Conversion to mechanical management in vineyards maintains fruit

Climate change will increase the frequency of water deficit experienced in certain european regions, due to increased evapotranspiration and reduced rainfall during the growing cycle. We therefore need to find ways of adaption, including the use of more drought-tolerant planting material. In addition to the varieties used as grafts and involved in the wine ypicity of our wines, rootstocks selection is a relevant way of adapting to more restrictive environmental conditions.

In the context of the three global crises of global warming, loss of biodiversity and environmental pollution, current agricultural practices need to be reconsidered [1]. Viticulture in particular can contribute to this by optimising plant protection [2].

Polysaccharides (PS) are one of the main compounds found in wines, and they come mainly from the grape cell walls or from the yeasts, and they play an important role in the technological and sensory characteristics of wines. Polysaccharides obtained from yeasts have been more studied, especially mannoproteins, since there are commercial products.

The plant rhizosphere microbial communities are an essential component of plant microbiota, which is crucial for sustaining the production of healthy crops. The main drivers of the composition of such communities are the growing environment and the planted genotype. Recent viticulture studies focus on understanding the effects of these factors on soil microbial composition since microbial biodiversity is an important determinant of plant phenotype, and of wine’s organoleptic properties. Microbial biodiversity of different wine regions, for instance, is an important determinant of wine terroir.

In recent years, consumer demand for products without chemical additives increased, becoming a priority for the wine sector. SO₂ is widely used for its multiple properties including antiseptics, antioxidants and antioxidasics and the strategy of bioprotection in winemaking represents now an alternative to this chemical additive. In oenology, results have highlighted the interest of bioprotection to limit the development of microorganisms like Hanseniaspora uvarum and thus reduce the doses of sulphite. Indeed, this species is considered because of its acetic acid and methyl butyl acetate production, the latter can cover the varietal character of wines.