Certified Somm Exam ~ Viticulture & Vinification.
GOBELET SYSTEM ? - ANS An ancient technique common in the Southern Rhône and
Southern Italy, wherein the vine, often unsupported, resembles a goblet, with each
year's fruiting canes extending from the spur-pruned, shortened arms atop the trunk
BUDBREAK ? - ANS The first stage in the life cycle of the grape vine wherein the first
small shoots and leaves will break through buds left intact by winter pruning.
FLOWERING ? - ANS The second stage in the life cycle of the grape vine that occurs 6-
13 weeks after budbreak. During this period, the embryo bunches bloom into small
flowers for about 10 days. During this time, the self pollinating grapevine begins the
process of fertilization.
FRUIT SET ? - ANS The third stage in the life cycle of the grape vine that occurs after
flowering. This is the point where embryo bunches turn into true grape clusters.
VERAISON ? - ANS The fourth stage in the life cycle of the grape vine wherein the
grapes begin to ripen. They soften and change color, and acidity decreases.
HARVEST ? - ANS The final stage in the life cycle of a grape vine.
VENDANGE ? - ANS French term for Harvest
CALIFORNIA HEAT SUMMATION INDEX ? - ANS The scale which divides climates
into five regions based on the number of degree days.
DEGREES DAYS ? - ANS The calculation which determines a particular regions region
under the California Heat Summation Index. It is calculated by multiplying the days in
each month of the growing season by the mean number of degrees over 50(f) for that
month
REGION 1? - ANS Less than 2,500° days F
REGION 2 ? - ANS 2,500-3,000° days F
REGION 3 ? - ANS 3,000-3,500° days F
REGION 4 ? - ANS 3,500-4,000° days F
WATER STRESS ? - ANS A condition that promotes smaller berry size and yields but
will lead to interrupted ripening and complete shutdown of the vine if too severe
MACROCLIMATE ? - ANS The regional climate
MESOCLIMATE ? - ANS The climate of a particular vineyard
, MICROCLIMATE ? - ANS The climate in and around a vine canopy
CLONAL SELECTION ? - ANS The use and reproduction of a single vine selected for a
variety of different attributes.
MASS SELECTION ? - ANS A form of vineyard management wherein the grower
selects budwood for replanting from a number of vines through the vineyard, rather than
single clones
SELECTION MASSALE ? - ANS French term for Mass Selection
VINE TRAINING ? - ANS The processes of pruning, shaping, and trellising the vine
HEAD TRAINING ? - ANS Vines with no permanent head, where the trunk ends in a
knob.
CORDON TRAINED ? - ANS The vine has at least one permanent cane that extends
from the trunk, called an arm
PHYLLOXERA ? - ANS An aphid that feeds on the roots of vines, is native to the
Eastern United States, but it quickly spread through Europe from cuttings imported to
the Southern Rhône Valley in the early 1860's, and is now present in all of the world's
major winegrowing countries-- with the notable exception of Chile.
DOWNY MILDEW / PERONOSPORA ? - ANS Uncinula necator. Fungal Disease native
to North America. Greatly inhibits bunch development and ripening, and is controlled by
applications of sulfur and other fungicides
EUTYPA DIEBACK ? - ANS Phomopsis viticola. Fungal Disease common in
mediterranean climates. It is carried by rain and results in stunted shoot growth.
BLACK ROT ? - ANS Guignardia Bidwelli. Fungal Disease native to North America. Can
be detected by its signature black spots that it leaves on the vines shoots, leaves, and
berries. Can be controlled through fungicide.
BUNCH ROT ? - ANS Fungal Disease. Is a broad term for a number of fungi species. In
general, it reduces crop yields and imparts a moldy off-flavor to a finished wine. Botrytis
bunch rot is lumped into this category.
BORDEAUX MIXTURE ? - ANS A spray of copper sulfate, water, and lime. Developed
in 1855 to prevent outbreaks of downy mildew
PHOMOPSIS VITICOLA ? - ANS The fungus which causes Eutypa Dieback
GUIGNARDIA BIDWELLI ? - ANS The fungus which causes Black Rot
GOBELET SYSTEM ? - ANS An ancient technique common in the Southern Rhône and
Southern Italy, wherein the vine, often unsupported, resembles a goblet, with each
year's fruiting canes extending from the spur-pruned, shortened arms atop the trunk
BUDBREAK ? - ANS The first stage in the life cycle of the grape vine wherein the first
small shoots and leaves will break through buds left intact by winter pruning.
FLOWERING ? - ANS The second stage in the life cycle of the grape vine that occurs 6-
13 weeks after budbreak. During this period, the embryo bunches bloom into small
flowers for about 10 days. During this time, the self pollinating grapevine begins the
process of fertilization.
FRUIT SET ? - ANS The third stage in the life cycle of the grape vine that occurs after
flowering. This is the point where embryo bunches turn into true grape clusters.
VERAISON ? - ANS The fourth stage in the life cycle of the grape vine wherein the
grapes begin to ripen. They soften and change color, and acidity decreases.
HARVEST ? - ANS The final stage in the life cycle of a grape vine.
VENDANGE ? - ANS French term for Harvest
CALIFORNIA HEAT SUMMATION INDEX ? - ANS The scale which divides climates
into five regions based on the number of degree days.
DEGREES DAYS ? - ANS The calculation which determines a particular regions region
under the California Heat Summation Index. It is calculated by multiplying the days in
each month of the growing season by the mean number of degrees over 50(f) for that
month
REGION 1? - ANS Less than 2,500° days F
REGION 2 ? - ANS 2,500-3,000° days F
REGION 3 ? - ANS 3,000-3,500° days F
REGION 4 ? - ANS 3,500-4,000° days F
WATER STRESS ? - ANS A condition that promotes smaller berry size and yields but
will lead to interrupted ripening and complete shutdown of the vine if too severe
MACROCLIMATE ? - ANS The regional climate
MESOCLIMATE ? - ANS The climate of a particular vineyard
, MICROCLIMATE ? - ANS The climate in and around a vine canopy
CLONAL SELECTION ? - ANS The use and reproduction of a single vine selected for a
variety of different attributes.
MASS SELECTION ? - ANS A form of vineyard management wherein the grower
selects budwood for replanting from a number of vines through the vineyard, rather than
single clones
SELECTION MASSALE ? - ANS French term for Mass Selection
VINE TRAINING ? - ANS The processes of pruning, shaping, and trellising the vine
HEAD TRAINING ? - ANS Vines with no permanent head, where the trunk ends in a
knob.
CORDON TRAINED ? - ANS The vine has at least one permanent cane that extends
from the trunk, called an arm
PHYLLOXERA ? - ANS An aphid that feeds on the roots of vines, is native to the
Eastern United States, but it quickly spread through Europe from cuttings imported to
the Southern Rhône Valley in the early 1860's, and is now present in all of the world's
major winegrowing countries-- with the notable exception of Chile.
DOWNY MILDEW / PERONOSPORA ? - ANS Uncinula necator. Fungal Disease native
to North America. Greatly inhibits bunch development and ripening, and is controlled by
applications of sulfur and other fungicides
EUTYPA DIEBACK ? - ANS Phomopsis viticola. Fungal Disease common in
mediterranean climates. It is carried by rain and results in stunted shoot growth.
BLACK ROT ? - ANS Guignardia Bidwelli. Fungal Disease native to North America. Can
be detected by its signature black spots that it leaves on the vines shoots, leaves, and
berries. Can be controlled through fungicide.
BUNCH ROT ? - ANS Fungal Disease. Is a broad term for a number of fungi species. In
general, it reduces crop yields and imparts a moldy off-flavor to a finished wine. Botrytis
bunch rot is lumped into this category.
BORDEAUX MIXTURE ? - ANS A spray of copper sulfate, water, and lime. Developed
in 1855 to prevent outbreaks of downy mildew
PHOMOPSIS VITICOLA ? - ANS The fungus which causes Eutypa Dieback
GUIGNARDIA BIDWELLI ? - ANS The fungus which causes Black Rot
