Viticulture Terms

Question 1

débourrement

Answer 1

budburst, budbreak

• 1st new green tissue emerges from each bud

Question 2

millerandage

Answer 2

hens and chicks

• Grape clusters with berries that vary in size and number of seeds
• Caused by cold weather at flowering, mineral deficiency, or disease
• Results in reduced yields and uneven ripening

Question 3

taille

Answer 3

pruning

• Excess wood is removed from the dormant vine, strategically leaving only buds that will produce

Question 4

porte-greffe

Answer 4

rootstock

• portion of the vine in contact with the soil
• typically phylloxera resistant

Question 5

couloure

Answer 5

uneven set

• Occurs when a significant number of berries do not set after flowering
• Caused by cold weather during flowering or mineral deficiency
• Results in reduced yields

Question 6

inflorescence

Answer 6

Cluster of flowers that, after berry set, becomes a grape cluster

Question 7

shot berries

Answer 7

Small, hard, green berries that contain no seeds

Question 8

suckering

Answer 8

Removing small, unwanted shoots that grow from buds, not yet developed, on the trunk and cordon

Question 9

Vitis berlandieri

Answer 9

• Species of grape commonly used for rootstock
• Good for limestone soils but does not graft well

Question 10

Vitis riparia

Answer 10

• Species of grape commonly used for rootstock
• Tolerates wet soils
• Has a devigorating (slowing of shoot elongation) effect on the vine
• Induces early ripening

Question 11

shoot devigoration

Answer 11

natural slowing of shoot elongation

usually due to water stress