Fruiting Zone Management
Definition - What does Fruiting Zone Management mean?
Fruiting zone management is a sub specialty of canopy management that specifically addresses the practices implemented in the microclimate of the fruiting zone of the grape vine. Fruiting zone management is a set of practices implemented to control diseases and pests while also promoting the ripening of the fruit and include the monitoring of the color, sugar and flavor compounds in the grapes.
WineFrog explains Fruiting Zone Management
Fruiting zone management ensures that the grapes are in the optimal micro-climate in order to ripen to their peak of color, flavor and sugar levels. As a subset of canopy management, fruiting zone management includes the pruning and training of the canopy, but the focus is not on what is best for the vine, rather what is the best micro-climate and environment for the grapes to ripen?
Fruiting zone management ensures ripe grapes and prevents disease and pests by controlling the humidity, the canopy cover (of leaves) while increasing sunlight and temperature to the grapes. How and when fruiting zone management techniques are implemented depends on the climate of the region and the type of variety being grown and the overall style and practices of the vineyard. For instance, in a particularly dry, hot season, more leaves may be left on the canopy, while in wetter seasons, more leaves may be removed to prevent moisture build-up.
