Using geographic information system (GIS) to define some indicators at climate and soil level of Primitivo wine

Abstract

The old world and the new world wine-making philosophies tried to explain wine quality with role of nature and organoleptic characteristics of the wine (Parodi, 1997). Among the various environmental factors specifically, climate and soil are the most important factor on viticulture zoning due to its direct effect on wine development and wine quality (Van Leeuwen et al, 2007). To study this aspect, GIS (Geographic Information System) plays a key factor to find parameters which have a key role in defining homogenous zones. The main objective of the work was to create a thematic database and an implementation of a GIS-model with innovative aspects related to geomorphological and climate datas and soil and land use of a specific area designing and introducing a set of descriptive indicators of agro-ecological characteristics of the territories. A software called ArcMap 9.3.1 has been used for spatial interpolations to create a study map of the area. The study has been carried out in a denomination of origin (DOP) named “Gioia del Colle”, placed in Italy in the Puglia Region. A local variety of the DOP (Primitivo) and the experimental parcels have been selected according to density, age and growing form choosing 32 fields.  According to data, the GIS tool created to define some parameters based on like geomorphology and pedology, climate and other more specific measurements such as Winkler index and Huglin indexes. As a result it allow us to get a computerized recording of the zoning, shows the crossing of different levels of information, such as texture,  and some other maps. The choice of the data used, their origin and the indices calculated is built according to our objectives.  The recorded data from meteorological stations allows having access to most of the indicators relevant to the realization of a climate zonation. İn the end, the indicators shows the spesicig local characteristics in municipalietes base and creates a homogeneus areas of the DOP Gioia del Colle.

The results shows, the fields fall in the Casamassima, Adelfia, Conversano and Sammichele di Bari which has a loamy soil, have significantly higher total anthocyanin values. In the contrary the Gioa del Colle, sandy loam soil type, has significantly lover anthocyanin value. The extractable anthocyanin, Casamassima and Aldelfia, were higher than the others.. For sugar contents, Adelfia and Aquaviva have higher values than the other fields, because the root depth area has important role on sugar content. In additon, the Winkler and Huglin indexes has significant role on pH, Sugar, and total antochyanin. The sampling method was completely randomized way, for each analyze, half kg of grape berries were used.