Using open source software in viticultural research

The definition of soil health is complex due to the lack of agreement on adequate indicators and to the high variability of global soils. Nevertheless, it has been widely used as synonymous of soil quality for more than one decade, and there is a consensus warning of scientists that soil quality and biodiversity loss are occurring due to the traditional intensive agricultural practices. In this work we monitored a set of soil parameters, both physicochemical and microbiological, in an experimental vineyard under three different management and land use systems: a) addition of external organic matter (EOM) to tilled soil; b) no tillage and plant cover between grapevine rows, and c) grapevines planted in rows running down the slope and tilled soil.

Phenolic compounds are fundamental to wine quality, influencing its colour, mouthfeel, stability, and ageing
potential [1]. Their extraction and evolution during fermentation plays a crucial role in determining the final sensory
attributes and requires careful monitoring to guide winemaking decisions.

Increasing wildfire frequency in the United States has led to the indirect impact of smoke in vineyards, affecting grape quality and wine sensory attributes, commonly called “smoke taint”.

The red Italian variety Nebbiolo (Vitis vinifera L.), used in the production of the prestigious Barolo and Barbaresco wines, is renowned for its aromatic and structural complexity but also for its low color intensity.

Climate can greatly affect grape yield and quality (van Leeuwen et al., 2024). Growing suitable cultivars in a given region and or breed environmental resilient cultivars are essential for maintaining viticulture sustainability, particularly in the face of climate change (Wolkovich et al., 2018).