What is Canopy Management?
Techniques for managing vine leaves and shoots to optimize grape ripening.
Understanding Canopy Management
Canopy management refers to all practices affecting vine leaves and shoots: leaf pulling, shoot positioning, hedging, and trellising. Proper canopy management ensures grapes receive optimal sunlight for ripening while protecting them from sunburn. It also improves air circulation to prevent disease. Different climates and grape varieties require different approaches—what works in cool Burgundy differs from hot Napa.
Why It Matters
Canopy management directly affects grape quality by influencing ripeness, disease pressure, and flavor development. Good viticulture is as important as winemaking.
Examples
- 1Leaf pulling exposes grapes to sunlight for even ripening
- 2Dense canopies in humid regions promote disease
- 3VSP (vertical shoot positioning) is common for quality wine production
Related Wine Terms
Quick Definition
"Techniques for managing vine leaves and shoots to optimize grape ripening."
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The complete natural environment in which a wine is produced, including soil, climate, and topography.
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