Canopy spatial architecture as a structural adaptation to climate warming in Pinot noir (Burgundy, France)

Abstract

Climate warming is advancing grapevine phenology and shifting ripening toward hotter periods, challenging the preservation of wine typicity in temperate regions (van Leeuwen & Darriet, 2016). In Burgundy, the traditional vertical shoot-positioned system historically optimized radiation under cool conditions, but increasing summer temperatures may accelerate sugar accumulation and reduce acidity (Poni et al., 2018). Structural modification of training systems is increasingly considered a long-term adaptation strategy (Santos et al., 2021; Gutiérrez-Gamboa et al., 2021), as canopy spatial organization directly modulates radiation, temperature and airflow within the fruiting zone (Carbonneau, 1980). This study compares three canopy architectures in Pinot noir (Vosne-Romanée, France) at constant planting density (10,000 plants/ha): low espalier (reference), high espalier, and paisseaux (discontinuous bush-type system). Exposed leaf area per hectare (ELA) was estimated using a geometric approach assuming 20% canopy porosity. ELA reached 15,600 m²/ha in low espalier and 23,600 m²/ha in high espalier (+50%), whereas paisseaux exhibited 12,000 m²/ha — 20% lower than the reference and nearly half that of high espalier despite similar canopy height. Cluster radiation, wind circulation, berry temperature, vine water status (stem water potential and δ¹³C), and must composition were monitored during the vintage 2025. Canopy architecture significantly altered berry-zone microclimate: espaliers generated corridor wind effects aligned with row orientation, while paisseaux promoted multidirectional airflow and reduced peak solar interception. Lower ELA in paisseaux suggests reduced evaporative demand per hectare, without inducing greater vine water stress. Vine water status remained comparable across systems, as indicated by both stem water potential measurements during the warmest days and δ¹³C values at harvest (δ¹³C < −26‰), consistent with the absence of seasonal water deficit. Slightly higher stem water potentials were observed in paisseaux on most measurement dates, together with a tendency toward more negative δ¹³C values. Cluster-level degree-day accumulation was lower in paisseaux. At harvest, paisseaux maintained higher total acidity, with statistically significant increases in malic and tartaric acid concentrations. These preliminary findings, based on the 2025 vintage, suggest that canopy spatial discontinuity and reduced exposed leaf area per hectare enhance microclimatic buffering capacity. Bush-type architectures may therefore represent a viable structural adaptation to preserve freshness and typicity of Pinot noir under ongoing climate warming.

References

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