Phenological behaviour of the autochthonous godello and mencía grapevine varieties in two designation origin areas of the NW Spain

Abstract

The phenological behaviour of the autochthonous Godello and Mencía grape varieties in two Denominación de Origen wine regions (DO Ribeiro and Ribeira Sacra) of northwest Spain, each with different bioclimatic characteristics, was assessed. Godello is grown in both regions, while the Mencía variety is mostly cultivated in the Ribeira Sacra DO. The study traced the vegetative grapevine cycle during 2016, 2017 and 2018, using the scale proposed by the BBCH (Biologische Bundesanstalt für Land und Forstwirtschaft, Bundessortenamt und CHemische Industrie). The duration of the Godello vegetative cycle was longer in Ribeiro (an average of 188 days over the three years) than in Ribeira Sacra (176 days). The Mencía variety exhibited minor differences comparing the two vineyards analysed in Ribeira Sacra (177 days on average in Doade vs. 175 days in Souto Chao). Study of the thermal requirements from phase 03 (end of bud swelling) to phase 89 (berries ripe for harvest) enables an explanation to be given for the differences in the duration of each phenological phase for both varieties, and a decision to be made as to which is the most suitable variety for each zone, something that will have an impact on production improvement.