Articles
GLOBAL CHANGE INFLUENCE ON WINE QUALITY IN PRIORAT AND MONTSANT (NE SPAIN)
Article number
931_3
Pages
39 – 46
Language
English
Abstract
In the last decades, viticulture in the Mediterranean has been improved by agronomic methods based on ecophysiological and genetic knowledge of the cultivated species.
The Mediterranean ecosystem is characterized by a double stress.
Climatic phenomena such as variation of some atmospheric circulation patterns are affecting weather conditions at regional level.
Some models are generating scenarios of climate change that show how this region will be affected by an increase of the duration and the frequency of dry periods.
Consequently, plant growth, yield and quality would be affected.
It is known that global change and the associated climate change, together with an annual increase in the variability of the viticulture sector, due to economical conditions, will increase the vulnerability in this sector.
World-wide, viticulturists have found the optimal grape maturity correlated with the sugar content and have usually been using the ratio sugars/acids as an indication of the ripeness degree for determining when the grapes are ready to be harvested.
Nowadays, to improve the quality of red wines, it is crucial to get information about the concentration and quality of the phenolic compounds of the skins and seeds of berries, since they are affected by drought.
The objective of the present work is firstly to study the relationship between climate and alcohol degree of wines from vineyards placed in an area of the Mediter-ranean basin, through the last 25 years (1984-2008). We also have taken into consideration several changes associated with global change such as soil use, cultivars, etc.
Results show only partial relationship between climate conditions and alcohol degree of red wines.
These results can help to understand the potential changes in wine associated to climate change in the future and consequently to develop adaptive agronomical practices.
The Mediterranean ecosystem is characterized by a double stress.
Climatic phenomena such as variation of some atmospheric circulation patterns are affecting weather conditions at regional level.
Some models are generating scenarios of climate change that show how this region will be affected by an increase of the duration and the frequency of dry periods.
Consequently, plant growth, yield and quality would be affected.
It is known that global change and the associated climate change, together with an annual increase in the variability of the viticulture sector, due to economical conditions, will increase the vulnerability in this sector.
World-wide, viticulturists have found the optimal grape maturity correlated with the sugar content and have usually been using the ratio sugars/acids as an indication of the ripeness degree for determining when the grapes are ready to be harvested.
Nowadays, to improve the quality of red wines, it is crucial to get information about the concentration and quality of the phenolic compounds of the skins and seeds of berries, since they are affected by drought.
The objective of the present work is firstly to study the relationship between climate and alcohol degree of wines from vineyards placed in an area of the Mediter-ranean basin, through the last 25 years (1984-2008). We also have taken into consideration several changes associated with global change such as soil use, cultivars, etc.
Results show only partial relationship between climate conditions and alcohol degree of red wines.
These results can help to understand the potential changes in wine associated to climate change in the future and consequently to develop adaptive agronomical practices.
Authors
F. de Herralde , R. Savé, M. Nadal, E. Pla, J.A. Lopez-Bustins
Keywords
grapevine, Vitis vinifera, climate, vulnerability, production
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