Observed climatic trends in South African wine regions and potential implications for viticulture

A two-bite compression test was applied on Cabernet franc grapes during two harvest seasons. The evolution of the texture parameters from véraison to harvest was studied and a new mechanical ripeness notion was introduced.

Downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola) is a fungal pathogen that causes a destructive disease in grapevines (Vitis vinifera).

The Maule region hosts up to a third of the total area of vineyards in Chile, in an environment where ancient practices inherited from the colonial past coexist with modernity and dynamism that include technified irrigation and fine vines. In the dry land of Maule there is a viticulture that has subsisted with ancient vines and traditions transmitted over generations, and there is little clarity about the origin and classification of the Maule viticulture, giving rise to the use of different concepts as synonyms to describe the ancient, minority, patrimonial or Criollas vines. In order to characterize and protect the ancient material, we studied the genetic diversity of a territorial collection that covers 80% of the communes of the region, prioritizing plants established more than 40-60 years ago.

“Côtes du Rhône”, like many other controlled appellation wine, represents high stakes in the economical, social cultural and historical domains. The scenery formed by vineyards reveals these cultural values. It offers by a pleasant and appealing environment for the inhabitants and the tourists. It is also a powerful marketing tool for the winemakers.

Flavonoids, including flavonols, anthocyanins, and tannins, are important contributors to grape and wine quality, and their biosynthesis is strongly influenced by bunch microclimate.