WINETECH Technical Yearbook 2021

VITICULTURE RESEARCH | NOVEMBER 2021

ETIENNE TERBLANCHE 1 , FLOR ETCHEBARNE 2 & HERNÁN OJEDA 2 : 1 Vinpro, Paarl; 2 French National Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment (INRAE) KEYWORDS: Minimal pruning, alternative training systems. Minimal pruning – effects on grape aromatic composition

on reducing grape production costs per hectare (Clingeleffer, 1992). Trials carried out in the Languedoc-Roussillon over the past 15 years on different grape varieties have shown that MP is an interesting agronomic tool for diversifying wine style and quality, significantly reducing the pH and concentration of K + in grape musts, compared to vertical shoot positioning (VSP) systems (Ojeda, et al ., 2007). However, limited information is available regarding the relationship between MP and the aromatic composition of grapes and wines. MATERIAL AND METHODS The trial was conducted over four seasons (2010-2014, excluding 2012) on cv. Viognier B. grafted onto SO4, planted in 1996 at the experimental vineyard INRA UE Pech Rouge in Gruissan, South of

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Exploring training system alternatives in the context of a warming climate and rising labour costs.

PHOTO 1. Difference in canopy structure between minimal pruning (A) and vertical shoot positioning (B) of 15-year-old Viognier B.

INTRODUCTION Annual increases in production costs above inflationary rates in combination with a rise in temperatures due to climate change have necessitated the investigation into alternative viticultural production systems. Resultant earlier harvest dates (shifting to warmer parts of the season), along with increases in pH and decreases in acidity require costly interventions to maintain wine quality. In the Languedoc-Roussillon region of France minimal pruning has proven to be a compelling alternative. Minimal pruning (MP) is a training system developed in Australia, mainly focused

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PHOTO 2. Difference in bunch size and compactness between minimal pruning (A) and vertical shoot positioning (B) of 15-year-old Viognier B.

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