Identification and evaluation of the winemaking sub-zones of the PDO Amyndeo winegrowing region

Abstract

Context and purpose of the study. The concept of terroir encompasses the investigation of the physical environment’s influence on grapevine physiology, grape composition, and wine quality, with an emphasis on employing viticultural zoning techniques to systematically characterize and analyze terroirs. These interactions are fundamental in determining vine development, grape composition, and, ultimately, the sensory characteristics of the resulting wine. Despite its importance, the integration of remote sensing technologies with established zoning methodologies has not been extensively examined. Moreover, the application of zoning techniques is particularly challenging in regions where data on climate and grape cultivation are scarce or unavailable. The primary aim of this study is to identify and validate the viticultural subzones within the PDO Amyndeon wine-growing area by integrating remote sensing data with viticultural data collected over two consecutive growing seasons. This process of identification and validation will pave the way for future research to evaluate the correlation between the combined data and the organoleptic properties of wines produced from each experimental vineyard.

Material and methods. The study area is the PDO Amyndeo wine growing region in the area of Western Macedonia. To identify and evaluate the subzones, freely accessible satellite data were employed, selected based on their documented influence on grape quality as reported in the literature. Specifically, data related to soil properties, climatic conditions, and topography within the broader study area were analyzed to produce maps. These maps facilitated the selection of experimental vineyards, which were subsequently used to validate the preliminary zoning assessment. Over two consecutive growing seasons, detailed measurements of the vineyards’ qualitative and quantitative characteristics were conducted, providing a robust dataset for the verification and refinement of the identified subzones.

Results. The initial mapping of the broader PDO Amyndeon region classified the area into four distinct suitability categories for the cultivation of Xinomavro and the production of premium red wine. The validity of these suitability classifications was substantiated through measurements conducted in experimental vineyards. More specifically, the vineyards in the Fanos area exhibited statistically significant differences in skin weight, grape weight, and pruning wood weight compared to the vineyards in the Limni, Vegora, and Lofos areas. In contrast, no statistically significant differences were observed when compared with vineyards in the Xino Nero area, aligning with the findings derived from satellite data estimations. Additionally, the Limni, Vegora, and Lofos areas showed statistical differences only in leaf area and total anthocyanin content, further confirming their lower suitability for Xinomavro cultivation relative to the Fanos and Xino Nero areas.