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Displaying items by tag: viticulture
Vine to Wine: A Year of Viti/Vini - October
In October, most areas of the northern hemisphere are in harvest and going full out!
Many white varieties finish in early October. Although some reds (particularly early-ripening Pinot Noir) may have started harvest in September, generally, October is the month when most red varieties are picked.
In September’s post, we explored the harvest parameters for white grapes. The factors that a winemaker considers when picking red grapes are similar… flavor, acid, sugar, etc. However, there are two key harvest parameters that are more important (and impactful) for reds than whites: tannin ripeness and anthocyanin accumulation (color).
Why Altitude And Genetic Diversity Will Save Wine with Dr Laura Catena
Summary:
Thirty years ago, Nicolás Catena pioneered high-altitude viticulture in Argentina.
While searching for elegance and concentration, the Catena family found a strategy that today can be used for combatting climate change: "go higher". Malbec, Argentina’s leading red varietal was in decline and being pulled out.
Today, high-altitude Malbec has led to the rebirth of Argentine wine on the world stage. Ungrafted vines and ancient pre-phylloxera vine selections have something to do with this wine revolution. Join us to learn about how the Catena Institute of Wine uses science to preserve the culture and nature behind wine.
Presenter: Dr Laura Catena
Dr Laura Catena is a Harvard and Stanford-trained biologist and physician, founder of the Catena Institute of Wine in Argentina, and managing director of Bodega Catena Zapata (Est. 1902). Since 1995, the Catena Institute has helped to elevate the Malbec varietal and Argentine wine as a whole. Under Laura’s leadership, Bodega Catena Zapata has earned six 100-point wine ratings and was voted the most awarded world winery by VIVINO WINE STYLE AWARDS. Laura is author of three books, “Vino Argentino,” “Gold in the Vineyards” and the upcoming “Malbec mon amour.” She lives with her husband and three children between Mendoza, Argentina, and San Francisco, California, where she volunteers as a street physician with the Department of Public Health.
Vine to Wine: A Year of Viti/Vini - September
Now that fall has arrived, winemakers turn their attention to the harvest. In most of the northern hemisphere, harvest usually begins by the middle of this month, if not earlier. It is an exciting time. The culmination of all the hard work in the vineyards is realized in the moments the grapes are picked. Vineyard managers can relax now, but the winemaker’s job is just getting started.
Vine to Wine: A Year of Viti/Vini - August
August is the calm before the harvest storm. Vegetative growth has slowed considerably and, in some climates, stopped completely due to water stress. The vine now turns its efforts to ripening the fruit that it has developed earlier in the season. Although the berries are close to their final size, the skins will begin to thin, change color, and gain considerably more weight as they fill with sugar produced by the leaves. In climates that experience rain during this period, splitting becomes a risk.
The Grafted Grapevine Part III: Rootstocks, a solution for climate change?
Summary:
THE GRAFTED GRAPEVINE (a three-part series)
Welcome back to our three-part viticultural series that takes a deep dive into the grafted grapevine. Thomas Dormegnies, of the highly respected Berillon Nursery in France, will share his expertise and experience to help you discover how grafted grapevines are produced, the impact of high-quality vine plant material on viticulture, how diversity and sustainability in the vineyard starts from the grafted grapevine plant itself and finally the importance of rootstocks.
Part III: Rootstocks, a solution for climate change?
For the final webinar of the series, Thomas will focus on rootstocks, the living link between scion and soil. Berillon has a collection of 20 different rootstock varieties that can accommodate a wide variety of different pedological and climatic constraints. One rootstock does not fit all! Thomas will discuss this link between rootstock and terroir, and how they may impact flavor. As climate continues to change, as farming practices continue to change, rootstocks have been and are increasingly key to vine health. Find out why!
Please find below the abstracts of the two other webinars in this series:
Part I: How to produce a grafted grapevine?
Join Thomas Dormegnies of Berillon Nursery as he walks us through grafted grapevine production from start to finish. Learn the steps, the vocabulary, and the thought processes behind the technique! Thomas will discuss reception and preparation of scions and rootstocks, whip and tongue (English cleft) grafting, stratification, planting, maintenance, sorting, hot water treatment and storage before delivery. This webinar will cover the basics in preparation for a deep dive into cloning and breeding on July 5.
Part II: How to Maintain Diversity?
Join Thomas for Part II of the Grafted Grapevine series as he explores the genetic mass selection of grape varieties intended for grafting. Berillons team of breeders only source its scion material from old vine vineyards in order to identify, build-upon and preserve intra-varietal genetic diversity. The selected cuttings are tested to make sure the specimens are virus-free before being propagated. These same steps are carried out for international, regional, heritage and forgotten grape varieties. The next session will focus on rootstocks and their relationship to soil and climatic stresses.
Presenter: Thomas Dormegnies
Vine Breeder and Engineer at Berillon Nursery
Thomas graduated from the Agronomic Engineering School of Rennes in Plant Selection and Improvement and of Montpellier in Viticulture-Oenology, He has been working as a vine breeder in the wine nursery for 18 years. This work of plant archeology, also called "mass selection", consists of identifying future candidates found in old vineyards and breeding them in the nursery.
Passionate about plants, he roams the old vineyards of France and Europe in search of the widest possible genetic diversity, whether for the most multiplied international grape varieties or "modest" or forgotten grape varieties. This work requires a solid knowledge of plant physiology as well as ampelography, or the art of distinguishing grape varieties from one another using leaves, twigs or fruits.
His activity within the Berillon Nursery (www. lilian-berillon. fr) also leads him to follow the planting projects of their clients, advising them both on the choice of their plant material and on the management of their soils. This is a comprehensive approach that links agronomy and pedology for the sake of sustainability and transmission of plantations.
Thomas is also a winemaker along the French Atlantic coast, he, therefore, has complete experience of the wine industry, from the selection of future vines to the vinification and marketing of the wines.
Vine to Wine: A Year of Viti/Vini - July
By July, the period of rapid shoot growth is over. The vine has now created all the leaves needed to ripen its fruit. In wet climates, shoot growth may continue but at a much slower pace. In dry climates, shoot growth stops completely. In very dry areas, the tendrils on the shoot can even dry out completely!
The Grafted Grapevine Part II: How to Maintain Diversity?
Summary:
THE GRAFTED GRAPEVINE (a three-part series)
Welcome back to our three-part viticultural series that takes a deep dive into the grafted grapevine. Thomas Dormegnies, of the highly respected Berillon Nursery in France, will share his expertise and experience to help you discover how grafted grapevines are produced, the impact of high-quality vine plant material on viticulture, how diversity and sustainability in the vineyard starts from the grafted grapevine plant itself and finally the importance of rootstocks.
Part II: How to Maintain Diversity?
Join Thomas for Part II of the Grafted Grapevine series as he explores the genetic mass selection of grape varieties intended for grafting. Berillons team of breeders only source its scion material from old vine vineyards in order to identify, build-upon and preserve intra-varietal genetic diversity. The selected cuttings are tested to make sure the specimens are virus-free before being propagated. These same steps are carried out for international, regional, heritage and forgotten grape varieties. The next session will focus on rootstocks and their relationship to soil and climatic stresses.
Please find below the abstracts of the two other webinars in this series:
Part I: How to produce a grafted grapevine?
Join Thomas Dormegnies of Berillon Nursery as he walks us through grafted grapevine production from start to finish. Learn the steps, the vocabulary, and the thought processes behind the technique! Thomas will discuss reception and preparation of scions and rootstocks, whip and tongue (English cleft) grafting, stratification, planting, maintenance, sorting, hot water treatment and storage before delivery. This webinar will cover the basics in preparation for a deep dive into cloning and breeding on July 5.
Part III: Rootstocks, a solution for climate change?
For the final webinar of the series, Thomas will focuses on rootstocks, the living link between scion and soil. Berillon has a collection of 20 different rootstock varieties that can accommodate a wide variety of different pedological and climatic constraints. One rootstock does not fit all! Thomas will discuss this link between rootstock and terroir, and how they may impact flavor. As climate continues to change, as farming practices continue to change, rootstocks have been and are increasingly key to vine health. Find out why!
Presenter: Thomas Dormegnies
Vine Breeder and Engineer at Berillon Nursery
Thomas graduated from the Agronomic Engineering School of Rennes in Plant Selection and Improvement and of Montpellier in Viticulture-Oenology, He has been working as a vine breeder in the wine nursery for 18 years. This work of plant archeology, also called "mass selection", consists of identifying future candidates found in old vineyards and breeding them in the nursery.
Passionate about plants, he roams the old vineyards of France and Europe in search of the widest possible genetic diversity, whether for the most multiplied international grape varieties or "modest" or forgotten grape varieties. This work requires a solid knowledge of plant physiology as well as ampelography, or the art of distinguishing grape varieties from one another using leaves, twigs or fruits.
His activity within the Berillon Nursery (www. lilian-berillon. fr) also leads him to follow the planting projects of their clients, advising them both on the choice of their plant material and on the management of their soils. This is a comprehensive approach that links agronomy and pedology for the sake of sustainability and transmission of plantations.
Thomas is also a winemaker along the French Atlantic coast, he therefore has complete experience of the wine industry, from the selection of future vines to the vinification and marketing of the wines.
It's the Nitrogen, of course! The Backstory of Biodynamics with Romana Echensperger, MW
Summary:
An understanding of what biodynamics is and why it has so many young followers today begins with a look at history and the question of why Rudolf Steiner's impulse came about in Germany, in 1924, during the interwar years. The questions that farmers asked themselves then are as relevant today as they were then and have a lot to do with the fertiliser issue. In this webinar, we will take a look at this history and what is modern about the 100 year old ideas.
Presenter: Romana Echensperger, MW
Romana Echensperger MW worked for many years as head sommelier in various top restaurants. Among other things, she was responsible for a 1000-item wine list with exclusively German wines at Berlin's Quadriga restaurant. In 2005, she was voted the best sommelier in Berlin. In addition, she was head sommelier at the Vendome restaurant near Cologne, which is awarded with 3 stars in the Michelin Guide. Since 2015 she can call herself a Master of Wine. Today she works independently as a consultant, journalist and in education.
Recently her comprehensive book about biodynamic top winemakers in German-speaking countries was published.
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