Terroir 2010 banner

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.

Download the PDF

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…

Comparing the effects of vision, smell and taste in red wine quality judgments by experts: sensory cues, mental imagery and verbal representations as drivers of consensus in the multisensory space

In this study, we evaluated the contributions of vision, smell and taste to red wine quality judgments by expert wine tasters.

Read More

Sensory profiles of Shiraz wine from six Barossa sub-regions: a comparison between industry scale and standardised small lot research wine making

Aims: The Barossa wine region in South Australia comprises six sub-regions and is renowned for its Shiraz wines. However, there is no comprehensive documentation of the distinctive sensory characteristics of wines from these sub-regions.

Read More

Exploring diversity of grapevine responses to Flavescence dorée infection

Flavescence dorée, a serious threat to grapevine cultivation in several European Countries, is caused by phytoplasmas in the 16Sr-V ribosomal group, classified as quarantine organisms in the EU and transmitted mainly by the insect vector Scaphoideus titanus. The disease is controlled only by indirect and preventive measures, with important economic and environmental concerns. Genetic resources from the great variety of Vitis vinifera germplasm together with application of new genomic techniques could be applied to produce resistant/tolerant plants, once the genetic bases of susceptibility are elucidated. In a current Italian project (BIORES*) we are evaluating different international and local grapevine cvs. as well as microvine plants for their response to FD transmission and multiplication in controlled conditions.

Read More

The Hungarian system of geographical indications and the preparation of product specifications

Following the 2008-2009 reform of the European Union’s common market organisation in wine all protected designations of origin and geographical indications were imposed to prepare a product specification that described the conditions of their use. In this paper, we describe this process and the Hungarian system of geographical indications.

Read More

Characterization of vine performance using remote sensing tools

Today, a variety of remote sensing tools are used to characterise plant performance. However, the vine is rarely studied, as a major crop specificity is canopy discontinuity. Registered images of the vineyard are anisotropic, therefore difficult to analyse.

Read More