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IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 Analyse of« terroirs» zoning on cooperative wineries (Côtes du Rhône area, France). Influence on vine agronomic response and on grape quality

Analyse of« terroirs» zoning on cooperative wineries (Côtes du Rhône area, France). Influence on vine agronomic response and on grape quality

Abstract

Plusieurs caves coopératives de l’AOC Côtes du Rhône se servent des informations du zonage pour la sélection des vendanges en fonction du terroir d’origine, afin d’élaborer des «cuvées terroir» et d’exploiter ainsi le potentiel qualitatif de leurs secteurs. Cependant, les caractéristiques de la matière première provenant de parcelles issues d’une même unité cartographique ne sont pas toujours homogènes.
Cette étude s’oriente donc vers une meilleure connaissance du fonctionnement des terroirs. Elle cherche à définir, à travers la validation des zonages, l’incidence du terroir sur la réponse agronomique de la vigne et sur le potentiel qualitatif du raisin et du vin. On recherche un outil d’aide à la décision pour les caves permettant d’optimiser la sélection des apports.
Sur la base des zonages existants dans la région (cartes des sols, cartographies des pédopaysages et des terroirs, …), des réseaux de parcelles sont suivis depuis l’année 2000 au sein des aires de production de plusieurs caves coopératives pendant plusieurs millésimes.
Les parcelles, plantées avec Vitis vinifera L. cv. Grenache noir (cépage principal de l’AOC), se placent sur les principaux types de sols de chaque cave, avec des répétitions par type de sol. Une caractérisation détaillée des parcelles est effectuée ( description terroir, itinéraires techniques, …. ) Un suivi agronomique et physiologique du comportement de la vigne, ainsi que de la sensibilité des vignes aux contraintes hydriques ont été réalisés. Enfin, on y caractérise le raisin pendant la maturation.
Les résultats présentés s’appuient sur les 2 premiers millésimes d’expérimentation. Ils devraient permettre de : 1. Evaluer la sensibilité au stress hydrique des terroirs. 2. Appréhender la variabilité des terroirs en fonction du millésime : stabilité des terroirs dans le temps (intérêt de sélectionner certains terroirs lors des millésimes favorables). 3. Quantifier l’impact de ces aspects sur la qualité du raisin. 4. Evaluer l’interférence terroir – pratiques culturales « effet vigneron» (fertilisation, rendement, …).

Several cooperative wineries of Côtes du Rhône AOC use zoning information for harvest’s selection according to type of “terroir” in order to work out “cuvees terroir” and thus to exploit the qualitative potential of their areas. However, the characteristics of grapes from the same cartographie unity of “terroir” are not always homogeneous.
This work is then oriented to enhance the knowledge of functioning of “terroirs”. We should to know the influence of the “terroir” on the agronomic reaction of the vine and the potential quality of the grape and the wine, by validation of zoning. We look for a tool to aid wineries decisions, allowing the optimisation of harvest selections.
Vine networks, located on production area of different cooperative wineries and chosen according to zoning maps (soils maps, “terroirs” maps, soil landscape maps, … ), are controlled from 2000 and for several vintages.
Plots, each one planted with Vitis vinifera L. cv. Grenache noir (the first cultivar of Côtes du Rhône Appellation), were located on the most representative soils of each winery, with repetitions plots by soil. Vine plots characteristics were in detail described (“terroir”, viticultural practices, … ). Physiological and agronomic controls of vine behaviour and vine sensibility to water deficit were determined. Berries composition during ripening was also analysed.
Results of the 2 first vintages of experimentation are presented. They should us to allow to : 1. Evaluate the vine sensibility to water deficit of different “terroirs”. 2. Estimate the “terroirs” ,variability by vintage : “terroirs” stability on time ( define the advantages of some harvest selections for the favourable vintages). 3. Valuate the incidence of these parameters on grape quality. 4. Evaluate the “terroir” and viticultural practices interferences (“vine grower effect”: fertilisation, training management, production,

DOI:

Publication date: February 15, 2022

Issue: Terroir 2002

Type: Article

Authors

B. RODRIGUEZ LOVELLE and C. SIPP

Syndicat des Vignerons des Côtes du Rhône – Service Technique – Institut Rhodanien, 2260 Route du Grès, 84100 Orange (France)

Keywords

sol, qualité du raisin, stress hydrique, cave coopérative, sélection des vendanges
soil, grape quality, water stress, cooperative winery, harvest selection

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Terroir 2002

Citation

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