Enoforum 2021
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 Enoforum Web 9 Enoforum Web Conference 2021 9 TerraClim, an online spatial decision support system for the wine industry

TerraClim, an online spatial decision support system for the wine industry

Abstract

Climate projections for the future suggest favourable conditions for some wine producing regions, but challenging conditions for others. For instance, temperature increases are likely to shift grapevine phenology, ripening and harvest dates, and potentially affect grape quality and yield. The commercial value of accurate and up-to-date climate emerged from feedback received in response to a series of demonstrations to the wine and fruit industries. TerraClim combines high resolution terrain data with weather station data (sourced from several data providers) to model climatic conditions within an orchard or vineyard. The TerraClim climate database allows for dynamic mapping, statistical interrogation, data mining, machine learning and climate change analyses over time and space. The TerraClim initiative has a strong research and development drive that involves continuously updating and extending the climate and terrain databases, automated data collection, interpolation protocol development, as well as the extension of existing logger and weather station networks. The developed technology is novel and scalable to other regions. As proof of concept, the TerraClim webapp (www.terraclim.co.za) presents high temporal and spatial resolution maps of climatic and geographic datasets as a series of dynamic near-real time map layers. The webapp includes an interactive vineyard profiling tool, query functionality and crop/cultivar suitability analysis. TerraClim allows users to obtain pertinent information about climate, terrain and soils to aid long- and short-term agricultural decision-making.

DOI:

Publication date: April 23, 2021

Issue: Enoforum 2021

Type: Article

Authors

Tara Southey*, Adriaan Van Niekerk

Department of Geography & Environmental Studies, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland (Stellenbosch) 7602, South Africa

Contact the author

Tags

Enoforum 2021 | IVES Conference Series

Citation

Related articles…

A vine physiology-based terroir study in the AOC-Lavaux region in Switzerland

Understanding how different pedoclimatic conditions interact with vine and berry physiology, and subsequently impact wine quality, is paramount for an good valorization of viticultural terroirs and can help to optimize mitigation strategies in the face of global warming

The effect of viticultural treatment on grape juice chemical composition

Viticultural management regimes influence the soil elemental profile of a vineyard, determining the microbial community distribution, insect life, and plant biochemistry and physiology

CONTRIBUTION OF VOLATILE THIOLS TO THE AROMA OF RIESLING WINES FROM THREE REGIONS IN GERMANY AND FRANCE (RHEINGAU, MOSEL, AND ALSACE)

Riesling wines are appreciated for their diverse aromas, ranging from the fruity fresh characters in young vintages to the fragrant empyreumatic notes developed with aging. Wine tasters often refer to Riesling wines as prime examples showcasing terroir, with their typical aroma profiles reflecting the geographical provenance of the wine. However, the molecular basis of the distinctive aromas of these varietal wines from major Riesling producing regions in Europe have not been fully elucidated. In this study, new lights were shed on the chemical characterization and the sensory contribution of volatile thiols to Riesling wines from Rheingau, Mosel, and Alsace. First, Riesling wines (n = 46) from the three regions were collected and assessed for their aroma typicality by an expert panel.

TOWARDS THE SHELF-LIFE PREDICTION OF OLD CHAMPAGNE VINTAGES DEPENDING ON THE BOTTLE CAPACITY

Today, nearly one billion bottles of different sizes and capacities are aging in Champagne cellars while waiting to be put on the market. Among them, several tens of thousands of prestigious cuvees elaborated prior the 2000s are potentially concerned by prolonged aging on lees. However, when it comes to champagne tasting, dissolved CO₂ is a key compound responsible for the very much sought-after effer-vescence in glasses [1]. Yet, the slow decrease of dissolved CO₂ during prolonged aging of the most prestigious cuvees raises the issue of how long a champagne can age before it becomes unable to form CO₂ bubbles during tasting [2].

“Garrigues”, part of the mediterranean vine terroirs

Les paysages viticoles méditerranéens présentent une originalité qui ne se retrouve nulle part ailleurs : ils associent des garrigues très odoriférantes à des parcelles de vignes souvent qualitatives. La connaissance empirique des vins du Languedoc par leurs dégustateurs a conduit la Chambre d’Agriculture de l’Hérault à supposer que les arômes de la garrigue environnante peuvent se retrouver dans les vins (arômes de ciste, de genévrier, … )