canopy management
A complex series of techniques including vine spacing, trellising (see trellis system), shoot positioning, and leaf removal to improve both light and air circulation in an effort to create the optimal grape-growing environment for maximum flavor, color, and ripeness of the grapes. Such techniques are specific to the vineyard site, contingent on such things as soil, grape variety, and microclimate. Proper canopy management can affect the color, flavor, and/or structure of grapes. It can also help prevent disease. For instance, removing leaves and shoots improves aeration, thereby reducing susceptibility to rot and mildew on grape clusters. There’s an art to removing excess foliage, however. Enough leaves must be left on the vine to provide the required energy for grape maturation; excessive leaf removal can bleach the fruit’s color, cause sunburn, or impede ripening. On the other hand, vineyards in warmer areas require less leaf removal than those in cooler climes. In the end, the perfect balance between vegetative growth and grape production will mean the difference between an ordinary wine and one of distinction. See also viticulture.
The New Wine Lovers Companion, 2nd Edition, by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst. Copyright © (1) 2003, 1995 by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst. Reprinted by arrangement with Barron's Educational Series, Inc.