Mesoclimate and Topography influence on grape composition and yield in the AOC Priorat

La présente étude de zonage viticole a été faite dans la région de la vallée Central de Tarija(VCT), dans la ville de Tarija, au Sud de la Bolivie; une région avec plus de 400 années de tradition qui présente une vitiviniculture de haute qualité. La Vallée possède une surface total de 332 milles ha.; existant des vignobles entre 1660 y 2300 m.s.n.m. et dans ce rang d’altitude il existe 91 mille ha.

The Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica Newman, is considered one of the most harmful organisms due to its ability to feed on more than 300 plant species. Symptoms indicative of adult beetles include feeding holes in host plants extending to skeletonization of leaves when population numbers are high. The vine is one of the species most affected by this beetle. However, the damaged plants, even if with difficulty, manage to recover, bringing the bunches of grapes to ripeness.

This work is a first step to make a map of vineyard soils. The characterization of the soils of the Protected Designation of Origin (D.P.O.) Valdepeñas will allow to group the studied profiles according to their physico-chemical characteristics and the concentrations of most relevant chemical elements. 90 soil profiles were analysed throughout the territory and the soils were sampled and described according to FAO (2006) and classified according to and Soil Taxonomy (2014). All samples were air dried, sieved and some physico-chemical parameters were determined following standard protocols. Also, major and trace elements were analysed by X-ray fluorescence. The statistically study was made using the SPSS program. Trend maps were made using the ArcGIS program. The studied soils have the following average properties: pH, 8.3; electrical conductivity, 0,20 dS/m (low); clay, 18.8% (medium) and CaCO3, 17.1% (high). In the study for the major elements. The major elements of these soils are Si, followed by Ca and Al, with an average content of 203.7 g/kg, 105.5 g/kg and 74.0 g/kg respectively. On the other hand, 27 trace elements have been studied. Of all of them, it can be highlighted the average values of Ba (361.8 mg/kg), Sr (129.3 mg/kg), Rb (83.4 mg/kg), V (74.2 mg/kg) and Ce (70.6 mg/kg). Ba, V and Ce values are higher and the values of Sr and Rb are lower to those found in the literature. The discriminant analysis shows a percentage of grouping of 91%. The content of chemical elements together with the physico-chemical characteristics allows grouping the soils in 4 group according to their order in the classification to Soil Taxonomy; due to the importance of the Calcisols in Castilla-La Mancha, it has been decided to establish them as their own group even if they do not appear in Soil Taxonomy classification.

The State Rio Grande do Sul is the main producer of Brazilian fine wines, with four viticultural regions. The objective is the characterization of the viticultural climatic potential of the State (total surface of 281.749 km2). The methodology use the Géoviticulture Multicriteria Climatic Classification System (Géoviticulture MCC System), based on three climatic indices – Dryness Index (DI), Heliotermal Index (HI) and Cool Night Index (CI).

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are responsible for the flavor and aroma of a wine. The sensory qualities of the wines depend not only on grape intrinsic characteristics, but also on extrinsic factors including the soil composition. Previous studies have shown that the application of pyrogenic carbon (biochar) can lead to a change in soil parameters. For that reason, one of the goals of the ERDF funded project «WoodUp» is the characterization and reutilization of the locally produced biochar for agricultural purposes.