Influence of edapho-climatic factors on grape quality in Conca de Barberà vineyards (Catalonia, Spain)

In recent years, sustainability has become a key focus in agriculture, including viticulture.

The use of barrels is a practice that improves the quality of wines. The porous structure of wood favors the accumulation of microorganisms that can deteriorate the quality of wines so that barrel cleaning and sanitizing treatments are essential. The burning of sulphur discs has been the most common practice in winemaking because ots biocide effect. Nevertheless, its effectiveness is still insufficient and it is harmful for human health.

During recent years, carbonic maceration (CM) wines are increasingly demanded by consumers. The Spanish Rioja Qualified Designation of Origin (D.O.Ca. Rioja) is a winemaking area

The characterization of « the soil effect » in vine growing is often limited to the description of the physical components of the terroir. Many works were done in this direction and corresponded to geological, pedological or agronomical approaches. However, if the physical environment influences the vine and its grapes, its effect becomes limited at the scale of exploitation. Thus, it could be important to consider how the viticulturist « translated » the potential.

Developing a sustainable agricultural production system and acquiring the full potential of land resources requires employing land-use assessment. This entails knowledge of the climate, soil, and topography of the area of interest.