Wine Grape Terminology- The Lingo of Viticulture
Dr. Duke Elsner Small Fruit Educator Michigan State University Extension Traverse City, Michigan
2014 Wine Grape Vineyard Establishment Conference Viticulture Terminology
Where to start?
How far to go?
– Until my time runs out! What are grapes? “…thornless, dark-stemmed, green- flowered, mostly shreddy-barked, high-climbing vines that climb by means of tendrils.” Cultivated species of grapes
Vitis labrusca – Native to North America – Procumbent shoot growth habit – Concord, Niagara, dozens more
Vitis vinifera – Eastern Europe, middle east – Upright shoot growth habit – Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Gewurztraminer, etc. Other important species of grapes
Vitis aestivalis Summer grape Vitis riparia Riverbank grape Vitis rupestris Sand grape Vitis rotundifolia Muscadine grape Vitis cinerea Winter grape Variety A varient form of a wild plant that has been recognized as a true taxon ranking below sub- species. Cultivar A variety of a plant species originating and continuing in cultivation and given a name in modern language. Hybrid Cultivar A new cultivar resulting from the intentional crossing of selected cultivars, varieties or species. Hybrid Cultivar A new cultivar resulting from the intentional crossing of selected cultivars, varieties or species. Clone (clonal selection) A strain of grape cultivar that has been derived by asexual reproduction and presumably has a desirable characteristic that sets it apart from the “parent” variety.
Pinot Noir = cultivar
Pinot Noir Pommard = clone
Grafted vine A vine produced by a “surgical” procedure that connects one or more desired fruiting cultivars onto a variety with desired root characteristics. Scion Above-graft part of a grafted vine, including leaf and fruit-bearing parts. Rootstock A variety used as the root and basal portion of a grafted vine. Scion & Rootstock
Scion – The fruit producing variety grafted to a rootstock
Graft union is the connection point
Rootstock – Specially selected grape stock that imparts adaptation to soil conditions or influences scion variety performance
Canopy The shoots of the vine including stems, leaves and fruit. The ideal shape and size of the canopy varies by cultivar, vigor, spacing, fertility and training system.
Canopy management All the activities that influence the canopy, including pruning, training, shoot positioning, thinning, etc. Dormant pruning annual removal of woody tissues during the vine’s dormancy. Training A physical manipulation of a vine’s form to a specific design. Shoot positioning Manipulation of shoot orientation to optimize canopy sunlight interception, fruit quality and other outcomes.
Summer pruning Removing vegetative parts of vines during the growing season.
Hedging Pruning during the growing season, usually removing only shoot tops to control the vine canopy shape and eliminate shading. Biotic Associated with or caused by biological factors, such as plants, animals, microbes, etc.
Abiotic Associated with or caused by non-biological factors, such as frost, desiccation, hail, etc. Climate The prevailing or average weather conditions of an area.
Mesoclimate Climatic conditions peculiar to a local site.
Microclimate Environment within a specific small area, such as within a vineyard or the vine canopy. Degree days A measure of physiological time; it is a function of the average daily temperature, the lower and upper threshold temperatures of an organism and the number of days at given temperatures.
Phenology The study and record of recurring biological phenomena such as bud break, bloom, and veraison on the basis of elapsed time, accumulated heat units, or other climatic conditions. Seasonal growth stages
Bud development
Seasonal growth stages
Early shoot growth & cluster development
Seasonal growth stages
Pre bloom
Seasonal growth stages
Early bloom – pollinators are not needed !!
Seasonal growth stages
Bloom
Seasonal growth stages
Verasion
Veraison The period or stage of fruit ripening, characterized by softening, color change and perceptible increases in sugar and decreases in acidity.
Brix A measure of a fluid’s total soluble solids concentration, usually expressed in degrees or as a percentage of the weight of sugar in the solution. Harvest Period September through October, typically
Based on sugar accumulation, acidity levels and other factors
Seasonal growth stages
Cane & bud maturation
Seasonal growth stages
Dormancy
Viticulture Terminology
Shoot Succulent growth arising from a bud, including stems, leaves and fruit. Lateral shoot Secondary shoots arising from buds along shoots during the same growing season. Procumbent (recumbent) growth With respect to shoot growth habit, the tendency for shoots to droop rather than grow upright. Suckers Unwanted shoots arising from low on the vine or along the trunk. Leaves Primary interceptor of light energy Producer of sugars and other chemicals Shape and size quite variable
Connected to shoots by a petiole
Tendril Twining organs of shoots, located opposite of leaves, that can coil around objects and provide support to the vine. Cluster Fruiting structure Opposite of lower leaves of shoots
Cluster Fruiting structure Opposite of lower leaves of shoots May also form on lateral shoots
The Amazing Buds of Grapes
Buds are “compound”
Three separate buds inside each “node”
Primary, secondary & tertiary buds
Different levels of cold tolerance and crop potential
Bud fruitfulness Ability of the bud to produce fruit. Often stated as clusters per shoot or weight of fruit per shoot.
Base Bud or base node First bud on a cane, nearest the base; small and typically not producing a fruiting shoot in many cultivars. Node Conspicuous joints of shoots and canes, where the leaves, tendrils, clusters and buds are located. Internode Portion of shoot between two nodes. Lignification The process that begins in late summer, whereby shoots or other vine organs accumulate a polymeric compound called lignin, which allows the stems to become resistant to cold and water loss. Lignin is incorporated into a complex tissue known as the periderm on the surface of grapevine canes.
In common terms, the periderm is the bark that forms on the surface of shoots as they mature into canes. Cane Shoot that has matured to a woody condition 1 growing season old Bark smooth, intact
Cane or older?
Cane bark smooth, intact
Older wood has splitting, shredding bark
Fruiting wood One year old wood (canes) that will produce the next season’s crop. Spur A cane that has been pruned back to a small number of nodes.
Renewal spur A cane pruned to 1 or 2 nodes, generally on a cordon. It’s primary purpose is to provide a cane originating in a particular location for fruiting the following season. Cordon or Arm Lateral woody parts, typically along wires Typically 2 years old or older
Head Upper portion of a vine consisting of the top of the trunk(s) and the junction of the arms and/or origin of canes. Trunk Upright woody structure, 1-? years old Supports upper parts of vine
Roots
Relatively deep rooted
Most feeder roots in top 12 inches
Own-rooted vs. grafted rootstocks
Sources
MSU Bulletin E-2930
Sources
Ohio Bulletin No. 815
Sources
Sources
Sources
http://eviticulture.org/glossary-of-grape-terms/