Is it possible to reduce berry sugar content while keeping acidity and phenolic structure in warm climates? Advanced viticultural practices

Abstract

Climate change poses significant challenges to Mediterranean viticulture, including increased temperatures, reduced precipitation, and altered grape composition. This article reviews short- and mid-term viticultural strategies to improve red grape quality under warm climate conditions. Key practices include delayed pruning, crop-load increase, minimal pruning, crop forcing, and double harvest, all aimed at delaying ripening and enhancing berry composition. Canopy and soil management techniques, such as trimming, late leaf removal, cover crops, and mulching, are also discussed for their role in modulating microclimate and water use. Moreover, varietal selection, training systems, cover crops, and irrigation strategies are considered synergistic and complementary tools. But, in general, these approaches focus on manipulating the grapevine cycle and optimizing the leaf area-to-yield ratio (LA/Y), which is “balanced around 1 m²/kg” for optimal berry development. The integration of these practices can mitigate the negative effects of warming, improve grape acidity and phenolic content, and support sustainable red wine production in Mediterranean regions.

References

de la Fuente, M.; Linares, R.; Baeza Trujillo, P.; Lissarrague, J.R. Is it possible to reduce berry sugar content while keeping acidity and phenolic structure in warm climates? Advanced Viticultural Practices. Technical article based on the work presented at Enoforum Spain 2026, Zaragoza, 20–21 May 2026. Available at: https://www.infowine.com/en/is-it-possible-to-reduce-berry-sugar-content-while-keeping-acidity-and-phenolic-structure-in-warm-climates-advanced-viticultural-practices/