Electromagnetic conductivity mapping and harvest zoning: deciphering relationships between soil and wine quality

Context and purpose of the study ‐ An advancement of grapevine phenological development has been observed worldwide in the last two decades. In South Australia this phenomenon is even more accentuated since grapevine is often grown in a hot climate. The main consequences are earlier harvests at higher sugar levels which also result in more alcoholic wines. These are deemed undesirable for the Australian wine industry with consumer preferences shifting towards lower alcohol wines. Vineyard practices can be implemented to control and delay ripening. Amongst them, apical late leaf removal has been successfully applied in Europe to delay ripening by up to two weeks in Sangiovese, Aglianico and Riesling. In those studies, no negative effects were observed on grape colour, phenolics and on the carbohydrate storage capacity of the vines. To date, this technique has not been studied in Australia. In this study late leaf removal, apical to the bunch zone was applied to the variety Semillon for four seasons and compared to an untreated control.

Agroscope is investigating the impact of yield on nitrogen (N) partitioning in grapevine and on must composition. The mechanism of N assimilation

The climate has warmed over the past century or more bringing about changes in numerous aspects in both earth and human systems

The regulation of weeds, particularly in the under-vine area of grapevines, is essential for the maintenance of grape yield and quality.

Wildfires are becoming more common in many areas of the world that are also associated with wine grape production, especially the Pacific northwest United States, Australia and even some areas of France.