Terroir 2010 banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 Satellite imagery : a tool for large scale vineyard management

Satellite imagery : a tool for large scale vineyard management

Abstract

Remote sensing, using Near Infra Red wavelength, can characterize within-vineyard variability using vegetation index. Between 2007 and 2009, a study was led on the vineyards of a cooperative winery, in Fitou area (France) aiming at characterizing vineyard oenological potential. A vegetation index, green leaf cover, developed on crops (wheat, rice, corn…) was implemented on vineyards.
In a first stage, it was proved that the use of 2m/pixel resolution gave the same precision of field variability mapping than a 0,50 m/pixel resolution, which made possible the use of satellite datas, covering a 57 600 or 302 500 ha zone (respectively 24 km x 24 km or 55 km x 55km). Then a heterogeneity index, adapted from Pringle’s opportunity could be calculated for each vine, which can be characterized by an average leaf cover index (a “vigor” index), and an heterogeneity index. Detection of high levels of bare soil in a vine can also be identified automatically.
Based on these indexes, each vine can be characterized and gathered with other vines with the same characteristics (homogeneous vines with either low or high vigour, heterogeneous vines, abnormal vines with excessive bare soil….). According to such a classification realized just before veraison, the winery could select bins corresponding to each quality of vines. Separate vinifications proved sensorial differences on wines: homogeneous vines would give wines with intense jammy and spicy flavours, interesting body in mouth, and smooth tannins, whereas heterogeneous vines tended to produce wines with more red fruit and grassy aromas, and coarser tannins. These differences are consistent from year to year. This selection method is used on 50 % of carignan vines by the winery, which cannot be visited by its technical staff.

Download the PDF

DOI:

Publication date: October 6, 2020

Issue: Terroir 2010

Type: Article

Authors

J. ROUSSEAU(1), H. POILVE(2), B. TISSEYRE(3), J. COLLAS(4), D. GRANES(5)

(1) Groupe Institut Coopératif du Vin La Jasse de Maurin F34970 LATTES
(2) INFOTERRA Parc Technologique du Canal – 15, Avenue de l’Europe F31522 RAMONVILLE , France
(3) SUPAGRO UMR ITAP Place Viala F34060 MONTPELLIER France
(4) Vignerons du Mont Tauch F11350 TUCHAN

Contact the author

Keywords

Remote sensing, satellite imagery, vine selection, wine quality, within-vineyard variability

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Terroir 2010

Citation

Related articles…

Terroir effects on the response of Tempranillo grapevines to irrigation in four locations of Spain: grape and must composition

This work discusses the effects of soil and weather conditions on the grape composition of cv. Tempranillo in four different locations of Spain, during the 2008-2011 seasons.
Read More

The use of cation exchange resins for wine acidity adjustment: Optimization of the process and the effects on tartrate formation and oxidative stability

Acidity adjustments are key to microbial control, sensory quality and wine longevity. Acidification with cation exchange resins -in acid cycle- offers the possibility to reduce the pH by exchanging wine cations, such as potassium (K+), for hydrogen ions (H+). During the exchange process, the removal of potassium and calcium ions contributes to limiting the formation of tartrate salts, thus offering an alternative solution to conventional methods for tartrate stability. Moreover, the reduction of wine pH and the removal of metals catalyzers (e.g. iron) could positively impact the wine’s oxidative stability. Therefore, the aims of this work were (a) to optimize the ion exchange process by testing different volumes and concentrations of sulfuric acid (H2SO4) during the acid cycle, (b) evaluate the effects of the ion exchange process on the formation of tartrate salts, and (c) analyze the oxidative stability of the treated wines.

Read More

New genomic techniques, plant variety rights and wine law

The paper discusses potential implications of New Genomic Technologies (NGTs) on European Plant Variety and Wine Law.

Read More

Wine tannins: What place for grape seed?

Phenolic compounds are among the most important quality factors of wines. They contribute to the organoleptic characteristics of wine such as colour, astringency, and bitterness. Although tannins found in wine can come from microbial and oak sources, the main sources of polyphenols are skin and seed from grapes. Yet, the link between grape seed phenolic content and wine composition, or even the link between seed maturity stage and wine composition are poorly studied. This work describes and explains the seed tannins kinetics release in wine, but also the impact of seed maturity stage on seed tannins extractability.

Read More

Use of ultrasounds to accelerate aging on lees of red wines

Aging on lees (AOL) is a powerful technique to protect varietal aroma and color. Simultaneously, helps to soften tannins and increase and improve wine body and structure. AOL is complementary to barrel aging modulating the wood impact and protecting wine from oxidative conditions.

Read More