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IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 Study and valorization of vineyards “terroirs” in the Val de Loire

Study and valorization of vineyards “terroirs” in the Val de Loire

Abstract

[English version below]

Face à la concurrence mondiale, il est indispensable de s’orienter vers des vins de qualité, marqués par une typicité et une authenticité inimitables. Le terroir représente, pour une région donnée, un patrimoine unique et non reproductible, qui peut être valorisé à travers l’origine et les caractéristiques sensorielles du vin. Depuis une quinzaine d’années, l’UW du Centre INRA d’Angers développe un programme d’étude sur la Connaissance, l’Influence et la Gestion optimisée des Terroirs viticoles. Une méthode locale de cartographie des terroirs viticoles a été élaborée, basée sur le concept d’Unité Terroir de Base (UTB), identifiée par l’étage géologique, la nature de la roche mère géologique, son degré d’altération et la profondeur du sol. La cartographie est réalisée avec une tarière à main de 1.20 m, à raison d’un sondage/ha en moyenne. Les résultats sont restitués sous forme d’atlas cartographiques communaux, utilisables directement par les techniciens et les vignerons, à la vigne (cartes conseils pour le choix du cépage, du porte-greffe, des pratiques agro-viticoles) et en cave (adaptation des pratiques œnologiques au terroir de chaque parcelle). À partir de ces données, la cave coopérative des Caves de la Loire, installée à Brissac (France) a réalisé pour chaque adhérent. Toutes les opérations réalisées à la vigne y sont enregistrées ce qui conduit à assurer une traçabilité. À chaque livraison de vendange, un «code parcelle» permet d’orienter la vendange en fonction du potentiel œnologique conféré par le terroir aux raisins permettant une vinification par UTB. Cela a permis d’optimiser l’effet terroir sur le vin, et donc, d’obtenir des vins plus qualitatifs, commercialisés sous un label. Une communication forte et originale sur le produit s’est d’ores et déjà installée au profit de toute la filière viticole angevine.

In the current context of market competition, the future of many French vineyards of controlled appellation of origin lies in their capacity to produce wines presenting a genuine typicity and authenticity. The terroir represent a unique and irreproducible patrimony that can be valorized through the origins and the sensory characteristics of the wines. For the last 15 years, the UW of the Centre INRA of Angers has worked on the knowledge, the influence and the optimized management of vineyard terroirs. The study is based on a local method of soil characterization called “Basic Terroirs Units” (UTB concept), taking into account the geological stage, the bed-rock’s nature, its degree of alteration and the soil depth as principal keys of identification. The scale study is 1/12500. The concrete valorization of the work is to produce cartographic atlases for the disposal of the winegrowers. These atlases present some advisory maps in order to adapt both the cultural practices (choice of the grape vine-variety, rootstocks and soil management) and the enological practices, according to the terroir. From these results, a cooperative wine cellar “Les Caves de la Loire” realized a personal file for each member. Every operation executed in the vineyard is registered (tracability). At the time of vintage, a «parcel code » allows to orient the vintage according to the enological potential induced by the terroir to the grapes,(vinification by UTB). This study has already permit to optimize the “terroir effect”, and consequently, to improve the quality of the wines, commercialized with a label. The subject is already in place for the benefice of the whole Anjou wine business.

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DOI:

Publication date: February 15, 2022

Issue: Terroir 2002

Type: Article

Authors

E. BESNARD, E .GOULET, D. RIOUX, S. CESBRON, C. MEINEN and R. MORLAT

Cellule “Terroirs Viticoles” – Chambre Régionale d’Agriculture des Pays de la Loire, Avenue Joxé, 49000 ANGERS
Les Caves de la Loire – Route de Vauchrétien, 49320 BRISSAC QUINCE
Unité Vigne et Vin (UW) – Centre INRA d’Angers – 42 rue Georges Morel – 49070 BEAUCOUZE

Keywords

Terroirs viticoles, Cartographie, Unités Terroirs de Base, Val de Loire, Valorisation, Typicité des vins
Vineyard Terroirs, Cartography, Basic Terroirs Units, Val de Loire, Valorization, Wine typicity

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Terroir 2002

Citation

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