Agroclimatic characterization of Monreale DOC appellation for vine growing

This paper presents the results of an agroclimatic study of the viticulture area called DOC Monreale (Pa), Italy, which was carried out with the aim to supply a working instrument supporting viticulture planning. The global extension of the municipalities belonging to DOC Monreale is about 98,000 ha, where vine-growing is estimated at about 11,500 ha, 177 of which have DOC appellation. These municipalities are Camporeale, Corleone, Monreale, Piana degli Albanesi, Roccamena, Santa Cristina Gela, San Cipirello and San Giuseppe Jato. The vines provided for DOC Monreale are mostly autochthonous varieties such as Catarratto bianco, Grillo, Ansonica, Nero d’Avola, Perricone etc.; some allochthonous varieties are provided as well, such as Pinot blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Syrah etc. The training systems adopted are espalier and gobelet.
The agroclimatic analysis concerned rainfalls, temperatures, vine specific bioclimatic indexes (Winkler, Huglin, Branas and Fregoni), ET0, and hydro-cultural consumptions. The agrometeorological data were provided by the Sicilian Agrometeorological Informative Service (SIAS) having one weather station at Camporeale (37°54’08″N, 13°06’03″W), and by Regional Hydrographical Service (SI) having one weather station at San Giuseppe Jato (37°58’27″N, 13°12’35″W) at 450 m a.s.l..
The study allowed achieving a macro – characterization of DOC Monreale territory, which is functional to any kind of further study for territorial programming, to an adequate selection of cultivars, as well as to the increase of vine growing discipline and the choice of effective agronomic management techniques.