Terroir 2008 banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 International Terroir Conferences 9 Terroir 2008 9 Climatic change and terroir 9 Observed climatic trends in South African wine regions and potential implications for viticulture

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

Abstract

Global warming is scientifically and widely accepted (IPCC). Climate change is a reality and its impacts are increasingly felt in South Africa. Using the longest data series from weather stations located in different South African wine regions and districts of South Africa, the Winkler index for viticulture can be calculated and a descriptive statistical analysis (moving averages, decade averages and linear trends) performed. This provides preliminary results with respect to climatic variation in South African vineyards over the past 40 years.
Analysis of the Winkler index showed that some regions reached the upper level of their group while others changed to warmer groups during the study period. Significant climatic trends, similar across the different wine regions of South Africa, were observed. The first signs of warming were visible in the maximum winter temperatures during the late 1960’s and 1970’s. The significant breakpoint occurs in the mid 1980’s with an increasing acceleration since 2000. This is similar to trends found in literature. These trends hold implications for potential changes in cultivar distribution, adaptation of viticultural and oenological practices and may have already contributed to the development of new wine regions in South Africa.

 

DOI:

Publication date: December 8, 2021

Issue: Terroir 2008

Type : Article

Authors

BONNARDOT Valérie (1); CAREY Victoria (2)

(1) Bureau d’Etudes et de Recherches en Climatologie Appliquée à la Viticulture, 3479 Route de Thonon, 74380 Cranves-Sales, France
(2) University of Stellenbosch, Department of Viticulture and Oenology, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa

Contact the author

Keywords

Climatic trends, vineyards, South Africa 

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Terroir 2008

Citation

Related articles…

Development of analytical sampling technique to study the aroma profile of Pinot Noir wine

A novel and efficient Dispersive Liquid-Liquid Microextraction (DLLME) method coupled with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) was developed to determine 33 key aroma compounds (esters, alcohols, aldehydes, terpenes, norisoprenoids, fatty acids and phenols) present in Pinot noir (PN) wine. Four critical parameters including extraction solvent type, disperse solvent type, extraction solvent volume and disperse solvent volume were optimised with the aid of D-optimal design.

Unravelling the microbial community structure and aroma profile of Agiorgitiko wine under different inoculation schemes

Agiorgitiko (Vitis vinifera L. cv.) is the most widely cultivated indigenous red grape variety in Greece, known for the production of Protected Designation of Origin Nemea wines.

Chemical systems behind wine aroma perception: overview, genesis and evolution

This talk presents a revision of our knowledge and understanding of the role played by the different aroma chemicals in the positive aroma attributes of wine. A systematic approach to classifying the different aroma chemicals of wine is presented .

Cartes thématiques: applications au vignoble champenois

Quel est l’intérêt des cartes en viticulture? Celles-ci répondent à plusieurs usages.
Formalisation au sein d’un référentiel codifié et normalisé de la connaissance relative au milieu, aux observations biologiques et aux pratiques culturales.

Effect of intra‐vineyard ripeness variation on the efficiency of commercial enzymes on berry cell wall deconstruction under winemaking conditions

Intra-vineyard variation grape berry ripening occurs within bunches, between bunches on the same vine and between vines. Although it is assumed that such variation also occurs at the grape berry cell wall level, no study to data has investigated in any depth. Here we have used a intra-vineyard panel design to investigate pooled bunches from six vines (per panel) in the context of a winemaking scenario. The dissected vineyard was harvested by separate panels, where each panel was then subjected to a standard winemaking procedure with or without the addition of three different enzyme preparations for maceration.