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…

Current climate change in the Oplenac wine-growing district (Serbia)

Serbian autochthonous vine varieties Smederevka (for white wines) and Prokupac (for rosé and red wines) are the primary representatives of typical characteristics of wines and terroir of numerous wine-growing areas in Serbia. In the past, these varieties were the leading vine varieties, however, as the result of globalization of winemaking and the trend of consumption of wines from widely prevalent vine varieties, they were replaced by introduced international varieties. Smederevka and Prokupac vine varieties are characterized by later time of grape ripening, and relative sensitivity to low temperatures. Climate conditions can be a restrictive factor for production of high-quality grapes and wine and for the spatial spreading of these varieties in hilly continental wine-growing areas.
This paper focuses on the spatial analysis of changes of main climate parameters, in particular, analysis of viticultural bioclimatic indices that were determined for the purposes of viticulture zoning of wine-growing areas in the period 1961-2010, and those same parameters determined for the current, that is, referential climate period (1988-2017). Results of the research, that is, analysis of climate changes indicate that the majority of examined climate parameters in the Oplenac wine-growing district improved from the perspective of Smederevka and Prokupac vine varieties. These studies of climate conditions indicate that changes of analyzed climate parameters, that is, bioclimatic indices will be favorable for cultivation of varieties with later grape ripening times and those more sensitive to low temperatures, such as the autochthonous vine varieties Smederevka and Prokupac, therefore, it is recommended to producers to more actively plant vineyards with these varieties in the territory of the Oplenac wine-growing district.

Updating the Winkler index: An analysis of Cabernet sauvignon in Napa Valley’s varied and changing climate

This study aims to create an updated, agile viticultural climate index (similar to the Winkler Index) by performing in-depth analyses of current and historical data from industry partners in several major winegrowing regions. The Winkler Index was developed in the early twentieth century based on analysis of various grape-growing regions in California. The index uses heat accumulation (i.e. Growing Degree Days) throughout the growing season to determine which grape varieties are best suited to each region. As viticultural regions are increasingly subject to the complexity and uncertainty of a changing climate, a more rigorous, agile model is needed to aid grape growers in determining which cultivars to plant where. For the first phase of this study, 21 industry partners throughout Napa Valley shared historical phenology, harvest, viticultural practice, and weather data related to their Cabernet sauvignon vineyard blocks. To complement this data, berry samples were collected throughout the 2021 growing season from 50 vineyard blocks located throughout 16 American Viticultural Areas that were then analyzed for basic berry chemistry and phenolics. These blocks have been mapped using a Geographic Information System (GIS), enabling analysis of altitude, vineyard row orientation, slope, and remotely sensed climate data. Sampling sites were also chosen based on their proximity to a weather station. By analyzing historical data from industry partners and data specifically collected for this study, it is possible to identify key parameters for further analysis. Initial results indicate extreme variability at a high spatial resolution not currently accounted for in modern viticultural climate indices and suggest that viticultural practices play a major role. Using the structure of data collection and analyses developed for the first phase, this project will soon be expanded to other wine regions globally, while continuing data collection in Napa Valley.

Analysis of some environmental factors and cultural practices that affect the production and quality of the Manto Negro, Callet and Prensal Blanc varieties

45 non irrigated vineyards distributed in the DO (Denomination) Pla i Llevant de Mallorca and the DO Binissalem Mallorca were used to investigate the characteristics of production and quality and their relationships certain environmental factors and cultural practices. The grape varieties investigated are autochthonous to the island of Mallorca, Manto Negro and Callet as red and Prensal Blanc as white. All plants were measured for four consecutive years in the main production and quality parameters. Among the environmental factors, the type of soil has been studied, more specifically its water retention capacity, the planting density, the age of the vineyard and the level of viral infection. The presence or absence of virus seems to have no effect on any component studied in the varieties studied. For the white variety Prensal Blanc age is negatively correlated with production and the number of bunches, nevertheless it does not cause any effect on the required quality parameters. However, for the red varieties Callet and Manto Negro, the age of the plantation is the variable that best correlates with the quality parameters, therefore the old vines should be the object of preservation by the viticulturists and winemakers in order to guarantee its contribution to the quality of the wines made with these varieties.

Modeling the suitability of Pinot Noir in Oregon’s Willamette Valley in a changing climate

Air temperature is the key driver of grapevine phenology and a significant environmental factor impacting yield and quality for a winegrape growing region. In this study the optimal downscaled CMIP5 ensemble for computing thegrowing season average temperature (GST) viticulture climate classification index was determined to spatially compute on a decadal basis predictions of the GST climate index and the grapevine sugar ripeness (GSR) model for Pinot Noir throughout the Willamette Valley (WV) American Viticultural Area (AVA). Forecasts for average temperature and a 220 g/L target sugar concentration level were computed using daily Localized Constructed Analogs (LOCA) downscaled CMIP5 historic and Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) future climate projections of minimum and maximum daily temperature. We explore spatiotemporal trends of the GST climate classification index and Pinot Noir specific applications of the GSR phenology model for the WV AVA. Spatiotemporal computations of the GST climate index and Pinot Noir specific applications of the GSR model enable the opportunity to explore relationships between their computed values with one intent being to provide updated GST ranges that better align with current temperature-based modeling understanding of Pinot Noir grapevine phenology and the viticultural application of LOCA CMIP5 climate projections for the WV AVA. The Pinot Noir specific applications of the GSR model or the GST index with updated bounds indicate that the percent of the WV AVA area suitable for Pinot Noir production is currently at or near its peak value in the upper 80s to lower 90s of this century.

Projected changes in vine phenology of two varieties with different thermal requirements cultivated in La Mancha DO (Spain) under climate change scenarios

The aim of this work was to analyze the phenology variability of Tempranillo and Chardonnay cultivars, related to the climatic characteristics in La Mancha Designation of Origin, and their potential changes under climate change scenarios. Phenological dates referred to budbreak, flowering, veraison and harvest were analyzed for the period 2000-2019. The weather conditions at daily time scale, recorded during the same period, were also evaluated. The thermal requirements to reach each of these phenological stages were calculated and expressed as the GDD accumulated from DOY=60. Changes in phenology were projected by 2050 and 2070 taking into account those values and the projected temperatures and precipitation, simulated under two Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) scenarios –RCP4.5 and RCP8.5– using an ensemble of models. The average phenological dates during the period under study were, April 16th ± 6.6 days and April 5th ± 6.0 days for budbreak, May 31st ± 6.0 days and May 27th ± 5.3 days for flowering, July 26th ± 5.6 days and July 25th ± 5.8 days for veraison, and Ago 23rd ± 10.8 days and Ago 17th ± 9.0 days for harvest, respectively, for Tempranillo and Chardonnay. The projected changes in temperature imply an average change in the maximum growing season (April-August) temperatures of 1.2 and 1.9°C by 2050, and 1.6 and 2.6°C by 2070, under the RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios, respectively. A reduction in precipitation is predicted, which vary between 15% for 2050 under RCP4.5 scenario and up to 30% by 2070 under RCP8.5. The advance of the phenological dates for 2050, could be of 6, 7, 7, and 8 days for Tempranillo and 4, 6, 6 and 9 days for Chardonnay, respectively for budbreak, flowering, veraison and harvest under the RCP4.5 scenario. Under the RCP8.5 emission scenario, the advance could be up to 30% higher.