Terroir 2006 banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 International Terroir Conferences 9 Terroir 2006 9 Influence of vine water status (Terroir 2006) 9 The use of viticultural and oenological performance of grapevines to identify terroirs: the example of Sauvignon blanc in Stellenbosch

The use of viticultural and oenological performance of grapevines to identify terroirs: the example of Sauvignon blanc in Stellenbosch

Abstract

Identification and characterisation of terroirs depends on knowledge of environmental parameters, functioning of the grapevine and characteristics of the final product. A network of plots of Sauvignon blanc was delimited in commercial vineyards in proximity to weather stations at 20 localities and their viticultural and oenological response was monitored for a period of seven years. These experimental plots were further characterised with respect to climate, soil and topography. In order for this information to be of use within terroir zoning studies it had to be placed in a spatial context. This was achieved with the use of regression tree methodology, which determined the relative importance of the environmental and management related variables and regression trees for each dependent variable. A knowledge-driven model used the rules generated in the regression tree analyses to directly classify natural terroir units with respect to expected response of Sauvignon blanc in the Stellenbosch Wine of Origin District. The expected response of these terroir units was compared to data obtained from a separate network of Sauvignon blanc plots monitored during the 2005 harvest season.

DOI:

Publication date: January 12, 2022

Issue: Terroir 2006

Type: Article

Authors

Victoria A. CAREY (1), Eben ARCHER (1), Gérard BARBEAU (3) and Dawid SAAYMAN (3)

(1) Department of Viticulture and Oenology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, 7602 Matieland, South Africa
(2) Unité Vigne et Vin, Centre INRA d’Angers, 42 rue G. Morel, BP 57, 49071 Beaucouzé, France
(3) Distell, P.O. Box 184, 7599 Stellenbosch

Contact the author

Keywords

Sauvignon blanc, terroir, climate, soil, GIS

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Terroir 2006

Citation

Related articles…

Methyl jasmonate versus nano methyl jasmonate: effects on anthocyanins mature evolution in monastrell grapes

The climate change is afecting particulary to the South of Spain, with high temperatures. It is important to develop new strategies in order to mantain the quality of wines

Geopedological and climatic zoning of northern Malaga vineyards region: Fuente de Piedra, Humilladero and Mollina (southern Spain)

The vineyards placed in the municipal areas of Fuente de Piedra, Humilladero and Mollina constitute a wine-growing important area of the “Zona Norte” of the province of Málaga.

Assessing the potential of fermentative skin contact in white winemaking on phenolic, colour, and sensory traits

Fermentative maceration in white wine production, involving extended contact with grape skins and seeds, has gained interest in recent years. The impact of this winemaking technique on wine composition and sensory properties remains underexplored.

Can yeast cells sense other yeasts beyond competition interactions?

The utilization of non-Saccharomyces yeasts in the wine industry has increased significantly in recent years. Alternative species need commonly be employed in combination with Saccharomyces cerevisiae to avoid stuck fermentation, or microbial spoilage. The employment of more than one yeast starter can lead to interactions between different species with an impact on the outcome of wine fermentation. Previous studies[1] demonstrated that S. cerevisiae elicits transcriptional responses with both shared and species-specific features in co-culture with other yeast species.

Relevance of an immunoassay test for rapid detection of Botrytis cinerea in ‘Ugni blanc’ musts and wines

A new immunoassay kit, called Botrytis Lateral Flow Device has been tested to detect Botrytis cinerea on musts and wines. The comparison of the immunoassay result with the quantitative analysis of usual markers (gluconic acid, sugars and polyols) showed the relevance of this innovative tool.