Terroir 1996 banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 From local classification to regional zoning-the use of a geographic information system (GIS) in Franconia/Germany. Part 2: regional zoning of vineyards based on local climatic classifications

From local classification to regional zoning-the use of a geographic information system (GIS) in Franconia/Germany. Part 2: regional zoning of vineyards based on local climatic classifications

Abstract

En raison des vanations locales d’exposition et de déclivité, l’évaluation climatique des vignobles et des régions viticoles est très important pour la culture des raisins. De nombreuses informations différentes doivent être réunies et analysées afin de trouver la position optimale pour des cépages avec des périodes de maturité différentes qui ensuite déterminent la région. De nouveaux logiciels, tel qu’un Système d’information Géographique (SlG), permettent d’enregistrer et d’analyser en détail les facteurs importants.
L’un des objectifs d’une application du SIG en Franconie / Allemagne est une classification climatique des vignobles et l’introduction d’un zonage climatique. La somme de la radiation directe se situe au centre de l’évaluation climatique des surfaces viticoles, car elle détermine la quantité de chaleur reçue par une position. Ceci varie avec les conditions de relief, calculées à l’aide d’un modèle de terrain digital sur la base des cartes topographiques. Dans ces conditions, il est possible de cons tituer des cartes d’inclination et d’exposition. On peut en conclure que les zones de même déclivité et d’exposition reçoivent la même insolation.
Le calcul de la somme de radiation, particubèrement pendant les mois de maturité, permet un zonage climatique local et la délimitation des surfaces en Franconie aptes à la viticulture. Sur la base de la classification climatique, la quantité d’air froid, le risque de gel ainsi que la fréquence du brouillard peuvent être inclus dans l’évaluation. Partant de cette évaluation locale du climat, les régions de même clémence de climat peuvent être clairement délimitées.

The climatic valuation of vineyards and viticultural regions in the northern hemisphere bas a high importance for the cultivation of grape varieties with different ripeness development. A large amount of different information have to be compiled and analysed to work out the optimal locations for grape varieties with different ripeness periods within specific areas. New computer software such as a Geographic Information System (GIS) enables the detailed recording and analysis of viticulturally relevant factors.

One of the objectives of the GIS application in Franconia / Germany is the climatic classification of vineyards and the establishment of a climatic zoning. The main aspect of the climatic valuation is the sum of the direct radiation on vineyard sites. The local climate in northern viticultural regions is maµtly influenced by local variations of slope and exposition.
By means of digital terrain models based on topographie maps, slope and exposition are calculated with the GIS. A combination of these factors enables the creation of maps with many small-scaled areas, each showing specific slope and exposition. From this, numerous larger zones with equal slope and exposition are deduced which receive the same amount of energy.

The calculation of the amount of radiation, especially for the months of ripeness, enables a local climatic zoning and delimitation of areas in Franconia / Germany suitable for viticulture. Based on the climatic classification, the endangering of areas by cold air and frost and the frequency of fog can be also included into this valuation. Proceeding from the local. climatic classification, regions or zones of equal climatic conditions can be clearly determined.

DOI:

Publication date: February 15, 2022

Issue:Terroir 2002

Type: Article

Authors

S. MICHEL, A. SCHWAB and S. KÖNIGER

Bayerische Landesanstalt für Weinbau und Oartenbau, Abt. Weinbau und Rebenzüchtung, Hennstr. 8, D-97209 Veitshochheim, Germany

Contact the author

Keywords

zonage régional, SIG, classification climatique, topoclimat, gestion des surfaces viticoles
regional zoning, GIS, climatic classification, topoclimate, vineyard management

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Terroir 2002

Citation

Related articles…

Impact of climate change on the viticultural climate of the Protected Designation of Origin “Jumilla” (SE Spain)

Protected Designation of Origin “Jumilla” (PDO Jumilla) is located in the Spanish provinces of Albacete and Murcia, in the South-eastern part of the Iberian Peninsula, where most of the models predict a severe impact of climate change in next decades. PDO Jumilla covers an area of 247,054 hectares, of which more than 22,000 hectares

An analytical framework to site-specifically study climate influence on grapevine involving the functional and Bayesian exploration of farm data time series synchronized using an eGDD thermal index

Climate influence on grapevine physiology is prevalent and this influence is only expected to increase with climate change. Although governed by a general determinism, climate influence on grapevine physiology may present variations according to the terroir. In addition, these site-specific differences are likely to be enhanced when climate influence is studied using farm data. Indeed, farm data integrate additional sources of variation such as a varying representativity of the conditions actually experienced in the field. Nevertheless, there is a real challenge in valuing farm data to enable grape growers to understand their own terroir and consequently adapt their practices to the local conditions. In such a context, this article proposes a framework to site-specifically study climate influence on grapevine physiology using farm data. It focuses on improving the analysis of time series of weather data. The analytical framework includes the synchronization of time series using site-specific thermal indices computed with an original method called Extended Growing Degree Days (eGDD). Synchronized time series are then analyzed using a Bayesian functional Linear regression with Sparse Steps functions (BLiSS) in order to detect site-specific periods of strong climate influence on yield development. The article focuses on temperature and rain influence on grape yield development as a case study. It uses data from three commercial vineyards respectively situated in the Bordeaux region (France), California (USA) and Israel. For all vineyards, common periods of climate influence on yield development were found. They corresponded to already known periods, for example around veraison of the year before harvest. However, the periods differed in their precise timing (e.g. before, around or after veraison), duration and correlation direction with yield. Other periods were found for only one or two vineyards and/or were not referred to in literature, for example during the winter before harvest.

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…

Elucidating vineyard site contributions to key sensory molecules: Identification of correlations between elemental composition and volatile aroma profile of site-specific Pinot noir wines

The reproducibility of elemental profile in wines produced across multiple vintages has been previously reported using grapes from a single scion clone of Vitis vinifera L. cv. Pinot noir. The grapevines were grown on fourteen different vineyard sites, from Oregon to southern California in the U.S.A., which span distances from approximately hundreds of meters to 1450 km, while elevations range from near sea level to nearly 500 m. In addition, sensorial (i.e. aroma, taste, and mouthfeel) and chemical (i.e. polyphenolic and volatile) differences across the different vineyard sites have also been observed among these wines at two aging time points. While strong evidence exists to support that grapes grown in different regions can produce wines with unique chemical and sensorial profiles, even when a single clone is used, the understanding of growing site characteristics that result in this reproducible differentiation continues to emerge. One hypothesis is that the elemental profile that a vineyard site imparts to the grape berries and the resulting wine is an important contributor to this differentiation in chemistry and sensory of wines. For example, various classes of enzymes that catalyze the formation of key aroma compounds or their precursors require specific metals. In this work, we begin to report correlations between elemental and volatile aroma profiles of site-specific Pinot noir wines, made under standardized winemaking conditions, that have been previously shown to be distinguished separately by these chemical analyses.

Geospatial trends of bioclimatic indexes in the topographically complex region of Barolo DOCG

Barolo DOCG is an economically important wine producing region in Northwest Italy. It is a small region of approximately 70 km2 gross area. The topography is very complex with steep sloped hills ranging in elevation from below 200 m to 550 m. Barolo DOCG wine is made exclusively from the Nebbiolo grape. Bioclimatic indexes are often used in viticulture to gain a better understanding of broader climate trends which can be compared temporally and geographically. These indexes are also used for identifying potential phenological timing, growing region suitability, and potential risks associated with expected climatic changes. Understanding how topography influences bioclimatic indexes can help with understanding of mesoscale climate behaviour leading to improved decision making and risk management strategies. The average monthly maximum and minimum temperatures, the Cool Night Index, the Huglin Index, and the monthly diurnal range (from July to October) were calculated using data from 45 weather stations within a 40 km radius of the Barolo DOCG growing area between the years 1996 and 2019. Linear and multiple regression models were developed using independent variables (elevation, aspect, slope) extracted from a digital elevation model to identify significant relationships. Bioclimatic indexes were then kriged with external drift using independent variables that showed significant relationships with the bioclimatic index using a 100 m resolution grid. The maximum monthly temperatures and the Huglin Index showed consistent significant negative relationships with elevation in all years. The minimum monthly temperatures showed no relationship with elevation but in some months a small but significant relationship was observed with aspect. Due to the lack of a relationship between minimum monthly temperatures and elevation compared to the significant relationship between maximum monthly temperatures and elevation, monthly diurnal range had a negative relationship with elevation.