Advancing grapevine science through genomic research

Clonal selection represents a key approach in the genetic improvement of grapevines. Its primary objective is to fix, within commercial clones, the cumulative somatic variations that have arisen over time in vegetatively propagated vineyards and that confer valuable agronomic traits.

For coopers, seasoning and toasting are considered crucial steps in barrel making during which the oak wood develops specific organoleptic properties. Seasoning, carried out in the open air, allows reducing the moisture content of the staves to between 14 and 18% (compared to 70 to 90% after splitting) while modulating the intrinsic composition of the oak wood. Toasting consists of applying different degrees of heat to a barrel for a specific period of time. As the temperature increases, oak wood produces a wide range of chemical compounds through thermal degradation of its intrinsic composition.

This study used climatic and topographic data to characterize the sub-appellations that have been recently delineated in the Niagara Peninsula viticulture area in order to assess their potential for ripening early to late season Vitis vinifera varieties. No major differences were found in the ripening-period mean temperatures, but major differences in the diurnal temperature ranges were observed.

Black rot, caused by the ascomycete Guignardia bidwellii (anamorph Phyllosticta ampelicida), is an important fungal disease of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) and can lead to severe yield losses, particularly under warm and humid conditions.

Terroir well described empirically but a unifying physical theory explaining its existence and persistence remains elusive.