Assessment of environmental sustainability of wine growing activity in France

The vineyard has experienced a general increase in yields mainly due to the elevated use of technology which caused a quality loss of grapes in more than one case. A large percentage of the Spanish vineyard is covered by a Denomination of Origin which limits the productive level of the vineyards as one of its regulations. The maximum production limit is a variable characteristic of each vineyard and is not usually regulated by agronomic criteria, and this explains the fact that each vineyard can reach high quality with a totally different yield from that set by the Denomination of Origin.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) constitute a diverse group of secondary metabolites key for the communication of plants with other organisms and for their adaptation to environmental and biotic stresses. The emission of these compounds through leaves is also affected by the interaction of plants with symbiotic microorganisms, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) among them [1]. Our objective was to know the concentration and profile of VOCs emitted by the leaves of two grapevine varieties (Tempranillo, T, and Cabernet Sauvignon, CS, grafted onto R110 rootstocks), inoculated or not with a consortium of five AMF (Rhizophagus irregularis, Funneliformis mosseae, Septoglomus deserticola, Claroideoglomus claroideum and C. etunicatum).

Aim: Wine aromatic profile is a combination of viticulture and oenological practices and it is related to character, quality, and consumer acceptance. Based on the competition between soil capacity and canopy development, and on the potential to produce sparkling wines at Caldas, in the south region of Minas Gerais (Brazil) (21°55´S and 46°23´W, altitude 1.100m), the aim of this work was the evaluation of the development of aromas (secondary metabolites) from grapes to sparkling wines in a vine-spacing experiment and whether the distance between the vines can influence the aromatic profile of the sparkling wines (final product). 

In a context of reducing herbicide use, the most part of French vineyards are developing permanent grass cover crops on inter-rows alleys, while under the row chemical weeding remains the general case. The setting up of a controlled grass cover crop under the vine row could be a complementary alternative to mechanical weeding – which one is very restrictive – interesting from a technical and economical point of view. The present study aimed at assessing agronomic impacts of grass cover crop under the row in different climatic conditions and production objectives.

Rhone Valley A.O.C. Vineyards cover more than 70 000 hectares, of wich more than 40 000 plantedwith Grenache N. The Grenache observatory was created in 1995.