued) There are a number of parameters that go into a soil’s makeup: The parent material or rock of which it is comprised The size of the particles the soil is made of: clay is made of very fine particles silt has larger particles than clay sand has larger particles than silt The chemical composition of the soil The organic matter and nutrients in the soil The depth of the soil UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL

Soil and Site (continued) Soils are characterized by the ratio of sand, silt, and clay that are present in them. Soils that have a high ratio of clay are said to be heavy. Sandy soils are called light. Loam is a mixture of clay, silt, sand, and organic matter that is fertile and drains well. Alluvial soils lie in the floodplains that flank rivers and streams; they are usually a mix of silt, sand, gravel, and loam. Grapevines need adequate, but not excessive, nutrients from their soil for healthy growth. UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL

Soil and Site (continued) A vineyard’s topography is as important as its soil. A vineyard on a south-facing hillside will absorb more sunlight and be warmer than the north side of the hill. Hillside vineyards have better drainage but will be more susceptible to erosion and wind damage. Cold air will settle into valleys and low-lying areas on still mornings without wind making these locations more susceptible to spring frost and winterkill. UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL

UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL Climate Climate has a great influence on wine grape quality. Grapevines do best in temperate zones between 30 and 50 in latitude north or south. In this zone winters are sufficiently cold enough to allow the vines to drop their leaves and go dormant, but do not often cause winterkill. Grapes also require adequate rainfall or irrigation to support growth and crop development. UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL

UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL Climate (continued) These broad weather conditions of a particular wine-growing region are defined as the macroclimate. The weather in a particular vineyard or portion of a vineyard is referred to as the mesoclimate or microclimate. Grape varieties not only have a wide range of color and flavors, they are also suited to a diversity of climates. UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL

UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL Terroir Terroir is the French term to describe all the environmental factors that nature imparts to a given vineyard. Terroir is a holistic philosophy and relates to all the properties of the soil, topography, and all the climatic conditions. The concept of terroir is not only having the proper environment to grow grapes but also matching the variety and vineyard management to suit the terroir. UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL

Techniques of Grape Growing Before the vineyard is planted, the site must be chosen and prepared for planting the grapes. The soil can be tested and amendments to the soil can be tilled into it if necessary. Pests and diseases can be controlled by using a rootstock that is resistant to them or by fumigating the soil before planting. UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL

UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL Trellising Grapevines are grown on an artificial support called a trellis. There are many different types of trellis systems from the simple to the complex, and they are used according to varying viticultural situations. High vigor vines with lots of vegetative growth will benefit from a complex trellis. Low vigor vines will not have an enough growth to fill a large trellis, so a simpler system is used. A vineyard’s vigor is directly related to its yield. UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL

UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL The Growing Season Grapevines are deciduous, losing their leaves and going dormant over the wintertime. A dormant vine is more tolerant of cold temperatures This dormancy creates an annual cycle of the growing season that begins in the spring and ends in the fall after harvest. UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL

UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL Budbreak The growing season begins in the early spring usually between February and April in the Northern Hemisphere. When the average temperature reaches 50°F (10°C), the vines end their winter dormancy. Shoots, or canes, sprout from the buds and begin to grow quickly. At this point, the shoots are sensitive to subfreezing temperatures. Spring frosts are common in low-lying vineyards where the cold air can settle in the early morning hours. Vines are protected from frost by wind machines or sprinklers. UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL

UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL Bloom Flower clusters at the base of the young shoots look like miniature clusters of grapes. About eight weeks after budbreak, they begin to bloom. Once fertilized, a grape flower will begin to develop into a berry. If a flower is not fertilized, it will drop off the cluster in a process called shatter. For optimum pollination, warm, even temperatures are desired, without too much wind or wet weather. UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL

UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL Véraison Véraison is the beginning of ripeness and starts in mid to late summer about eight to ten weeks after bloom. At véraison: The hard and green berries begin to swell and change color. The sugar from photosynthesis is now going into fruit development instead of vegetative growth. Irrigation is diminished to help the fruit ripen by slowing vine growth. UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL

UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL Harvest (continued) Six to ten weeks after véraison the grapes will be ready for harvest. The time of harvest depends on the variety, the weather conditions, and the degree of ripeness desired. To determine when the grapes are ready to be picked, samples are taken and analyzed for flavor, chemistry, and appearance. The decision to harvest is based on the maturity of the fruit as well as operational concerns. UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL

UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL Harvest (continued) Grapes can be picked either by hand or by machine. Hand picking is gentle to both the fruit and the vines is selective: only the healthy ripe fruit is picked requires more labor UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL

UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL Harvest (continued) Mechanical harvesters are not as gentle or selective. have the advantage of also being operated at night so that they will bring in cooler fruit. require less labor (more cost-effective). Both methods, if done properly, can provide the winery with high-quality fruit. UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL

UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL Dormancy At the first frost after the harvest, the leaves will fall off marking the beginning of the winter dormancy period. While the vine is dormant, no new growth occurs and it is much less sensitive to cold weather. Vineyard operations during dormancy include adding fertilizers and soil adjustments. a cover crop that may be planted to control erosion. pruning the vines. UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL

UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL Pruning After a vine is established, the process of pruning removes almost all the new growth from the previous year. Each bud left on the vine will produce a new shoot in the spring, and the amount of the next season’s crop is determined by the number of buds. UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL

UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL Pruning (continued) There are two types of pruning: Cane pruning—healthy canes are selected from the past season’s growth and trained along wires; each bud on the cane will grow a new cane of its own in the spring. Spur pruning—the grapevine is grown with permanent arms or cordons that have spurs located about every six to eight inches along their length. Each spur will have several buds on them for the next year’s growth. UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL

UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL Pruning (continued) The most important concept in pruning is balance. This is where the vine is left with the appropriate amount of buds to produce the correct cropload. Overcropped vines will have a difficult time producing enough sugar to get the grapes ripe. Undercropping also has undesirable consequences because if there is not enough crop the vine will put too much energy into vegetative growth. UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL

UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL Organic Viticulture Organic viticulture is the practice of growing grapes without the use of any manmade substances. In an organic vineyard, weed control is done by tilling or planting of cover crops. Elemental sulfur can still be used to combat rot, but synthetic chemicals cannot be used. Excellent grapes can be grown organically, but the extra handwork required makes them more expensive to grow. UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL

Sustainable Viticulture Sustainable viticulture promotes agricultural practices that allow the minimal use of pesticides in the vineyard. This encourages the development of a natural vineyard ecosystem with predatory insects to help combat grape pests. Sustainable grape growing is a popular option because it provides much of the benefits of organic farming, with less risk and a lower cost of labor. UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL

UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL Major Grape Varieties Although there are thousands of varieties of Vitis vinifera that are grown for winemaking, only a few make up the vast majority of production. UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL

UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL Barbera Barbera produces intensely colored, tart wines with moderate tannins. It is native to the Piedmont region of Italy. The grape’s tendency to hold on to its acid in warm climates made it popular as a “blender” in wines from warm areas. Interest in growing premium Italian varietals have led to increased plantings in the coastal growing regions in California. UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL

UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL Cabernet Franc From the Bordeaux and Loire regions of France. Has small berries and loose to compact clusters. Related to Cabernet Sauvignon, it typically produces wines with less complexity and lighter tannins and color than its relative does. It is most often used for blending with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in a Bordeaux-style blend. UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL

UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL Cabernet Sauvignon The classic variety of Bordeaux, it is one of the most popular varieties grown worldwide. It is a late season ripener with loose clusters and thick-skinned berries that make it resistant to rot. It is known for its excellent color and tannins combined with complex flavor. In 1997 DNA research determined that Cabernet Sauvignon is a cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. While 100 percent of Cabernet Sauvignons are often made with great success, blending with other Bordeaux varieties makes a more balanced and complex wine. UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL

UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL Chardonnay One of the best known white varieties, Chardonnay comes from the Burgundy and Chablis regions of France. It is a mid-season ripener allowing it to be grown in cool regions. A versatile variety can be made in a number of styles. Chardonnay’s popularity resulted in extensive planting in California throughout the 1980s and 1990s. UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL

UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL Chenin Blanc Chenin Blanc is native to the Loire Valley of France. It is a prodigious producer and adapts well to a number of different soils and climates. It is popular throughout the world, although in most areas outside of France it is considered a simple grape and used for making inexpensive wines. Usually made into a clean, crisp, wine with a minimum of oak aging, it can be made in either sweet or dry styles. UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL

UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL Gewürztraminer Gewürztraminer is a white grape, but unlike other white varieties, it turns a deep russet color at ripeness instead of staying green or yellow. Cool growing conditions help to bring out the distinct floral-spicy aroma for which the variety is famous. Gewürztraminer makes a delicious dry wine; however, it is best known for it sweeter styles including late harvest dessert wines. UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL

UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL Grenache Grenache is the most popular grape in the Southern Rhône Valley, where it is the mainstay of the Rhône blend Châteauneuf du Pape. It has ripe, fruity, plum-like flavors with moderate tannins—qualities that make it useful for blending with Syrah, which can be more tannic. It thrives under warm growing conditions and can support a large cropload on fertile soils. In cooler areas with a lighter crop, it produces much better wine. UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL

UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL Merlot Merlot is from the Bordeaux region where it is sometimes made into a wine by itself, but more often is blended with Cabernet Sauvignon. It has similar flavors to Cabernet but has a softer mouth feel and gets ripe earlier in the season. Merlots have become popular because the good flavors and the lighter body make it more approachable with novice wine drinkers. Its consumer acceptance has made it one of the most widely planted grapes in California. Its success has led to overplanting. UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL

UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL Muscat Blanc Also called Muscat Canelli, it is a member of the Muscat family of grapes. There are more than 200 different varieties of Muscat with varying skin color and flavor. It has a distinct “Muscat aroma” that is described as intensely fruity and floral. It can be made in a variety of styles from a light-bodied and dry table wine to a fortified dessert wine. UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL

UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL Petite Sirah Called Durif in France, it is descended from a cross between Syrah and Peloursin. Petite Sirah has found a great deal of popularity in California. It makes a deeply colored, full-bodied wine with lots of fruity aromas. While it makes an excellent varietal wine, it is often blended with other reds, particularly Zinfandel. UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL

UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL Pinot Blanc Known as Pinot Bianco in Italy and Weissburgunder in Germany and Austria, it is a green-skinned clone of Pinot Gris. Pinot Blanc does best in cool areas and has flavors that are similar to Chardonnay, but more delicate in nature. In Europe, it is generally used to make crisp, light-bodied wines with a minimum of oak aging. In California, a riper style is produced with more body and often more oak. UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL

Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio This is known as Pinot Gris in France and Pinot Grigio in Italy. The parent of Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris itself is mutated from the red variety Pinot Noir. Although it produces a white wine, the clusters have a light pinkish/brown color. It is an early season ripener and is popular in cool regions with short growing seasons. It is currently one of the fastest growing varieties in America in terms of consumption, due to imports as well as new plantings. UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL

UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL Pinot Noir The primary grape of Burgundy, it has a reputation for producing excellent, long-aging wines. It also has a reputation for being both difficult to grow and make into wine. Pinot Noir has many clones, from those that are suited to sparkling wine production to “Burgundy” clones for table wine. It ripens early and does best in cool conditions. It is a delicate wine and must be treated very gently at the winery so that the balance and flavor is not lost. UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL

UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL Riesling Called White Riesling or Johannisberg Riesling in the United States, it is the most famous variety grown in Germany. Riesling is similar in character to Gewürztraminer. In cool areas, the fruity qualities and tart acid that the grape is known for are preserved. It can be made in a number of styles from dry, tart table wines to sweet dessert wines. In the 1970s it was the most expensive grape grown in California; however, it fell out of favor as the public started to drink more dry wines. UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL

UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL Sangiovese Sangiovese is the classic grape of the Tuscany region and is the major variety in Chianti wines. The variety’s thin-skinned berries leave it vulnerable to rain and high temperatures at ripeness, and it can sometimes have light color. It produces tart wines with medium body and cherry flavors. Sangioveses do well on their own or blended with other red varieties such as Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon. UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL

UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL Sauvignon Blanc Sauvignon Blanc, also known as Fumé Blanc, grows vigorous vines that produce tight clusters of thin-skinned berries. The thin skins make it very susceptible to rot. It has a distinct varietal aroma that runs a spectrum that includes vegetative, grassy, gooseberry, and melon. When grown under cool conditions, the varietal character can become very intense. The classic white variety of the Graves district in France, it has also found acclaim in New Zealand and California. UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL

UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL Tempranillo The dominant grape used in Rioja wines of Spain and widely planted in Argentina, Tempranillo has vigorous vines that ripen early in the season and produce thick-skinned berries. It makes an intense wine with excellent color and tannins, and its aroma typically has notes of strawberries and plums with earthy overtones. It is also grown in Portugal where it is known as Tinta Roriz. UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL

UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL Viognier From the Rhône region, this distinctive grape is difficult to grow and has low yielding vines. It makes a relatively low acid wine with very intense tropical and floral fragrances. Sometimes it is blended with other varieties to add structure and tone down the strong aromas. It is becoming increasingly popular in California, but is still not widely planted. UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL

UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL Zinfandel Native to Europe, Zinfandel is best known in California. Recent DNA analysis has determined it to be the Croatian variety Crljenak Kastelanski. In Croatia only twenty vines were found to be still in production. It has large, thin-skinned clusters that have a tendency to become overripe in hot weather, resulting in a high alcohol wine that has a “raisiny” character. It makes a full-bodied wine with blackberry and pepper flavors and light tannins. UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL

UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL Summary Growing premium wine grapes is collaboration between the winemaker and grower. The vintner lets the grower know what qualities are wanted in the fruit, and the grower manages the vineyard in a way that will deliver them. Market conditions in the wine business also affect prices where popular varieties in high demand to the consumer are worth more than varieties that have fallen out of favor. UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL

UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL Summary (continued) The best grapes are usually produced from vineyards that have a long and mutually beneficial relationship with the winery. In these situations, a trust between the grower and the winemaker develops, and the grower knows exactly what kind of fruit that the winemaker wants. UNITED STATES SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION WINE SCHOOL