Study on the sensitivity and adaptability of viticultural practices: wine growers’ responses to climate variability

Abstract

The concept of terroir is defined as the complex interaction between physical, biological and cultural factors, influencing vine growth, berry composition, wine quality and style. The impacts of viticultural strategies and decision making are thus very important. With significant changes in climate and natural terroir units, a greater understanding of the ability of viticultural practices to deal with climate risks and opportunities is necessary to better assess the prospects of adapting to climate variability and change. This paper aims to present wine growers’ responses to recent climate experiences, to identify climate sensitivity of viticultural practices and to study the adaptive capacity of wine growers. Two separate in-depth interviews were carried out. In 2011, 15 wine growers in Anjou and Saumur responded to the sensitivity of 21 annual practices to weather conditions. In 2012, 15 wine growers in the AOP Coteaux du Layon responded to how they have adapted their viticultural strategies at different spatial and temporal scales during the last 20 years. For the 21 annual practices, weather constraints and thresholds that determine favorable and unfavorable working periods, techniques and machinery involved, were identified. During the last 20 years, perennial and annual practices have evolved as wine growers seek to better manage water resources in a warmer and dryer climate. Adaptation strategies were dynamic, since wine growers considered the environmental factors of each plot. The ability to adapt was related to recent climate experiences, with winemaking practices permitting short term adaptations and changes in rootstocks providing long term adaptations. The study illustrates the sensitivity of viticultural practices and the vulnerability of wine growers to climate conditions, but also highlights their innovative adaptation capacities at plot scales, in a context of climate change.