terclim by ICS banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 International Congress on Grapevine and Wine Sciences 9 2ICGWS-2023 9 Evaluation of phenology, agronomic and oenological quality in minority wine varieties in Madrid as a strategy for adaptation to climate change

Evaluation of phenology, agronomic and oenological quality in minority wine varieties in Madrid as a strategy for adaptation to climate change

Abstract

The main phenological stages (budburst, flowering, veraison, and ripeness) and the fruit composition of 34 Spanish minority varieties were studied to determine their cultivation potential and help winegrowers adapt their production systems to climate change conditions. In total, 4 control cultivars, and 30 minority varieties from central Spain were studied during a period of 3 campaigns, in the ampelographic collection “El Encín”, in Alcalá de Henares, Madrid. Agronomic and oenological characteristics such as yield, and total soluble solids concentration have been monitored.

Periods of expression of the main phenological stages were identified; sprouting, for 3 to 4 weeks; 9 days of flowering, appearance of veraison for 4 weeks and a sprouting period to harvest that occurs between 20 and 30 weeks. The results allow us to classify the varieties, according to the moment of their maturation (early, medium, and late in all varieties, plus very early and very late, in red varieties only) and with an average yield per plant (low, medium, and high) ranging from 200 to 1,200 g/plant.  

The reduction of the usual phenology periods and decrease in the acidity of musts, increase in pH, and concentration of sugars early, are considered negative effects of climate change [1]. The composition of the fruit is reflected in the concentration of ºBrix, which ranged from 15.8 – 27.1 ºBrix; pH, from 2.90 and 4.19; total acidity between 1.48 and 6.83 g/L of tartaric acid and malic acid between 0.16 and 3.70 g/L. Minority varieties tend to thrive in increasingly warm conditions, with periods of late sprouting and early ripening, which can help combat the risk of late frosts [2].

It is suggested that late or very late ripening varieties, which currently manage to ripen in warm conditions, with a sufficient accumulation of total soluble solids (20-22 ºBrix), high acidity values, and yields higher than 0.5 kg/plant, can be cultivated as new plant material for the mitigation of the effects of climate change in the viticulture of central Spain.

Acknowledgments: Project RTI2018-101085-R-C31 (MINORVIN) funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by ERDF A way of making Europe. F.E.E-R. has received a grant (PRE2019-089073) funded by MCIN/AEI/ 10.13039/501100011033 and ESF Investing in your future.

References:

1)  Muñoz-Organero, G. et al. (2022). Phenological Study of 53 Spanish Minority Grape Varieties to Search for Adaptation of Vitiviniculture to Climate Change Conditions. Horticulturae 2022, 8, 984. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8110984

2)  Clingeleffer, P.R. & Davis, H.P. (2022). Assessment of phenology, growth characteristics and berry composition in a hot Australian climate to identify wine cultivars adapted to climate change. Australian Journal of Grape and Wine Research., 28: 255-275, DOI: 10.1111/ajgw.12544

DOI:

Publication date: October 11, 2023

Issue: ICGWS 2023

Type: Poster

Authors

Espinosa-Roldán F. E.1*, Muñoz-Organero G.1, Martinez De Toda F.2, Crespo García J.1, Fernandez-Pastor M.1, Sanchez V. 1, Cabello F.1, García-Díaz A.1

1Instituto Madrileño de Investigación y Desarrollo Rural Agrario y Alimentario (IMIDRA), Finca El Encín, 28805 Alcalá de Henares, Spain
2ICVV (Universidad de La Rioja, CSIC, Gobierno de La Rioja), c/ Madre de Dios, 51, 26006 Logroño, Spain

Contact the author*

Keywords

phenology, climate change, minority grape varieties, ripeness

Tags

2ICGWS | ICGWS | ICGWS 2023 | IVES Conference Series

Citation

Related articles…

Agronomic and oenological behavior of the minority Mandón variety on two rootstocks in the D.O. Arribes

A large population of vines of the Mandón minority red variety (synonymous with Garró) has been located in old vineyards of the D.O. Arribes (Zamora and Salamanca) to conserve and recover this minority variety. The wines made with this variety are characterized by their good structure and color, interesting harmony, an excellently low pH, with high acidity, as well as complex aromas of blue fruits and a marked and expressive minerality.

Effect of two water deficit regimes on the agronomic response of 12 grapevine varieties cultivated in a semi-arid climate

The Mediterranean basin is one of the most vulnerable regions to Climate Change effects. According to unanimous forecasts, the vineyards of Castilla-La Mancha will be among the most adversely affected by rising temperatures and water scarcity during the vine’s vegetative period. One potential strategy to mitigate the negative impacts of these changes involves the identification of grapevine varieties with superior water use efficiency, while ensuring satisfactory yields and grape quality.

The tolerance of grapevine rootstocks to water deficit is related to root morphology and xylem anatomy traits 

Climate change is altering water balances, thereby compromising water availability for crops. In grapevine, the strategic selection of genotypes more tolerant to soil water deficit can improve the resilience of the vineyard under this scenario. Previous studies demonstrated that root anatomical and morphological traits determine vine performance under water deficit conditions. Therefore, 13 ungrafted rootstock genotypes, 6 commercial (420 A, 41 B, Evex 13-5, Fercal, 140 Ru y 110 R), and 7 from new breeding programs (RG2, RG3, RG4, RG7, RG8, RG9 and RM2) were evaluated in pots during 2021 and 2022.

Combined use of leaf removal and natural shading to delay grape ripening in Manto negro (Vitis vinifera L.) under deficit irrigation 

The increasingly frequent heat waves during grape ripening pose challenges for premium wine grape production. This makes the development of irrigation and canopy management techniques of great importance to maximize yield and grape quality. A field experiment was carried out during 2021 and 2022 using Manto negro wine grapes to study the effect of two irrigation strategies and different light exposure levels on grape quality.

Late pruning, an alternative for rainfed vine varieties facing new climatic conditions

In Chile there is a dry farming area known as a traditional wine region, where varieties brought by the Spanish conquerors still persist. These varieties, in general, are cultivated under traditional systems, with low use of technical and economic resources, and low profitability for their grapes and wines. In this region, as in other wine grape growing areas, climatic conditions have changed significantly in recent decades. In particular, the occurrence of spring frosts, when bud break has already begun, have generated significant losses for these growers.