Terroir 2004 banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 Evaluation of the site index model for viticultural zoning

Evaluation of the site index model for viticultural zoning

Abstract

[English version below]

Une variable composite, dénommée Indice de Site (SI), intégrant les propriétés physiques du sol et le mésoclimat, avait été proposée pour caractériser les terroirs dans le cadre d’une étude des vignobles de Cabernet Sauvignon de Hawke’s Bay en Nouvelle Zélande. L’objet du présent exposé est l’analyse de bases de données viticoles du Val de Loire (France) constituées à partir de parcelles d’essai « terroirs » de Cabernet franc et de Chenin, sur de plus longues périodes. Dans les cas où les valeurs du SI étaient faibles, aucune corrélations entre le SI et les paramètre viticole n’ont été observés. L’index de site peut être un outil additionel s’ajoutant à la liste des charactéristiques servant à évaluer les vignobles. Le SI serait particulièrement utile lorsque les variables tel que profondeur du sol, texture, présence de cailloux, de même que les conditions hydriques et température ambiante de l’air sont particulièrement différentes au niveau des sites comparés.

A composite variable termed the Site Index (SI), integrating soil physical properties and mesoclimate, was previously proposed for characterisation of vineyard sites based on a three-year study of Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards in the Hawke’s Bay region of New Zealand. In this paper, viticultural data collected from Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc vineyard sites in the Loire Valley (France) were analysed. These analyses provided an opportunity for validation and understanding of limitations of the SI model. The relationship between SI and Chenin Blanc fruit composition in Anjou was found to be similar to that determined in the New Zealand study. In this study, a modified SI that included winter rainfall was found to be a better predictor of grapevine vigour than original SI. In cases when the range of SI values between sites was small, no significant correlation between SI and viticultural variables was observed. Factor analysis extracted one factor best related to SI and fruit quality potential, and the second factor related to modified SI that included winter rainfall and vegetative vigour. It was determined that SI has the potential to be included as an additional indicator to the range of attributes available for vineyard site evaluation. It would be particularly useful where input variables (soil depth, texture, rockiness, water influx and air temperature) are considerably different between sites that are being compared.

DOI:

Publication date: January 12, 2022

Issue: Terroir 2004

Type: Article

Authors

D. Tesic (1) and G. Barbeau (2)

(1) National Wine and Grape Industry Centre, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia
(2) Unite de recherches sur le vigne et le vin, INRA Centre d’Angers. 42, Rue Georges Morel BP57, 49071 Beaucouze CEDEX, France

Contact the author

Keywords

Terroir, modelling, phenology, fruit composition, Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Franc

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Terroir 2004

Citation

Related articles…

The impacts of frozen material-other-than-grapes (MOG) on aroma compounds of red wine varieties

An undesirable note called “floral taint” has been observed in red wines by winemakers in the Niagara region caused by large volumes of frozen leaves and petioles [materials-other-than-grapes (MOG)] introduced during mechanical harvest and subsequent winemaking late in the season. The volatiles, which we hypothesized are responsible, are primarily terpenes, norisoprenoids, and specific esters in frozen leaves and petioles. The purpose of this study was to investigate the volatile compounds which may cause the floral taint problem and explore how much of them (thresholds) may lead to the problem. Also, the glycosidic precursors of some of these compounds were analyzed to see the changes happening during frost events.

Aromatic profile of six different clones of Chardonnay grape berries in Minas Gerais (Brazil)

Aromas are one of the key points in food analysis since they are related to character, quality and consequently consumer acceptance. It is not different in the winery industry, where the aromatic profile is a combination of viticultural and oenological practices. Based on the development of more aromatic clones and on the potential to produce sparkling wines at Caldas, in the southern region of Minas Gerais (Brazil) (21°55´S and 46°23´W, altitude 1,100m), the aim of this work was the determination of volatile compounds in six different clones of Chardonnay grape berries to better understand which compounds add bouquet to the wine, and additionally comprehend the impacts of the edaphoclimatic and annual conditions on the improvement of grape-growing and winemaking practices.

Improving stilbenes in vitis Labrusca L. Grapes through methyl jasmonate applications

Grapes (Vitis sp.) are considered a major source of phenolic compounds such as flavonols, anthocyanins and stilbenes. Studies related to the beneficial effects of these compounds on health have encouraged research aimed at increasing their concentration in fruits. On this behalf, several plant growth regulators such as jasmonic acid and its volatile ester, methyl-jasmonate (MeJa), have demonstrated promising results in many fruits. However, Brazilian subtropical climate might interfere on treatment response. The present study aims to evaluate the application of MeJa in the pre-harvest period in Concord and Isabel Precoce grapes (Vitis labrusca L.).

Service crop effects on grapevine water and nitrogen status and yield under Mediterranean climate

Service crops in vineyard can provide multiple ecosystem services but they can also lead to competition with the grapevine for soil resources in the Mediterranean region due to potential severe droughts (Garcia et al., 2018). One of the levers of action to manage this competition is the choice of species adapted in terms of growth dynamics and water and nutrients’ needs. The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of temporary service crops on grapevine water and nitrogen status and grapevine yield and yield components in a Mediterranean vineyard.

Impact of deficit irrigation strategies on terpene concentration in Gewürztraminer grapes

Deficit irrigation is a viticultural practice often applied to improve the phenolic composition of red grapes and wines. However, the impact of this practice on grape terpenes – key aromatics for several grapes and wines – remains largely unknown. This study investigated the impact of deficit irrigation strategies on free and glycosylated terpenes in Gewürztraminer grapes. In a field study conducted in Oliver, BC, in 2016, 2017, and 2018, deficit irrigation regimes were applied to Gewürztraminer vines at different developmental stages (pre-veraison = Early Deficit, ED; post-veraison = Late Deficit, LD; throughout the season = Prolonged Deficit, PD). A well-irrigated control (CN) treatment was also established.