terclim by ICS banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 Mesoclimate impact on Tannat in the Atlantic terroir of Uruguay

Mesoclimate impact on Tannat in the Atlantic terroir of Uruguay

Abstract

The study of climate is relevant as an element conditioning the typicity of a product, its quality and sustainability over the years. The grapevine development and growth and the final grape and wine composition are closely related to temperature, while climate components vary at mesoscale according to topography and/or proximity to large bodies of water. The objective of this work is to assess the mesoclimate of the Atlantic region of Uruguay and to determine the effect of topography and the ocean on temperature and consequently on Tannat grapevine behavior. For this purpose, an automatic weather station and a network of 19 temperature sensors were installed in 2018 in plots of a commercial vineyard in contrasting topographic situations. Nine sensors correspond to Tannat plots. Based on the climatic data for 2018-19 and 2019-20 growing seasons, bioindicators for grapevine were calculated and relationships between site topography and plant response were analyzed. Temporal climate variability between the two growing seasons is explained by rainfall and spatial variability was associated with plots’ topography. Altitude was the main feature that statistically differentiated the plots’ temperature. The effect was observed on thermal amplitude, Cool Night Index, number of days above 30 °C and maximum summer temperature. During the summer of the warmest growing season (2019-20), at 14:00 LH the average thermal difference was -1.7 °C in favor of higher altitude (140 masl) compared to lower altitude (70 masl). The main factor conditioning this result was the ocean proximity and exposure to sea breeze air circulation. Plots in higher elevations favored grapes with higher malic acid content, while lower elevations showed berries with higher amounts of secondary metabolites. This study provides knowledge about Tannat behavior under ocean condition and in a complex region which could be of value to adapt sustainable viticulture techniques.

DOI:

Publication date: May 31, 2022

Issue: Terclim 2022

Type: Article

Authors

Ramiro Tachini1, Milka Ferrer1, Valérie Bonnardot2, Martin Fanzone3 and Mercedes Fourment1

1Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de la República Oriental del Uruguay. Montevideo, Uruguay
2University Rennes 2, LETG-UMR 6554 CNRS, Rennes, France
3Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Mendoza, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Mendoza, Argentina

Contact the author

Keywords

mesoclimate, South America, Oceanic wine region, Tannat, grape composition

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Terclim 2022

Citation

Related articles…

Physiological and growth reaction of Shiraz/101-14 Mgt to row orientation and soil water status

Advanced knowledge on grapevine row orientation is required to improve establishment, management and outcomes of vineyards on terroirs with different environmental conditions (climate, soil, topography) and in view of a future change to more extreme climatic conditions. The purpose of this study was to determine the combined effect of row orientation, plant water status and ripeness level on the physiological and viticultural reaction of Shiraz/101-14 Mgt.

Effects of mechanical leafing and deficit irrigation on Cabernet Sauvignon grown in warm climate of California

San Joaquin Valley accounts for 40% of wine grape acreage and produces 70% of wine grape in California. Fruit quality is one of most important factors which impact the economical sustainability of farming wine grapes in this region. Due to the recent drought and expected labor cost increase, the wine industry is thrilled to understand how to improve fruit quality while maintaining the yield with less water and labor input. The present study aims to study the interactive effects of mechanical leafing and deficit irrigation on yield and berry compositions of Cabernet Sauvignon grown in warm climate of California.

The effects of cane girdling on berry texture properties and the concentration of some aroma compounds in three table grape cultivars

The marketability of the table grapes is highly influenced by the consumer demand; therefore the market value of the table grapes is mainly characterized by its berry size, colour, taste and texture. Girdling could cause accumulation of several components in plants above the ringing of the phloem including clusters and resulting improved maturity. The aim of the experiments was to examine the effect of girdling on berry texture characteristics and aroma concentration.

Application of a fluorescence-based method to evaluate the ripening process and quality of Pinot Blanc grape

The chemical composition of grape berries at harvest is one of the most important factors that should be considered to produce high quality wines. Among the different chemical classes which characterize the grape juice, the polyphenolic compound, such as flavonoids, contribute to the final taste and color of wines. Recently, an innovative non-destructive method, based on chlorophyll fluorescence, was developed to estimate the phenolic maturity of red grape varieties through the evaluation of anthocyanins accumulated in the berry skin. To date, only few data are available about the application of this method on white grape varieties.

Different yield regulation strategies in semi-minimal-pruned hedge (SMPH) and impact on bunch architecture

Yields in the novel viticulture training system Semi-Minimal-Pruned Hedge (SMPH) are generally higher compared to the traditional Vertical Shoot Positioning (VSP). Excessive yields have a negative impact on the vine and wine quality, which can result in substantial losses in yield in subsequent vintages (alternate bearing) or penalties in fruit quality. Therefore yield regulation is essential. The bunch architecture in SMPH differs from VSP. Generally there is a higher amount but smaller bunches with lower single berry weights in SMPH compared to VSP.