Terroir 2008 banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 Vineyard soil mapping to optimise wine quality: from ‘terroir’ characterisation to vineyard management

Vineyard soil mapping to optimise wine quality: from ‘terroir’ characterisation to vineyard management

Abstract

In this study, a soil mapping methodology at subplot level (scale 1:5000) for vineyard soils was developed. The aim of this mapping method was to establish mapping units, which could be used as basic units for ‘terroir’ characterisation and vineyard management (precision viticulture). The developed methodology applied most of the criteria of the Soil Inventory of Catalonia and the Soil Survey Manual of the Department of Agriculture of United States, at very-detailed scale. The suitability of soil maps as a tool for definition of ‘terroir’ units and management units are discussed, according to our experiences. The method followed allowed good soil type discrimination at vineyard subplot level, differentiating zones with distinct soil properties important to vineyard development. However, the variability within the soil mapping unit could not be ascertained by this method. Significant differences in grape quality were found between distinct soil mapping units. Moreover, the application of variable rates of fertilizer at vine subplot level was possible using thematic maps calculated from soil maps, by means of Geographic Information Systems. 

DOI:

Publication date: December 8, 2021

Issue: Terroir 2008

Type: Article

Authors

Josep Miquel UBALDE (1), Xavier SORT (1), Rosa Maria POCH (2) and Miquel PORTA (1)

(1) Dept. of Viticulture, Miguel Torres Winery, Miquel Torres i Carbó 6, 08720 Vilafranca del Penedès, Spain
(2) Dept. of Environment and Soil Science, University of Lleida, Rovira Roure 191, 25198 Lleida, Spain 

Contact the author

Keywords

soil mapping, viticultural zoning, terroir unit, management unit, precision viticulture

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Terroir 2008

Citation

Related articles…

A sundial vineyard: impact of row density and orientation on cv. Cabernet-Sauvignon physiology and grape composition, insights to face a climate change scenario

An experimental vineyard with a radial array was planted in 2018, to provide valuable information on the relationship between orientation and planting density on plant physiology and cluster microclimate, and the consequent impacts on grape secondary metabolites, including aromas and polyphenols.

Macrowine 2021: available on IVES Conference Series

We were a partner of the 2021 Macrowine international congress. This event was held virtually last June. On IVES Conference Series portal, more than 280 abstracts written by wine scientists are available. They are available in Open Access and are divided into 6...

Reduced bunch compactness in a clone of Tempranillo associates with a complex reciprocal translocation detected by long-read sequencing genomics

Grapevine cultivars are vegetatively propagated to maintain their varietal attributes. However, spontaneous somatic variation emerges during prolonged periods of vegetative growth, providing an opportunity for the natural improvement of traditional grapevine cultivars. Notably, reduction in bunch compactness is a favorable trait in viticulture, offering advantages such as decreased susceptibility to bunch fungal diseases, and a more uniform ripening of berries. To unravel the genetic and developmental mechanisms behind bunch compactness variation, we examined a somatic variant of Tempranillo Tinto cultivar with loose bunches. We found that the mutant clone exhibits a ~50% reduction in pollen viability compared to typical Tempranillo clones.

From grapes to sparking wines: Aromas evaluation in a vine-spacing

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). 

Climatic zoning of the Ibero-American viticultural regions

The Ibero-American Network of Viticulture, a component of the program of agricultural technology of the CYTED (Ibero-American Program of Science and Technology for Development), is developing the project “Zoning Methodology and Application in Viticultural Regions of Ibero-America”.