Climate, grapes, and wine: structure and suitability in a variable and changing climate

Abstract

Climate is a pervasive factor in the success of all agricultural systems, influencing whether a crop is suitable to a given region, largely controlling crop production and quality, and ultimately driving economic sustainability. Climate’s influence on agribusiness is never more evident than with viticulture and wine production where climate is arguably the most critical aspect in ripening fruit to optimum characteristics to produce a given wine style. Any assessment of climate for wine production must examine a multitude of factors that operate over many temporal and spatial scales. Namely climate influences must be considered at the macroscale (synoptic climate) to the mesoscale (regional climate) to the toposcale (site climate) to the microscale (vine row and canopy climate). In addition, climate influences come from both broad structural conditions and singular weather events manifested through many temperature, precipitation, and moisture parameters. To understand climate’s role in growing winegrapes and wine production one must consider 1) the weather and climate structure necessary for optimum quality and production characteristics, 2) the climate suitability to different winegrape cultivars, 3) the climate’s variability in wine producing regions, and 4) the influence of climate change on the structure, suitability, and variability of climate.

DOI:

Publication date: December 3, 2021

Issue: Terroir 2010

Type: Article

Authors

G.V. Jones

Department of Environmental Studies
Southern Oregon University
1250 Siskiyou Blvd
Ashland, Oregon

Contact the author

Keywords

Climate, grapes, wine, temperature, climate change, climate variability

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Terroir 2010

Citation

Related articles…

Relative impact of crop size and leaf removal on aromatic compounds and phenolic acids of Istrian Malvasia wine

Although several studies investigated the impact of crop size or fruit zone microclimate on aromatic or phenolic composition of wines, the effects of these two practices were not assessed and compared in the same study through a technological experiment within the same vineyard. Therefore, their relative effectiveness is hard to compare, which in turn is essential for providing producers with valuable information as a basis to choose adequate approach in yield and canopy management. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of two crop sizes and two different fruit zone microclimate conditions obtained by leaf removal in a two-factorial experiment, in order to assess and compare their relative impact on Istrian Malvasia (Vitis vinifera L.) white wine aroma and phenolic composition.

Aroma typicity of Timorasso wines: influence of ageing on volatile organic compounds and sensory descriptors

‘Timorasso’ is an autochthonous white grape variety from southern Piedmont (Italy) used for producing wines in the Colli Tortonesi product designation of origin (PDO). Over the last decade, there has been a notable rise in its production, due to the increased interest of wine enthusiasts who prized its wine distinctive ageing notes [1].

Rootstock influence on xylem embolized vulnerability and scion behavior under severe water deficit

Severe water stress events can induce cavitation damage by xylem embolism in grapevine, diminishing plant hydraulic conductance. This work aimed to determine the rootstock effects on 1) xylem embolism vulnerability to understand its function failure under severe drought, including segmentation processes from leaf to root; and 2) hydraulic conductance across water deficit and its recovery. For this purpose, two complementary experiments were performed in one-year-old Vitis vinifera cv. Tempranillo grafted onto two different rootstocks (110-Richter and SO4) under well-watered 12L pot conditions. In experiment 1, the water-stress induced xylem embolism was monitored in leaves and stems, above and below grafting-point, by using “Cavicam” for determining the percentage of embolized vessels (at P12, P50 and P88).

Climatic requirements for optimal physiological processes: a factor in viticultural zoning

Les profils climatiques appropriés pour une activité photosynthétique optimale de la vigne sont déterminés dans différentes régions d’Afrique du Sud et localités à l’intérieur d’une région particulière.

A new path for sustainable development. First results in a Venetian “bio-métaéthique company“ (Italy)

This paper will show the results of changes in income in a Veneto winery located in the municipality of Motta di Livenza (Treviso) in the North East of Italy, determined by the application of the “Holistic Universal Sustainability Charter” Metaethic 4.1CC “or” Sustainability Charter BIO-MétaÉthique 4.1CC “of GiESCO (Carbonneau, Cargnello, 2017).