Prospects for enlarging of microzone Manavi in the East Georgia

La mise en valeur d’un terroir au travers du vin signifie dans un premier temps le respect du cahier des charges de l’A.O.C correspondante. Dans un second temps, elle sous-entend d’être à l’écoute des évolutions scientifiques, techniques et sociétales afin de satisfaire une production plus respectueuse de l’environnement et de la santé des hommes. Les recherches effectuées par l’Unité Vigne et Vin du centre INRA d’Angers ont débouché sur le concept d’UTB, Unité Terroir de Base (R.Morlat). UTB définit une aire de terrain ou le fonctionnement de la vigne est homogène en tous points.

Minervois is a vine region where the first detailed soil map was begun 30 years ago. In 2003, a new map was drawn plotting the soil-landscape associations. This map distinguishes 8 large soil units based on geology. The widest (called « marnes ») is the most complex : it is made of 57 sub-units, which leads to a high variability of the vine behaviour on this unit.

Powdery mildew, caused by Erysiphe necator, is a widespread disease that causes high economical losses in viticulture. The main strategy to control the disease is the recurrent application of sulphur based phytochemical compounds. However, in order to reduce their accumulation in the environment and promote the sustainability of the sector, the European Commission has applied restrictions to the number of pesticide treatments and the maximum quantity of fungicides to be applied in viticulture. Seaweeds, in particular macroalgae, are marine resources rich in sulphated polysaccharides with bio-protective potential for the plant, representing an environmentally-friendly alternative approach for sustainable wine production.

In temperate climates, such as in the North of Spain, the use of irrigation in the vineyard has not been required, due to the usual rainfall from June to August. In some large vineyards, irrigation management has been carried out, based on occasional support irrigation, or for the application of nutrients (fertigation). Currently it is necessary to implement decision support models to manage irrigation water in real time and avoid misuse of a scarce resource. Moreover, quality standards must be achieved, as in the previous rainfed viticulture.

Nowadays there are many challenges facing both winegrowers and workers, in other agricultural practices, related to the growing demand for food products, the safety and quality of these products, and the preservation of the environment…