Precision agriculture for wine production: A machine learning approach to link weather conditions and wine quality

Abstract

The agricultural sector, in particular viticulture, is highly susceptible to variations in the environment, crop conditions, and operational factors. Effectively managing these variables in the field necessitates observation, measurement, and responsive actions. Leveraging new technologies within the realm of precision agriculture, vineyards can enhance their long-term efficiency, productivity, and profitability. In our work we propose a novel analysis of the impact of pedoclimatic factors on wine, with a case study focusing on the Denomination of Controlled and Guaranteed Origin Chianti Classico (DOCG), a prime wine-producing region located in Tuscany, between the provinces of Siena and Florence. We first collected a novel dataset, where geographic information as well as wine quality information were collected, using publicly available sources. Using such geographic information retrieved and an unsupervised machine learning approach, we conducted an in-depth examination of pedoclimatic and production data. To collect the whole set of possibly relevant features, we first assessed the region's morphological attributes, including altitude, exposure, and slopes, while pinpointing individual wineries. Subsequently we then calculated crucial viticultural indices such as the Winkler, Huglin, Fregoni, and Freshness Index by utilizing daily temperature records from Chianti Classico, and we further related them to an assessment of wine quality. In addition to this, we designed and distributed a survey conducted among a sample of wineries situated in the Chianti Classico area, obtaining valuable insights into local data. The primary goal of this study is to elucidate the interrelationships between various parameters associated with the region, considering influential factors such as the environment, viticulture, and field operations that significantly impact wine production. By doing so, wineries could potentially unlock the full potential of their resources. In fact, through the unsupervised and correlation analysis we could elucidate the relationships existing between the pedoclimatic parameters of the region, considering the most important factors such as viticulture and field operations, and relate them to wine quality as for instance using the survey data collected. This study represents an unprecedent in the literature, and it could pave the path for future studies focusing on the importance of climatic factors into production and quality of wines.