NNEK14007U Applied Cool Climate Viticulture and Enology

Volume 2016/2017
Education

MSc Programme in Food Science and Technology

Content

The handling and technology of wine making will include: Handling before fermentation, followed by fermentation which include yeast species, fermentation biochemistry, influence of temperature, sugar, alcohol and oxygen. Moreover subjects like malolactic fermentation, stabilisation, clarification and aging (oak) will be covered. The topics will be covered in theory and hands on experience will be attained on selected aspects through micro vinification experiments.

Finally the course will focus on important wine components such as aroma, phenols and acids from both a theoretical and an applied angle. The students will analyse and discuss aroma profiles in some commercial wines and the management of phenol and acid profile will be studied in micro scale experiments. Students will be familiar with the art of wine tasting and appreciation.

Learning Outcome

The course addresses students within horticulture, agriculture and food science and technology. A fundamental and applied understanding of wine cultivation and processing will be given and the complex effects on final wine quality will be elaborated.

Students will through hands on experiments expand the theoretical comprehension of quality components in wine from a genetic, physiological, biochemical, microbiological and organoleptic perspective. The course addresses these aspects in relation to possibilities and limitations faced in cool climate winegrowing regions.

 

After completing the course the students will be able to:

 Knowledge
-describe the biological and technological basis for production of grapes and wine.
- identify and describe critical steps and procedures in the vinification process with special focus on small scale vinification

 Skills
- apply basic principles in microbiology, biochemistry and physiology to the applied science of viticulture and vinification methods.
- hands on experience with micro vinification and production of specific vine styles
- explain how the genotype of the grape interacts with both the local 'terroir', the growing techniques and methods of vinification, in the determination of wine quality.

 Competences
- transfer a comprehension in crop or food science to new cross disciplinary areas

 

The course includes an introduction to wine history, wine legislation and definition of different wine types (table wine, fortified wines etc). An overview is given to major wine growing regions, wines stiles and cultivars grown. The impact and limitations of climate on cultivar performance and wine quality components gets special attention. Furthermore, these factors are analysed and related to the choice of growing techniques and methods of vinification.

Basic aspects of morphology, physiology and developmental patterns of grapes are covered. An understanding of the major growing systems and canopy management procedures as well as the influence of management and preharvest factors (including soil conditions and crop load) on the quality of grapes and the final wine product will be developed. Methods for analysis of plant performance will be discussed in hands on exercises.

Jackson, R. S. Wine Science, principles and applications. Third edition 2008. ISBN 978-0-12-373646-8

Supported by a few journal papers.

The course Cool Climate Viticulture and Enology (LPLF 10294) is not alowed to be take together with this course due to overlap. Credits can only be given to one of these.
Basic course skills in:
Biochemistry
Microbiology or Food microbiology
Students must have experience in project writing
Besides lectures and seminars the course will include extensive use of hands on exercises where the students are working with wine making, wine evaluation and wine analysis or aspects of viticulture (grape morphology, plant development and performance). The exercises aim to give a more in-depth specialization in viticulture and enology. The exercises are performed in groups. In addition a major practical winemaking project is made in groups on a topic of special interest. Each group will have a supervisor connected to the major project. The major project is presented to the class in a final colloquium.
A significant component of the course is an 8 day excursion to some of the winegrowing regions of Germany including a study period at the campus in Geisenheim, University of Wiesbaden. The excursion and study program in Geisenheim includes both aspects of viticulture and enology. Participation is mandatory and students have to count in a financial contribution to the excursion.
Two half day excursions to wineries in DK is also included.
The course is taught parallel to a 7.5 ECTS theoretical course (see LPLF10294) and the excursions includes students of both courses.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Colloquia
  • 20
  • Excursions
  • 50
  • Lectures
  • 30
  • Practical exercises
  • 125
  • Preparation
  • 40
  • Project work
  • 147
  • Total
  • 412
Credit
15 ECTS
Type of assessment
Oral examination, 20 min
Oral examination in group project report followed by examination in exercise reports and general curriculum
Weight of the exam components:
1/3 exercise reports
1/3 project oral examination
1/3 oral in curriculum
Exam registration requirements

Accepted projectreport
4 exercise reports accepted, 1 cultivar poster accepted

Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
One internal examiner
Exam period

Last Thursday in the block

Re-exam

The excercise reports and the cultivar poster must be handed in 2 weeks before signing up for the re-exam if the requirements are not met. Otherwise sam as ordinary exam.

 

Criteria for exam assesment

see the learning outcome