Terroir 1996 banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 Study of grape plant behaviour (cv. Chasselas) on various “terroirs” of the Vaud county (Switzerland)

Study of grape plant behaviour (cv. Chasselas) on various “terroirs” of the Vaud county (Switzerland)

Abstract

[English version below]

L’étude du comportement physiologique et agronomique de la vigne (cv. Chasselas) a été réalisée en 2001 par la Station fédérale de recherches en production végétale de Changins sur divers terroirs viticoles vaudois (Suisse), dans le cadre d’un projet d’étude des terroirs viticoles vaudois en collaboration avec le bureau I LETESSIER (SIGALES) à Grenoble et l’École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL). Les unités pédologiques définies et représentatives du vignoble (moraines épaisses peu compactes, moraines compactes de pente, colluviosols de bas de pente et peyrosols) ont entraîné des réponses pertinentes du végétal, notamment sur le comportement hydrique de la vigne, l’expression végétative et la vigueur des souches ainsi que sur les caractéristiques qualitatives de la récolte (les moraines représentant plus de 80% de la surface viticole). Le suivi de l’alimentation hydrique de la vigne, effectué au moyen du Ψbase, a montré que le niveau de contrainte hydrique a été faible durant la plus grande partie de la saison 2001 (année humide) sur l’ensemble du vignoble. Néanmoins, les vignes établies sur des sols à réserve utile (RU) et enracinement limités (moraines compactes de pente, moraines sur molasse conglomératique ou gréseuse) ont présenté un niveau de contrainte, qualifiée de modérée durant la maturation du raisin. Les vignes situées sur des colluviosols, des moraines épaisses et peu compactes, et des peyrosols à RU et enracinement plus importants ont été caractérisées par une absence de contrainte hydrique tout au long de la saison. La précocité des terroirs et la vitesse de croissance végétative ont été principalement influencées par le mésoclimat thermique (altitude, inclinaison et orientation des pentes).
L’expression végétative de la vigne, analysée à travers la taille moyenne des feuilles, la biomasse foliaire rognée et l’indice chlorophyllien, ainsi que la vigueur des souches (poids des bois de taille) ont été largement tributaires du réservoir en eau des sols et des conditions, d’alimentation hydrique de la plante durant la saison. Les caractéristiques de la production (poids des baies et des grappes) et de la maturation du raisin ont également été conditionnées par les terroirs. L’accumulation des sucres dans les baies a été influencée par le rapport feuille-fruit ou en d’autres tenues par la SFE/kg de raisin obtenue dans les principaux terroirs. La maîtrise de ce rapport semble déterminante. Les teneurs en acidité totale et en acide malique des moûts ont été plus élevées dans les vignes implantées sur des colluviosols, les autres terroirs indiquant des valeurs plus faibles. Le mésoclimat (principalement l’altitude) a conditionné la teneur en acidité des baies en début de maturation. L’évolution de la teneur en acide tartrique des raisins a été équivalente pour les divers terroirs. Le suivi de l’indice de formol, effectué durant la maturation, a indiqué que l’alimentation en azote des baies a été bonne à élever sur l’ensemble du réseau. Les vignes vigoureuses ont affiché des taux supérieurs de pourriture à la vendange.

In 2001 a study of the physiological and agronomic behavior of grape plant (cv Chasselas) in various “terroirs” of the Vaud county (Switzerland) was performed by the Swiss Federal Research Station for Plant Production of Changins in the frame of the study project “Wine terroirs of Vaud” and in collaboration with the office I. LETESSIER (SIGALES) in Grenoble and the Federal Polytechnic High School of Lausanne (EPFL). The soil composition representative of the units of vineyard – thick and not very compact moraines, sloping and compact moraines, moraines on conglomerate or sandstone (moraines representing more than 80% of vineyard surface), colluvial downhill soils and various stony soils (peyrosoil) – was important for plant response, in particular for the mechanism of water regulation system and for qualitative assessment (growth speed of berries, final weight of berries and bunches, grape maturation). A study of the water supply system to vines, carried out using Ψbase, has shown that water stress levels were low during the greater part of the season 2001 (wet year) over the whole of the vineyards. Nevertheless, moderate stress levels were recorded during the time of grape ripening in vines set on soils with lower useful reservoirs (RU) and shallow root systems (sloping and compact moraines, moraines on conglomerate or sandstone). Vines situated on stony soils with higher RU levels and deeper root systems were characterized by a complete lack of water stress throughout the whole season. The advance in “terroir” plant development and speed of growth were mainly influenced by the thermic mesoclimate (altitude, angle and orientation of slopes). The vegetative outgrowth of the vine (analyzed by average leaf size), clippings of the foliage biomass, the chlorophyll index, together with plant strength (weight of pruned wood) all largely contributed to the soil water reservoir and conditions of water supply to plants during the season of growth. Production characteristics (weight of grapes and bunch of grapes) and fruit ripening were also conditioned by the “terroir”. Sugar accumulation in berries was influenced by the leaf fruit ratio or, in other words, by the SFE/kg of grapes obtained in principle vineyards. The importance of this ratio appears to be determinant. The amounts of total acidity and malic acid in the must were higher in vines planted on colluvial soils, while other “terroirs” indicated lower values. The mesoclimate (essentially the altitude) conditioned acidity levels in the grapes at the start of ripening. The development of tartaric acid levels in grapes was equivalent in the various vineyards. A follow up of the Formol index, carried out during the time of ripening, showed that nitrogen supply to berries was good to high over the whole of the region. Healthy vines boasted higher rates of Botrytis cinerea at harvest.

Download the PDF

DOI:

Publication date: February 15, 2022

Issue: Terroir 2002

Type: Article

Authors

V. ZUFFEREY (1), F. MURISIER (1) , Véronique BONNET (3), C. VERDUN (4), D. LOIZEAU (5), J.-L. SPRING (1), C. BRIGUET (2)

(1) Station Fédérale de Recherches en production végétale de Changins, Centre viticole du Caudoz, CH-1009 Pully, Suisse
(2) Prométerre, Avenue des Jordils 1, CH-1000 Lausanne 6, Suisse
(3) ENSA Montpellier, 4) ENSA Rennes, 5) UFR Sciences Angers, France

Keywords

terroirs viticoles, fonctionnement hydrique, expression végétative, qualité des raisins
wine terroir, mechanism of water regulation system, vegetative outgrowth, grape quality

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Terroir 2002

Citation

Related articles…

Spatial variability of temperature is linked to grape composition variability in the Saint-Emilion winegrowing area

Elevated temperature during the grape maturation period is a major threat for grape quality and thus wine quality. Therefore, characterizing the grape composition response to temperature at a larger scale would represent a crucial step towards adaptation to climate change. In response to changes in temperature, various physiological mechanisms regulate grape composition. Primary and secondary metabolisms are both involved in this response, with well-known effects, for example on anthocyanins, and lesser known effects, for example on aromas or aroma precursors. At the field scale or at the regional scale, however, numerous environmental or plant-specific factors intervene to make the effects of temperature difficult to distinguish from overall variability. In this study, it was attempted to overcome this difficulty by selecting well-characterized situations with differing temperatures. A long-term study of air temperature variability across several Merlot vineyards in the Saint-Emilion and Pomerol wine producing area found significant temperature differences and gradients at various time scales linked to environmental factors. From this study area, a few sites were selected with similar age, soil and training system conditions, and with repeated and contrasted temperature differences during the maturation period. The average temperature difference during the maturation period was about 2°C between cooler and warmer sites, a difference similar to that expected under future climate change scenarios. In close vicinity to the temperature sensors at each site, grape berries were sampled at different times until full maturity during 2019 and 2020. Also, berries from bunches on either side of the row were analyzed separately, allowing an investigation of bunch exposure effect associated with the coupling of berry temperature and solar radiation. Four replicates of pooled berries for each time – site – bunch exposure combination were obtained and analyzed for biochemical composition. Analyses of variance of the biochemical composition data collected at different sampling times reveal significant effects associated with temperature, site, and bunch azimuth. For instance, anthocyanins in grape skins are clearly influenced by temperature and solar radiation exposure, with up to 30% reduction in warmer conditions.
Read More

How distinctive are single vineyard Gewürztraminer musts and wines from Alto Adige (Italy) based on untargeted analysis, sensory profiling, and chemometric elaboration?

Vitis vinifera L. ‘Gewürztraminer’ is a historical grape variety of Alto Adige (Südtirol), Italy, which is widely grown in the area of Tramin an der Weinstraße, but is also grown globally. It produces highly aromatic wines that are strongly influenced by the terroir of the vineyard sites where they are grown. This study looked at musts and young wines from ‘Gewürztraminer’ grapes harvested in seven distinct vineyards near Tramin and then processed at Cantina di Termeno, minimizing winemaking protocol variability. Samples were profiled using bidimensional gas chromatography–time-of-flight mass spectrometry, liquid chromatography coupled to electrochemical detection, and near-IR spectrometry. The data were subjected to Principle Component Analysis and Hierarchical Clustering Analysis. Sensory discriminant testing was undertaken using the sorting method with a semi-trained panel, and the data were processed using Multidimensional Scaling. Seven must/wine pairs could be distinguished based on their untargeted volatilome profiles and on sensory evaluation. As expected, there were greater differences in the volatile compounds between the wines than between the musts. The wines from vineyards 4 and 5 were nonetheless quite homogenous in terms of chemical and sensory analyses, as were the wines from vineyards 1 and 3. For the phenolic profile, differences were noted between the musts and wines of vineyards 2, 3, and 4, but the musts from vineyards 5 and 7 were similar. Sensory analysis showed the wines from vineyards 6 and 7 to be distinct from the rest. These results reinforce that the composition of ‘Gewürztraminer’ musts and wines is strongly determined by vineyard site, even in a small geographic area with high variability of the terroir (soil and microclimate), and that these differences are apparent in the flavours and aromas of the finished wines. Further confirmation would require a larger sample of wines, preferably from several vintages.

Read More

The impact of sustainable management regimes on amino acid profiles in grape juice, grape skin flavonoids, and hydroxycinnamic acids

One of the biggest challenges of agriculture today is maintaining food safety and food quality while providing ecosystem services such as biodiversity conservation, pest and disease control, ensuring water quality and supply, and climate regulation. Organic farming was shown to promote biodiversity and carbon sequestration, and is therefore seen as one possibility of environmentally friendly production. Consumers expect organically grown crops to be free from chemical pesticides and mineral fertilizers and often presume that the quality of organically grown crops is different or higher compared to conventionally grown crops. Integrated, organic, and biodynamic viticulture were compared in a replicated field trial in Geisenheim, Germany (Vitis vinifera L. cv. Riesling). Amino acid profiles in juice, grape skin flavonoids, and hydroxycinnamic acids were monitored over three consecutive seasons beginning 7 years after conversion to organic and biodynamic viticulture, respectively. In addition, parameters such as soil nutrient status, yield, vigor, canopy temperature, and water stress were monitored to draw conclusions on reasons for the observed changes. Results revealed that the different sustainable management regimes highly differed in their amino acid profiles in juice and also in their skin flavonol content, whereas differences in the flavanol and hydroxycinnamic acid content were less pronounced. It is very likely that differences in nutrient status and yield determined amino acid profiles in juice, although all three systems showed similar amounts of mineralized nitrogen in the soil. Canopy structure and temperature in the bunch zone did not differ among treatments and therefore cannot account for the observed differences in favonols. A different light exposure of the bunches in the respective systems due to differences in vigor together with differences in berry size and a different water status of the vines might rather be responsible for the increase in flavonol content under organic and biodynamic viticulture.

Read More

Terroir analysis and its complexity

Terroir is not only a geographical site, but it is a more complex concept able to express the “collective knowledge of the interactions” between the environment and the vines mediated through human action and “providing distinctive characteristics” to the final product (OIV 2010). It is often treated and accepted as a “black box”, in which the relationships between wine and its origin have not been clearly explained. Nevertheless, it is well known that terroir expression is strongly dependent on the physical environment, and in particular on the interaction between soil-plant and atmosphere system, which influences the grapevine responses, grapes composition and wine quality. The Terroir studying and mapping are based on viticultural zoning procedures, obtained with different levels of know-how, at different spatial and temporal scales, empiricism and complexity in the description of involved bio-physical processes, and integrating or not the multidisciplinary nature of the terroir. The scientific understanding of the mechanisms ruling both the vineyard variability and the quality of grapes is one of the most important scientific focuses of terroir research. In fact, this know-how is crucial for supporting the analysis of climate change impacts on terroir resilience, identifying new promised lands for viticulture, and driving vineyard management toward a target oenological goal. In this contribution, an overview of the last findings in terroir studies and approaches will be shown with special attention to the terroir resilience analysis to climate change, facing the use and abuse of terroir concept and new technology able to support it and identifying the terroir zones.

Read More

Effects of graft quality on growth and grapevine-water relations

Climate change is challenging viticulture worldwide compromising its sustainability due to warmer temperatures and the increased frequency of extreme events. Grafting Vitis vinifera L.

Read More