Observatoire Grenache en Vallée du Rhône: incidence du terroir sur certains précurseurs d’arômes et substances volatiles

The use of soil conservation practices in wine grape production is becoming common throughout the world in response to an increased awareness of the value of soil health to maintain crop productivity and environmental quality. However, little information is available on the meaning of soil health within a viticultural context, and what soil properties should be targeted to achieve both the agronomic and environmental goals of wine grape producers. Conservation practices lead to increases in soil organic matter which may improve soil water retention, and increase soil C content therefore constituting a potential avenue to adapt to droughts and sequester C. Well-known management practices such as the use of cover crops, compost or no-till, although effective, seem to result in highly variable outcomes in soil organic matter and other soil health indicators. This variability is likely associated to the application of the practices in different soils and climates. Thus, integration of soil health building practices needs a thorough understanding of their efficacy under different conditions. Furthermore, additions of soil organic matter could trigger emissions of CO2 and N2O, a potent greenhouse gas that could represent a potential tradeoff of soil conservation practices. Finally, nutrient and water availability may be affected by the increase in soil organic matter having consequences for vine balance and grape quality.

The concept of ‘terroir’ describes the interplay of the environmental factors that affect the grapevine. This includes but is not limited to climate, soil composition, vineyard management, topography, and geology.

In this video recording of the IVES science meeting 2021, Sophie Tempère (Institut des Sciences de la Vigne et du Vin – ISVV, Université de Bordeaux) speaks about the recovery of olfactory capacity following a COVID-19 infection. This presentation is based on an original article accessible for free on IVES Technical Reviews.

AIM: Biosurfactants can be used as emulsifier agents to improve the taste, flavour, and quality of food-products with minimal health hazards [1]. They are surface-active compounds with antioxidant and solubilizing properties [2].

Marselan (Cabernet-Sauvignon x Grenache), has been planted for more than 20 years now in Uruguay. Due to its good agronomic and oenological aptitudes under uruguayan conditions, it is currently the red variety with highest plantation rate. The objective of the study was to identify management practices, aimed at improving quality in highly productive vineyards, different fruit/leaf regulation methods were tested in southern Uruguay.