Future scenarios for viticultural climatic zoning in Europe

Abstract

Climate is one of the main conditioning factors of winemaking. In this context, bioclimatic indices are a useful zoning tool, allowing the description of the suitability of a particular region for wine production. In this study, we compute climatic indices for Europe, characterize regions with different viticultural aptitude, and assess possible variations in these regions under a future climate conditions using a state-of-the-art regional climate model. The indices are calculated from climatic variables (mostly daily temperatures and precipitation) obtained from the regional climate model COSMO-CLM for recent and future climate conditions. Maps of theses indices for recent decades (1961-2000) and for the XXI century (following the SRES A1B scenario) are considered to identify possible changes. Results show that climate change is projected to have a significant negative impact in wine quality by increased dryness and cumulative thermal effects during growing seasons in Southern European regions (e.g. Portugal, Spain and Italy). These changes represent an important constraint to grapevine growth and development, making crucial adaptation/mitigation strategies to be adopted. On the other hand, regions of western and central Europe (e.g. southern Britain, northern France and Germany) will benefit from this scenario both in wine quality, and in new potential areas for viticulture. This approach provides a macro-characterization of European areas where grapevines may preferentially grow, as well as their projected changes, and is thus a valuable tool for viticultural zoning in a changing climate.

DOI:

Publication date: December 3, 2021

Issue: Terroir 2010

Type: Article

Authors

A. C. Malheiro (1), J. A. Santos (1), H. Fraga (1), J. G. Pinto (2)

1) Centre for Research and Technology of Agro-Environment and Biological Sciences (CITAB), University of Trásos-Montes e Alto Douro, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal
(2) Institut für Geophysik und Meteorologie, Universität zu Köln, Kerpener Str. 13, 50923 Köln, Germany

Contact the author

Keywords

Viticultural zoning, scenarios, Europe, climate change, CLM

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Terroir 2010

Citation

Related articles…

Effect of different winemaking practices on chemical composition, aroma profile and sensory perception of ribolla gialla sparkling wines

This study aims at evaluating the effects of different refermentation methods (Martinotti/Charmat vs. Classic) on the chemical composition, aroma profile and sensory characteristics of Ribolla Gialla sparkling wines; furthermore, certain winemaking practices (skin contact and use of pectolytic enzymes) were investigated considering the extraction of varietal aromas and aroma precursors. METHODS: Sparkling wines were produced at pilot-plant scale. Concerning refermentation methods, traditional Martinotti (MB – 30 days length), extended Martinotti (ML) with 4 months of aging on lees and Classic method (CL) with 11 months of aging on lees were compared; in a second trial, skin contact (MM), enzyme addition on must also subjected to maceration (ME), and enzyme addition on base wine (VE) were evaluated. All experimental trials were performed in triplicate. Basic chemical composition, varietal (terpenes and C13-norisoprenoids in free and bound form) and non-varietal aroma compounds were evaluated by LLE-GCMS analysis; finally, sensory analysis was also performed, by descriptive testing.

Screening of hydroxytyrosol and tyrosine related metabolites in commercial wines by an UHPLC/MS validated method.

Hydroxytyrosol (HT) is a bioactive phenolic compound with antioxidant activity. Yeast synthetise tyrosol from tyrosine by the Ehrlich pathway which is subsequently hydroxylated to HT. The aim of the present work is to develop and validate an UHPLC–HRMS method to assess the metabolites involved in this pathway as well as to screen Spanish commercial wines for HT bioactive compound.

Defining gene regulation and co-regulation at single cell resolution in grapevine

Conventional molecular analyses provide bulk genomic/transcriptomic data that are unable to reveal the cellular heterogeneity and to precisely define how gene networks orchestrate organ development. We will profile gene expression and identify open chromatin regions at the individual cells level, allowing to define cell-type specific regulatory elements, developmental trajectories and transcriptional networks orchestrating organ development and function. We will perform scRNA-seq and snATAC-seq on leaf/berry protoplasts and nuclei and combine them with the leaf/berry bulk tissues obtained results, where the analysis of transcripts, chromatin accessibility, histone modification and transcription factor binding sites showed that a large fraction of phenotypic variation appears to be determined by regulatory rather than coding variation and that many variants have an organ-specific effect.

Pro-active management of grapevine trunk diseases by means of sanitation in nurseries

Several trunk diseases cause decline and premature dieback of grapevines. In vineyards, these pathogens gain entry into plants through unprotected wounds. Wounds are also frequently infected during the propagation stages. The pathogens survive in infected plants in a latent form and cause disease in older grapevines or in plants that are

The history of the first demarkated wine region of the world – the Tokaj wine region

The optimal climatic conditions of the region were proved in 1867, when a leaf-print of Vitis tokaiensis was found in a stone from miocen age (13 million years ago).