VITOUR – The European World Heritage Vineyards

The availability of water in the soil and the water status of the vineyard are proving to be determining factors for crop management in the current context of climatic variation

Grapevine (Vitis spp.) is greatly influenced by climatic conditions and its economic value is therefore directly linked to environmental factors. Among these factors, temperature plays a critical role in vine phenology and fruit composition. In such conditions, elucidating the mechanisms employed by the vine to cope with heat waves becomes urgent. For the past few years, our research team has been producing molecular and metabolic data to highlight the molecular players involved in the response of the vine and the fruit to high temperatures [1]. Some of these temperature-sensitive genes are currently undergoing characterization using transgenesis approaches coupled or not with genome editing, taking advantage of the Microvine genotype [2].

At long term, qualitative irrigation seems to be the most systematic, if not the best, cultural practice for dealing with climate change and yield increases without decrease grape quality.

One of the main plant defence mechanisms is the Systemic Acquired Resistance (SAR) mediated by Salicylic Acid (SA). This is a heightened and broad-spectrum immune response initiated by the exposure to pathogens, inducing resistance not only in the infected site, but also throughout the entire plant. It was demonstrated that plant immune system can be regulated by two classes of SA receptors: NONEXPRESSOR OF PR GENES 1 (NPR1) and NPR1-LIKE PROTEIN 3 and 4 (NPR3/NPR4). While NPR1 is required for SA-induction followed by the expression of pathogenesis-related (PR) protein and resistance against pathogens, NPR3/NPR4 serve as transcriptional co-repressors of SA-responsive genes.

To assess the relationship between the reported low-stability of Tannat colour during wine storage and its pigment composition and evolution