The biochemical process in plants (i.e. respiration, also dissimilation) that provides the energy that is absolutely necessary for growth, as is the case with the vine. This can also be described as the counterpart to photosynthesis, because conversely to the latter (as in humans and animals) oxygen is consumed and carbon dioxide is released, and no sunlight is needed directly. Indirectly, however, the process is also dependent on sunlight because it requires or consumes some substances produced during photosynthesis for respiration. In contrast to photosynthesis, amino acids, acids, starch and sugar are broken down at night to produce energy. Among others, malic acid is decomposed. High temperature can cause heat stress, which increases the respiration rate enormously by double in each case with an increase of 10 °Celsius. This results in the phenomenon of low-acid wines in very hot wine-growing regions.
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The Wine lexicon helps me to stay up to date and refresh my knowledge. Thank you for this Lexicon that will never end in terms of topicality! That's what makes it so exciting to visit more often.
Thorsten Rahn
Restaurantleiter, Sommelier, Weindozent und Autor; Dresden