Vines with low inputs for quality wines: what results and what perspectives for the French vineyard?

Abstract

Tolerance to fungi has been the subject of recent programs in France since the 1970s(A. Bouquet, INRA Montpellier). The objective of these programs, initiated from Muscadinia rotundifolia and based on 5 to 6 backcrosses with different Vitis vinifera varieties, was to approach the profile of V. vinifera to be combined with a strong resistance to powdery and downy mildews from Muscadinia. In support of these realizations, since 2005 several finalized programs led by INRA with the support of the IGP Sud de France and the CIVL (Conseil Interprofessionnel desVins du Languedoc) have selected 20 genotypes. These genotypes have been assessed 5 to 10 years at INRA Pech-Rouge, forseveral criteria: tolerance levels to downy and powdery mildew, susceptibility to secondary diseases and pests, agronomic performances in various management systems, adaptation to the southern climate in relation with the control of acidity, pH and alcohol contents in wines. The aim is to achieve qualitative levels that meetconsumer’s expectations for different types of wines, with a low level of “inputs” both atthe vineyard and cellar levels. This communication summarizes the results obtained on the vine-grape-wine continuum. The next step is to establish in 2018 20 ha per candidate variety, for a definitive registration in 2022. This will allow all Languedoc winegrowers (and elsewhere) to acquire a dataset in pathology, ecophysiology and enology parameters until the bottling and consumption of wines. Already, thanks to a synthesis of various exchanges at European level and an expert approach, it is possible to estimate the typicality and the qualitative potential of these genotypes, which can, for some of them, become great varieties. A first list of resistant varieties with high qualitative potential is provided on the basis of consolidatedinformation. As a matter of fact, their culture and production can truly be considered as ‘organic’.