Terroir 2004 banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 Cartographie des terroirs viticoles: valorisation des résultats par un logiciel de consultation dynamique de cartes

Cartographie des terroirs viticoles: valorisation des résultats par un logiciel de consultation dynamique de cartes

Abstract

[English version below]

Pour son travail de cartographie et de caractérisation des terroirs, la Cellule Terroirs Viticoles utilise la méthode développée par l’Unité Vigne et Vin du Centre INRA d’Angers. Cette méthode reconnue au niveau international est appliquée dans les vignobles du Val de Loire à l’échelle du 1/10 000e et est valorisée par des éditions d’Atlas Viticoles à destination des viticulteurs et des organismes techniques. Ces atlas comportent une cartographie précise des terroirs (Unités Terroir de Base, caractéristiques des sols…) ainsi que des cartes conseils afin que le viticulteur puisse adapter ses méthodes de culture de la vigne (choix du cépage et du porte-greffe, choix des pratiques agro-viticoles : taille, enherbement…) et ses pratiques oenologiques au terroir de chaque parcelle. A terme, l’utilisation de ces atlas doit permettre l’adéquation du matériel végétal et des pratiques culturales au terroir, et donc de contribuer à une amélioration de la qualité et de la typicité des vins.
Dans le but de rendre plus aisée et plus attractive cette utilisation, la Cellule Terroirs Viticoles propose désormais la consultation des bases cartographiques en version informatisée. Ces dernières sont accessibles grâce à un logiciel permettant une consultation dynamique des différentes cartes à thèmes proposées dans les Atlas Viticoles. Concrètement, le viticulteur peut sur son poste informatique déplacer la carte affichée à l’écran, changer le thème représenté (Unité de Terroir de Base, profondeur de sol…), zoomer sur une zone précise… En se plaçant à l’endroit souhaité sur la carte par l’intermédiaire de la souris, le viticulteur peut d’un seul clic accéder à une multitude d’informations concernant la zone ou la parcelle sélectionnée. Le parcellaire du viticulteur peut également être numérisé et superposé sur les différentes cartes ce qui permet une localisation plus fine et plus rapide pour l’utilisateur.
Cet outil informatique est donc une réelle évolution pour le viticulteur et dans le cas de caves coopératives, il se révèle être un véritable atout technique notamment dans l’élaboration de cuvées terroirs spécifiques. Dans la gamme des produits informatiques proposés aux viticulteurs, l’Atlas Viticole Informatisé vient compléter les différents logiciels de suivis parcellaire et de gestion de cave pour une meilleure garantie de l’authenticité et de la traçabilité du vin.

For its routine work of characterisation and cartography of viticultural terroirs, the CVVL Terroir Cartography Unit uses the method developed by the INRA-Angers Research Unit on Grapevine and Wine. This method, of international recognition, is presently applied to the cartography of the Val de Loire vineyards (scale : 1/10 000) and valorised through the edition of viticultural atlases for the use of the vine-growers and technical institutes. These atlases propose precise maps of the Basic Terroir Units and soil characteristics as well as maps to assist in the choice of the planting material (variety, rootstock) and cultural practices (inter-row grassing). The objective is to optimise the adaptation of the planting material and the cultural practices to the terroir conditions and, therefore, to improve the quality and the typicalness of the resulting wines. 
In order to facilitate this tool and make it more attractive, the Terroir Cartography Unit is now able to propose a computerised version of the cartographic bases. These are accessible through a software that allows for a dynamic consultation of all the thematic maps proposed in the atlases. In a concrete way, the vine-grower can, on his computer, surf and zoom on the maps or change the topic (Basic Terroir Unit, soil depth, soil water reserve, percentage of gravels, etc…). A simple click on a precise location of the pointer gives access to all the information relative to the site. All the plots of a given vine-grower can be digitalised, and superimposed to the different maps, which allows the user for a quicker and more precise localisation of his sites of interest. 
This computerised tool constitutes a real evolution both for the single vine-growers and the co-operatives, as a new and very technical card to elaborate specific terroir wines. It completes the viticultural and enological software proposed to the growers to improve the monitoring of the vine and elaboration of the wine, to better guarantee the authenticity and the traceability of the product. 

DOI:

Publication date: January 12, 2022

Issue: Terroir 2004

Type: Article

Authors

E. Goulet (1), D. Rioux (1) and G. Barbeau (2)

(1) Cellule « Terroirs Viticoles », Confédération des Vignerons du Val de Loire, 42 rue Georges Morel, 49071 Beaucouzé Cedex
(2) Unité Vigne et Vin, INRA, 42 rue Georges Morel, 49071 Beaucouzé Cedex

Contact the author

Keywords

Cartographie, terroirs, consultation dynamique de cartes
cartography, terroirs, dynamic map consultation

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Terroir 2004

Citation

Related articles…

Estimating bulk stomatal conductance of grapevine canopies

In response to changes in their environment, grapevines regulate transpiration using various physiological mechanisms that alter conductance of water through the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum. Expressed as bulk stomatal conductance at the canopy scale, it varies diurnally in response to changes in vapor pressure deficit and net radiation, and over the season to changes in soil water deficits and hydraulic conductivity of both soil and plant. It is necessary to characterize the response of conductance to these variables to better model how vine transpiration also responds to these variables. Furthermore, to be relevant for vineyard-scale modeling, conductance is best characterized using data collected in a vineyard setting. Applying a crop canopy energy flux model developed by Shuttleworth and Wallace, bulk stomatal conductance was estimated using measurements of individual vine sap flow, temperature and humidity within the vine canopy, and estimates of net radiation absorbed by the vine canopy. These measurements were taken on several vines in a non-irrigated vineyard in Bordeaux France, using equipment that did not interfere with ongoing vineyard operations. An inverted Penman-Monteith equation was then used to calculate bulk stomatal conductance on 15-minute intervals from July to mid-September 2020. Time-series plots show significant diurnal variation and seasonal decreases in conductance, with overall values similar to those in the literature. Global sensitivity analysis using non-parametric regression found transpiration flux and vapor pressure deficit to be the most important input variables to the calculation of bulk stomatal conductance, with absorbed net radiation and bulk boundary layer conductance being much less important. Conversely, bulk stomatal conductance was one of the most important inputs when calculating vine transpiration, further emphasizing the need for characterizing its response to environmental changes for use in vineyard water use modeling.

How can historical cultivars mitigate the effects of climate change?

IFV, INRAe and the national network “Partenaires de la Sélection Vigne” representing 37 organizations from the different wine regions, have been working increasingly closely over the last 2 decades towards the preservation of the French varietal patrimony. There are approximately 600 patrimonial varieties according to INRAe and SupAgro Montpellier experts, including ancient cultivars (400) and intravarietal crossbreeds obtained since the 19th century. In the context of a drastic reduction in such varieties from the mid 1980’s in favor of mainstream varieties, it was essential to carry out an inventory of old vines and vineyards. INRAe Vassal collection plays a key role here as it holds the largest diversity available, along with a rich bibliography and herbariums, offering us the opportunity to document and double check the identity of a cultivar, consolidating the expertise of ampelographers. The work is carried out in several stages, from verifying the existence of a variety in a small region, through to rehabilitation. During this session, the authors present the process that leads to the official registration of a variety. After this, IFV selection center takes over to initiate the process of selection and propagation. A specific focus within regions such as the Alps, Champagne and the South-West will provide details of the full procedure. Bia, Bouysselet, Chardonnay rose, Mecle and the aptly named Tardif, are some of the cultivars that have followed this procedure. Furthermore, a recent regulation established by INAO on “varieties of interest for adaptation purposes” might boost uptake by growers. Since 2006, 36 historical cultivars have been registered. Most of these have been neglected in the past due to late maturity, lack of sugar and high titratable acidity at harvest time. Such characteristics are today considered as positive qualities, not only in mitigation of the effects of climate change, but also as an opportunity for restoring diversity…

The concept of terroir: what place for microbiota?

Microbes play key roles on crop nutrient availability via biogeochemical cycles, rhizosphere interactions with roots as well as on plant growth and health. Recent advances in technologies, such as High Throughput Sequencing Techniques, allowed to gain deeper insight on the structure of bacterial and fungal communities associated with soil, rhizosphere and plant phyllosphere. Over the past 10 years, numerous scientific studies have been carried out on the microbial component of the vineyard. Whether the soil or grape compartments have been taken into account, many studies agree on the evidence of regional delineations of microbial communities, that may contribute to regional wine characteristics and typicity. Some authors proposed the term “microbial terroir” including “yeast terroir” for grapes to describe the connection between microbial biogeography and regional wine characteristics. Many factors are involved in terroir including climate, soil, cultivar and human practices as well as their interactions. Studies considering “microbial terroir” greatly contributed to improve our knowledge on factors that shape the vineyard microbial structure and diversity. However, the potential impact of “microbial terroir” on wine composition has yet not received strong scientific evidence and many questions remain to be addressed, related to the functional characterization of the microbial community and its impact on plant physiology and grape composition, the origins and interannual stability of vineyard microbiota, as well as their impact on wine sensorial attributes. The presentation will give an overview on the role of microbiota as a terroir component and will highlight future perspectives and challenges on this key subject for the wine industry.

Permanent cover cropping with reduced tillage increased resiliency of wine grape vineyards to climate change

Majority of California’s vineyards rely on supplemental irrigation to overcome abiotic stressors. In the context of climate change, increases in growing season temperatures and crop evapotranspiration pose a risk to adaptation of viticulture to climate change. Vineyard cover crops may mitigate soil erosion and preserve water resources; but there is a lack of information on how they contribute to vineyard resiliency under tillage systems. The aim of this study was to identify the optimum combination of cover crop sand tillage without adversely affecting productivity while preserving plant water status. Two experiments in two contrasting climatic regions were conducted with two cover crops, including a permanent short stature grass (P. bulbosa hybrid), barley (Hordeum spp), and resident vegetation under till vs. no-till systems in a Ruby Cabernet (V. vinifera spp.) (Fresno) and a Cabernet Sauvingon (Napa) vineyard. Results indicated that permanent grass under no-till preserved plant available water until E-L stage 17. Consequently, net carbon assimilation of the permanent grass under no-till system was enhanced compared to those with barley and resident vegetation. On the other hand, the barley under no-till system reduced grapevine net carbon assimilation during berry ripening that led to lower content of nonstructural carbohydrates in shoots at dormancy. Components of yield and berry composition including flavonoid profile at either site were not adversely affected by factors studied. Switching to a permanent cover crop under a no-till system also provided a 9% and 3% benefit in cultural practices costs in Fresno and Napa, respectively. The results of this work provides fundamental information to growers in preserving resiliency of vineyard systems in hot and warm climate regions under context of climate change.

Different soil types and relief influence the quality of Merlot grapes in a relatively small area in the Vipava Valley (Slovenia) in relation to the vine water status

Besides location and microclimatic conditions, soil plays an important role in the quality of grapes and wine. Soil properties influence…