Grapegrowing soils

Soil management plays a key role in climate change adaptation.

During a three-year period, the vineyards of the Carnuntum wine district are investigated for their terroir characteristics. The interdisciplinary study is aimed at the description of the physiogeographic

The French grapevine breeding program for durable resistance to downy and powdery mildew (INRAE-ResDur) was initiated more than 20 years ago to help reduce the heavy use of plant protection products and provide a durable mean to cope with a strong pathogen pressure. This program has now proved to be effective, with about ten new varieties already officially registered. However, there is still a lot to be done (1) to reduce the duration of each breeding cycle, (2) to diversify disease factors’ pyramiding and anticipate emerging diseases, (3) to work towards larger adoption of the new resistant varieties. New breeding schemes incorporating for example genomic prediction of breeding values are being evaluated to accelerate genetic gains, saving cost and time while handling complex traits.

Grapevine naturally endures stresses like heat, drought, and hypoxia. A recent study showed very low oxygen levels inside grape berries, linked to ethanol content.

Right after serving a sparkling wine into a glass, thousands of rising and bursting bubbles convey gas-phase CO2 and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the headspace above the champagne surface, thus progressively modifying the gaseous chemical space perceived by the consumer [1].