Soil Temperature and Climate Change: Implications for Mediterranean Vineyards 

The aging potential of Burgundy chardonnay wines is considered as quality indicator. However, some of them exhibit higher oxidative sensitivity and premature oxidative aging symptoms, which are potentially induced by no-enzymatic oxidation such as Fenton-type reaction (Danilewicz, 2003). This chemical mechanism involves the action of transition metal, native phenolic compounds and oxygen which promote the generation of highly reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as hydroxyl radicals (OH) or 1-hydroxyethyl radicals (1-HER) from oxidation of ethanol. Such mechanism is involved in the radical oxidation occurring during bottle aging. According to Elias et al.,(2009a), the 1-HER is the most abundant radical in forced oxidation treated wines. Consequently, understanding its evolution kinetic in dry white wines is of great importance.

The crossings of three wild Vitis species are commonly used as rootstocks in wine production worldwide. Factors such as disease resistance and vigor are most important for their selection.
With climate change extending drought conditions and water limitations, the selection of rootstocks conferring increased tolerance to drought takes on greater importance. Therefore, identifying Vitis species with improved drought tolerance and incorporating them into breeding programs could contribute to more resilient rootstocks under water limiting conditions. Furthermore, those species serve as a valuable resource to increase genetic variability of rootstocks. We hypothesize that species native to drier habitats will exhibit superior physiological performance under drought stress.

Depuis le millésime 2002, une étude est menée sur la diversité de la flore fongique de parcelles du cépage chenin, situées essentiellement sur les appellations de Vouvray et Montlouis ; deux appellations séparées par le fleuve nommé la Loire. Les parcelles se situent dans des conditions pédoclimatiques différentes, qui se retrouvent au travers des suivis de maturité et l’état sanitaire.

The ‘fresh mushroom off-flavour’ has been recognized by the wine industry as an emerging defect since the 2000s. For many years, this off-flavour was not specifically characterized and rather grouped under ‘earthy’ and ‘musty’ taints. However, it has become increasingly problematic due to its rising prevalence. In some vineyards, incidents of this off-flavour now occur as frequently as once every five years. This trend may be associated with climatic changes affecting regions that are more prone to warm and wet seasons.

In recent years, the increase in temperature and the changes in rainfall distribution caused by climate change are affecting vine and grape physiology and are consequently impacting wine composition and quality (Schultz, 2000; Jones et al., 2005).