WSC111 Grape and Wine Science (8)

This subject covers an introduction to factors that have influenced world-wide viticulture and wine distribution and in particular the evolution of the Australian wine industry. Basic winemaking processes and the major wine types are discussed. The subject examines the biology and anatomy of the grapevine, the life cycle and grapevine propagation techniques used in vine improvement and factors limiting grape production. Identification and characteristics of grapevine cultivars and the use of hybrids and rootstocks in viticulture and wine production are covered. Basic scientific experimentation and statistics as applied to grape and wine production and precision viticulture are introduced.

Subject Outlines
Current CSU students can view Subject Outlines for recent sessions. Please note that Subject Outlines and assessment tasks are updated each session.

Availability

* Offering has a residential school. Please view following information for further details.

Session 2 (60)
Online *
Wagga Wagga Campus

Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: WSC111. Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject Information

Grading System

HD/FL

Duration

One session

School

School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • Be able to demonstrate an awareness of the Australian and International Wine Industries including historical and geographical factors
  • Be able to identify phenological stages of the grapevine and identify the vegetative and reproductive structures of a grapevine
  • Be able to describe some of the limiting factors in grape and wine production.
  • Be able to describe the essential differences and basic production steps of the winemaking process to produce the major wine types.
  • Be able to describe the fundamental interrelationships between grape berry composition, viticultural conditions and wine produced.
  • Be able to demonstrate an understanding of the basic methodology in data processing and analysis as it relates to grape and wine production.

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:
  • History of the vine and the Australian Wine Industry
  • Grapevine structure, biology and anatomy
  • Annual growth cycle of the grapevine
  • Fruit development and ripening
  • A botanical classification of Vitis
  • Hybrids and rootstocks and vine of the future
  • Introduction to precision viticulture
  • Grape sampling and data analysis
  • Introduction to wine production
  • The wine production processes

Residential School

This subject contains a 2 day Compulsory Residential School.

The residential school will be composed of tutorials and practicals covering aspects of vine anatomy, vine identification and vine propagation, wine production processes, wine tasting, and visit to CSU vineyard.

Special Resources

This subject has a residential school. Students will need to cover the cost of travel to campus and accommodation on campus. All students are required to have a lab coat, safety glasses and covered footwear for lab based practicals.

Contact

Current Students

For any enquiries about subject selection or course structure please contact Student Central or ask@csu.edu.au or phone on 1800 275 278.

Prospective Students

For further information about Charles Sturt University, or this course offering, please contact info.csu on 1800 275 278 (free call within Australia) or enquire online.

The information contained in the 2018 CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: August 2018. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.

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