terclim by ICS banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 How can historical cultivars mitigate the effects of climate change?

How can historical cultivars mitigate the effects of climate change?

Abstract

IFV, INRAe, and the national network “Partenaires de la Sélection Vigne” representing 37 organizations from the different wine regions have been working increasingly closely over the last 2 decades towards the preservation of the French varietal patrimony. There are approximately 600 patrimonial varieties according to INRAe and SupAgro Montpellier experts, including ancient cultivars (400) and intravarietal crossbreeds obtained since the 19th century. In the context of a drastic reduction in such varieties from the mid 1980’s in favor of mainstream varieties, it was essential to carry out an inventory of old vines and vineyards. INRAe Vassal collection plays a key role here as it holds the largest diversity available, along with a rich bibliography and herbariums, offering us the opportunity to document and double check the identity of a cultivar, consolidating the expertise of ampelographers. The work is carried out in several stages, from verifying the existence of a variety in a small region, through to rehabilitation. During this session, the authors present the process that leads to the official registration of a variety. After this, IFV selection center takes over to initiate the process of selection and propagation. A specific focus within regions such as the Alps, Champagne and the South-West will provide details of the full procedure. Bia, Bouysselet, Chardonnay rose, Mecle and the aptly named Tardif, are some of the cultivars that have followed this procedure. Furthermore, a recent regulation established by INAO on “varieties of interest for adaptation purposes” might boost uptake by growers. Since 2006, 36 historical cultivars have been registered. Most of these have been neglected in the past due to late maturity, lack of sugar and high titratable acidity at harvest time. Such characteristics are today considered as positive qualities, not only in mitigation of the effects of climate change, but also as an opportunity for restoring diversity…

DOI:

Publication date: May 31, 2022

Issue: Terclim 2022

Type: Article

Authors

Taran Limousin1, Olivier Yobrégat1, Laurent Audeguin1, Cécile Marchal2, Géraldine Uriel3

1Institut Français de la Vigne et du Vin, Le Grau du Roi, France
2INRAE, CRB Vassal, Marseillan, France
3Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne, Partenaires de la Sélection Vigne, Epernay, France

Contact the author

Keywords

 indigenous grapevine cultivars, French patrimony, collections, repositories, catalogue, INRAe, IFV, INAO, ampelography

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Terclim 2022

Citation

Related articles…

Zonazione e vitigni autoctoni nel sud della Basilicata: metodologie integrate per la caratterizzazione di ambienti di elezione di biotipi storici finalizzati a vini di territorio nella DOC “Terre dell’Alta Val d’Agri”

I territori della DOC “Terre dell’Alta Val d’Agri”, a Sud della regione Basilicata, si caratterizzano per una elevata biodiversità autoctona autoselezionatesi su ambienti ecologicamente ben definiti,

From geomorphological analysis to terroirs geo-pedological zonation: the Madiran and Pacherenc of Vic-Bilh A.O.C. as case of study

L’aire des A.O.C. Madiran et Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh est située sur le piémont nord-occidental des Pyrénées, au nord du cône de Ger.

The influence of native flora on Argentine white terroir cv. Torrontes Riojano

The main objective of this paper is to establish considerable differences between wines from three wine areas or terroir, made with cv Torrontes Riojano.

Evaluation de différents clones du Chardonnay pendant la maturation dans un terroir viticole du Friuli-Venezia Glulia (Nord-Est de l’Italie)

La diffusion récente et “explosive” du Chardonnay dans pratiquement toutes les zones de culture viticole du monde a fait penser, à tort, que cette variété s’adapte facilement à toutes les conditions pédo-climatiques ou presque. Cette thèse a été confirmée par la grande faculté d’adaptation dont a fait preuve le vignoble et par la popularité dont jouit le vin auprès des consommateur du monde entier.

Updating the Winkler index: An analysis of Cabernet sauvignon in Napa Valley’s varied and changing climate

This study aims to create an updated, agile viticultural climate index (similar to the Winkler Index) by performing in-depth analyses of current and historical data from industry partners in several major winegrowing regions. The Winkler Index was developed in the early twentieth century based on analysis of various grape-growing regions in California. The index uses heat accumulation (i.e. Growing Degree Days) throughout the growing season to determine which grape varieties are best suited to each region. As viticultural regions are increasingly subject to the complexity and uncertainty of a changing climate, a more rigorous, agile model is needed to aid grape growers in determining which cultivars to plant where. For the first phase of this study, 21 industry partners throughout Napa Valley shared historical phenology, harvest, viticultural practice, and weather data related to their Cabernet sauvignon vineyard blocks. To complement this data, berry samples were collected throughout the 2021 growing season from 50 vineyard blocks located throughout 16 American Viticultural Areas that were then analyzed for basic berry chemistry and phenolics. These blocks have been mapped using a Geographic Information System (GIS), enabling analysis of altitude, vineyard row orientation, slope, and remotely sensed climate data. Sampling sites were also chosen based on their proximity to a weather station. By analyzing historical data from industry partners and data specifically collected for this study, it is possible to identify key parameters for further analysis. Initial results indicate extreme variability at a high spatial resolution not currently accounted for in modern viticultural climate indices and suggest that viticultural practices play a major role. Using the structure of data collection and analyses developed for the first phase, this project will soon be expanded to other wine regions globally, while continuing data collection in Napa Valley.