Focus on terroir studies in the eger wine region of Hungary

In 2001, the Hungarian Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development designated the Institute of Geodesy, Cartography and Remote Sensing (FÖMI) to elaborate a Geographic Information System (GIS) supported Vineyard Register (VINGIS) in Hungary. The basis of this work was a qualification methodology (vineyard and wine cellar cadastre system) dating back to several decades, however, in the 1980s and 1990s the available geographical maps and information technology did not provide enough accuracy for an overall evaluation of viticultural areas. The reason for the VINGIS elaboration and development was an obligation resulting from the EU membership to ensure the agricultural subsidies for the wine–viticulture sector.

The aim of our study from 2008 was to use the most advanced methodology available to create a geo-referenced model database describing production sites in the Eger wine region. The database includes geo-referenced information of geomorphology (slope, exposition, and elevation), lithology, soil type, depth of water table and pH of soil water. Special dataset was introduced in the database of 9 production sites cultivating Vitis vinifera L. cv. ‘Kékfrankos’ (Blaufränkisch), the most abundant red grape cultivar of the region and of Hungary. The vines on the selected sites were of similar age, plant and row distance, all vertically shoot positioned. Soil and canopy management were performed similarly, as well. Meteorological data were collected from automatic weather stations nearby the examined sites, physical and chemical soil properties were analyzed, phenological stages, yield quantity and quality, as well as wine analytical data and the results of organoleptic evaluation were registered for 3 years. Ortophotos of the investigated sites and hyperspectral NDVI pictures of three special sites were also added to the database.

This study serves as the first model for Hungary, how GIS can aid the classification and characterization of different terroirs and may promote the elaboration of a precise viti-vinicultural practice and appellation origin control system.