Cultivation forms and viticulture models adapting to adverse “environmental” conditions

Atypical ageing (ATA) is a wine aroma fault occurring in white wines characterised by an early loss of varietal aroma as well as nuances of wet mop, acacia blossom, shoe polish and dirty rag among others. 2-aminoacetophenone (2AAP) – a degradation product of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) – has been described as the major odour-active compound and chemical marker responsible for this off-flavour. Depending on the aroma intensity of wines, its odour threshold varies from 0.5 to 10.5 μg/L. It seems that a stress reaction in the vineyard triggered by climatic, pedological and viticultural factors can ultimately cause ATA development in wines and therefore shorten their shelf-life.

Color is one of the key elements for the marketing of rosé wines due to their packaging in transparent bottles. Their broad color range is due to the presence of pigments belonging to phenolic compounds extracted from grapes or formed during the wine-making process. However, the mechanisms responsible for such diversity are poorly understood. The few investigations performed on rosé wines showed that their phenolic composition is highly variable, close to that of red wines for the darkest rosés but very different for light ones [1]. Moreover, large variations in the extent of color loss taking place during fermentation have been reported but the mechanisms involved and causes of such variability are unknown.

Context and Purpose of the Study. A deeper understanding of the relationship between weather conditions and wine quality is essential for assessing the impact of climate change and developing effective adaptation strategies.

Measurements of parameters spatialy positionned, with on line sensors mounted on classical machinery or airborne imagery is no more a problem in viticulture. In a short time, high resolution data dedicated to the assessment of the vine characteristics, the soil, the harvest, etc. will become a reality.

This paper follows the one presented by Saayman at the International Symposium on Landscapes of Vines and Wines in the Loire Valley during July 2003. Where Saayman’s paper described the heritage and development of South African vineyard landscapes, this one focuses on how the landscape is used to assist in decision-making concerning the most important long term practices.