Multicriteria Climatic Classification System Research Articles

Using historical weather data and a novel season temperature index to classify winegrape growing zones in Australia

• Australian wine regions can be classified into different climatic categories; • Drier growing seasons were observed for many wine regions from 1911 to 2017; • Warmer growing season/night-time temperature were observed for most wine regions; • The climatic changes in different wine regions differed over historical time periods; • Many wine regions became less suitable to grow temperate grape varieties. Viticultural production and wine quality are profoundly affected by climate. Characterising winegrape-growing regions based on climatic variables provides scientific guidance for the wine industry in vineyard site and winegrape cultivar selection. This research used a modified multicriteria climatic classification system based on three representative indices, Huglin index, cool night index and growing season relative soil moisture to classify 63 southeastern Australian winegrape-growing regions into different climatic categories, within different historical time periods from 1911 to 2017. The pattern of changes in climatic classification over these time-periods were identified for each region and illustrated in the principal component analysis (PCA) plot. A second classification system based on growing season average temperature index was further used to identify the temperature variations among regions. Based on this, a novel grapevine suitability index was generated to indicate the suitability of growing key commercial winegrape varieties in a specific winegrape-growing region. Clear changes in regional climate across the three historical time periods were observed in majority of the studied regions with clear differences between regions. Warmer growing season, warmer night-time temperature and drier growing season were the most frequently observed trends. GST analysis showed that median temperature increased for majority of winegrape-growing regions with more extreme hot climatic conditions appearing in recent years. Some winegrape-growing regions have become less suitable for temperate winegrape varieties and may need to move to more heat tolerant varieties, while some cold regions became more suitable for winegrape production. Climatic variations were observed among non-official geographic indications (GIs), which provided the scientific basis for the possible separation of these regions. This study will assist the wine industry to better understand the climatic variations between viticulture regions, and provide guidance for the selection of the most suitable winegrape varieties within each region and the selection of regions to grow particular varieties.

Climate change in a typical Apulian region for table grape production: spatialisation of bioclimatic indices, classification and Future Scenarios

The present research focused on the characterisation of climate evolution in a typical Apulian region for table grape production under the protected geographical indication, “Uva di Puglia I.G.P.”Two thirty-year time window period (TW) were analysed: 1961-1990 and 1991-2020. Georeferenced maps for both TWs were produced to delimit homogeneous zones and to evaluate the climate variability within the investigated area by means of the two bioclimatic indices, Heliothermal Index (HI) and Winkler Index (WI). Spatial analysis of HI and WI was performed using the regression-kriging (RK) interpolation method and the Digital Elevation Model/DEM (10 x 10 m) as a prediction attribute.An increase in both the minimum and maximum temperatures was observed, and locations above 300 m a.s.l. shifted from HI+1 “temperate warm” to HI+2 “warm” according to the Geoviticulture Multicriteria Climatic Classification System. WI values similarly increased between the periods 1961–1990 and 1991–2020, shifting all the sites grouped in the Elevation Classes defined as being below 300 m a.s.l. from Region IV to Region V of the Winkler Classification.According to HI and WI, presumed maturity was calculated as being reached 9 to 15 (HI) and 12 to 28 days (WI) earlier in 1991–2020 than in 1961–1990, taking into account the heat requirements of cv. Italia table grape (representative of Apulian table grape production), were set at 2200 for both indices on the basis of literature data.Moreover, three table grape vineyards, located in the three main producing provinces of Apulia (Bari, Taranto and Barletta-Andria-Trani (BAT)), were considered for future scenarios analysis on the basis of two different Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs), 4.5 and 8.5, and classified according to the Geoviticulture Multicriteria Climatic Classification System (MCC). Future scenarios scored WI values that exceeded the threshold of 2700 in the BAT and TA provinces in the 2061–2090 time window period for RCP 8.5. In contrast, RCP 4.5 led to a mitigating effect, which was not noticeable until 2040, with a consequent reclassification of the investigated areas on the basis of HI and Cool Night Index (CI).These findings suggest that in order to prevent or overcome heat stress, it will be necessary to implement strategies, such as vineyard relocation to unexplored elevations or latitudes and/or the exploitation of new table grape varieties able to fulfill the optimal maturity parameters, even when the duration of the phenological phases is shorter.

Evaluating environmental factors, geographic scale and methods for viticultural zoning in the high-altitude region of Santa Catarina, Brazil

Viticultural zoning involves dividing territories into zones such that the influence of environmental factors on grapevine is homogeneous. Accomplishing this depends on the prevailing environmental factors, including climate, physiography and soil and their influence in distinct spatial scale, i.e., from macro to meso and microscale. Previous research has highlighted the environmental potential for producing quality wines in the high-altitude region of Santa Catarina State, Brazil. However, to further determine if this region is a unique and homogeneous zone for viticulture, two viticulture zoning approaches were adopted to characterize the spatial distribution of environmental factors, to identify the main factors representing environmental heterogeneity at both macro and mesoscale and to identify homogeneous sub-zones. The adoption of the Multicriteria Climatic Classification System (MCCS) and the Multivariate Clustering Approach (MCA) allowed a comparison using both zoning methods. The zoning outcomes from both methods indicated that the high-altitude region is environmentally heterogeneous. The high-altitude region is climatically differentiated by temperature and rainfall variation and topographically differentiated by altitude (ALT) variation and topographic position index (TPI) diversity. MCA allowed for the integration of climatic and topographic factors. The use of climatic parameters resulted in the best zoning at macroscale, while the topographic parameters were indicated for mesoscale zoning. MCCS helped to identify five climatic sub-zones. According to Heliothermal Index (HI), the high-altitude zone can vary from temperate warm (>2100 ≤ 2400) to very warm (>3000). The Cool Night Index (CI) varied from very cool nights (≤12) to temperate nights (>14 ≤ 18). The Dryness Index (DI) indicates that the high-altitude is a humid region (>150). This study demonstrated that the MCCS is indicated for viticultural zoning at macroscale, once it considers only climatic parameters. The MCA is more flexible because permits the use of other environmental parameters and helps to quantify the influence of each parameter in the environmental heterogeneity. We also concluded that the high-altitude region is not homogeneous, so it should not be considered as a unique wine-growing region.

Agroclimatic zoning for winemaking grape production in the State of Parana

Paraná is the fourth largest grape producing state in Brazil and the cultivation of Vitis vinifera L. cultivars for winemaking is expanding is several regions of the state. The objective of this work was to characterize the potential of wine grape production based on the Géoviticulture Multicriteria Climatic Classification System for Paraná. A 30-year database constituted of 21 IAPAR (Agronomic Institute of Paraná) meteorological stations and 455 rainfall stations from Instituto das Águas do Paraná (Paraná State Water Institute) generated the following climatic indexes: dryness index (DI), heliothermal index (HI) and cool night index (CI) for the periods of October to March and April to September. According to the results, the viticultural climate of some regions in the state of Paraná belongs to the climatic groups where are found several traditional wine-producing regions in the world, showing potential for the expansion of winemaking in the state. Viticultural climate, associated with latitude in Paraná and with thermal conditions for vine growing cycle all over the year, make production displacement possible in the West, North and Northeastern regions and the production of the best quality grapes for winemaking in the fall and winter period, due to the most favorable cold night index and the lowest rainfall volume. In the coldest regions of the state (Center, South and East), it is only possible to have one production cycle, since the risk of frosts prevents the exploration of grapes in different periods.

Climatic potential for summer and winter wine production.

The geoviticultural multicriteria climatic classification (MCC) system provides an efficient guide for assessing the influence of climate on wine varieties. Paraná is one of the three states in southern Brazil that has great potential for the expansion of wine production, mainly due to the conditions that favour two harvests a year. The objective was to apply the geoviticultural MCC system in two production seasons. We used maximum, mean and minimum air temperature and precipitation for 1990-2015 for the state of Paraná. Air temperature and Precipitation were used to calculate the evapotranspiration and water balance. We applied the MCC system to identify potential areas for grapevine production for harvests in both summer and winter and then determined the climatic zones for each geoviticultural climate. Paraná has viticultural climates with conditions favourable for grapevine cultivation for the production of fine wines from summer and winter harvests. The conditions for the winter harvest provided wines with good coloration and high aromatic potential relative to the summer harvest. Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Blanc and Müller-Thurgau were suitable for regions with lower air temperatures and water deficits. Pinot Blanc and Müller-Thurgau were typical for the southern region of Paraná. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Climate change projections for Greek viticulture as simulated by a regional climate model

Viticulture represents an important economic activity for Greek agriculture. Winegrapes are cultivated in many areas covering the whole Greek territory, due to the favorable soil and climatic conditions. Given the dependence of viticulture on climate, the vitivinicultural sector is expected to be affected by possible climatic changes. The present study is set out to investigate the impacts of climatic change in Greek viticulture, using nine bioclimatic indices for the period 1981–2100. For this purpose, reanalysis data from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) and data from the regional climatic model Regional Climate Model Version 3 (RegCM3) are used. It was found that the examined regional climate model estimates satisfactorily these bioclimatic indices. The results of the study show that the increasing trend of temperature and drought will affect all wine-producing regions in Greece. In vineyards in mountainous regions, the impact is positive, while in islands and coastal regions, it is negative. Overall, it should be highlighted that for the first time that Greece is classified into common climatic characteristic categories, according to the international Geoviticulture Multicriteria Climatic Classification System (MCC system). According to the proposed classification, Greek viticulture regions are estimated to have similar climatic characteristics with the warmer wine-producing regions of the world up to the end of twenty-first century. Wine growers and winemakers should take the findings of the study under consideration in order to take measures for Greek wine sector adaptation and the continuation of high-quality wine production.

Estimating MCC System Dryness Index using the Vineyard Water Indicator

The Dryness Index (DI) is one of the three Geoviticulture Multicriteria Climatic Classification System (MCC System) indices and its calculation is based on a soil water balance approach. However, other climatic indices can be used for the same purpose. One of them is the Vineyard Water Indicator (VWI) that represents the ratio between the total rainfall and the vineyard water requirement during the productive period of the culture. When compared to DI, the VWI presents a simpler calculation methodology. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to establish a model to estimate DI based on VWI values. Climate data of 80 winegrowing regions in 18 countries were used. Four regression models were evaluated: linear, quadratic, logarithmic and the Mitscherlich model. Real and simulated data were compared using the confidence coefficient (c) that corresponds to the product of the correlation coefficient (r) by the exactness coefficient (d). The best fit was obtained employing the quadratic model and DI can be calculated using the following equation: DI = −363.84 VWI 2 + 834.47 VWI – 257.17 (R 2 = 0.93), for VHI <0.905. For VHI values equal to or greater than 0.905, DI is constant and equal to 200.

An integrated methodology of viticultural zoning to evaluate terrains suitable for viticulture: the test area of Cesanese DOC (Latium, central Italy)

The increase in the world wine market has required continued improvements in viticultural zoning in both old and young production regions. The many proposed zoning methods vary according to the study area in which they are applied as well as to the perspective of the authors. Thus, there is little agreement on which factors (climate, landscape, geology, soil and human intervention) should be taken into account. The aim of this work is to provide a methodology to optimize and possibly increase the development of wine production regions, identifying the zones with different potential suitability. We coupled the computation of bioclimatic indices based on Géoviticulture Multicriteria Climatic Classification System with a GIS (geographic information system) analysis based on the integration of easily accessible geological, morphometric and geomorphological data, in addition to viticulture land use. The final result of this methodology is a suitability map distinguishing sectors of different suitability for wine production in a vine cropping area. We tested the methodology on the Cesanese DOC (Denomination of Origin Verified) zone (Latium, central Italy). The resulting suitability map indicates that the areas more favourable for viticulture are only partially exploited, encouraging the possibility of increasing the production of high-quality wine in the Cesanese DOC area. This result underlines the applicability of our methodology in land-use planning and management.

Determinação da evapotranspiração por diferentes métodos e sua aplicação no índice de seca na Campanha Gaúcha, Brasil

O desempenho dos métodos para estimar a evapotranspiração de referência (ETo) varia em função das condições climáticas locais. Por isso, este trabalho tem como objetivos: a) avaliar o desempenho dos métodos indiretos de cálculo da ETo, na escala diária e mensal, para o período de outubro a março; b) avaliar os métodos para uso em estudos de zoneamento vitícola no cálculo do Índice de Seca (IS); ambos tendo como método-padrão Penman-Monteith-FAO. Foram utilizados dados meteorológicos diários dos meses de outubro a março, de 1961 a 2010, dos postos meteorológicos da rede da FEPAGRO e do INMET, localizados na região da Campanha-RS. A ETo foi calculada pelos métodos de Thornthwaite, Camargo, Makkink, Radiação Solar, Jensen-Haise, Linacre, Hargreaves-Samani, Blaney-Criddle e Penman-Monteith, com posterior aplicação ao IS, comparando aos resultados obtidos no método-padrão. Verifica-se que, na ETo na escala diária, ocorrem diferenças quanto ao desempenho entre os métodos, variando a classificação de "sofrível" a "muito bom". Na escala mensal, os métodos têm o melhor desempenho, apresentam classificação como "bom", para os métodos de Radiação Solar, Makkink, Camargo e Blaney-Criddle. Para o IS, no mês de março, verificou-se que os métodos de Thornthwaite e Camargo apresentam desempenho "ótimo", sendo, portanto, metodologias recomendadas para a estimativa da ETo no Sistema de Classificação Climática Multicritério (CCM), para a Campanha-RS.

Sistema geovitícola para a produção de uvas para vinho na região do Circuito das Frutas-SP

Nos últimos anos, tem-se observado aumento na produção de uvas destinadas à elaboração de vinhos na região do Circuito das Frutas, Estado de São Paulo, promovido principalmente pelo turismo rural. O objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar o potencial climático dessa região para produção de uvas para vinho, utilizando o Sistema de Classificação Climática Multicritérios Geovitícola, baseado nos índices biometeorológicos: heliotérmico, de frio noturno e de seca, considerando as safras de verão e de inverno. Para a safra de verão, foram identificadas áreas com clima quente, úmidas e com noites quentes, situadas na região oeste do Circuito das Frutas; na região centro-leste, as noites foram caracterizadas como temperadas e, nas áreas de altitudes mais elevadas, o clima encontrado foi o temperado quente, sem período seco e com noites temperadas. Para a safra de inverno, os valores de umidade mantiveram-se elevados, com as classes climáticas variando entre quente, temperado quente e temperado, com noites muito frias. O Circuito das Frutas apresentou características que podem favorecer a obtenção de uvas para vinhos brancos e espumantes.

Wine grape quality of grapevines grown in the cerrado ecoregion of Brazil

&lt;p style="text-align: justify;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Aims&lt;/strong&gt;: Geographical indication plays an important role in the improvement of wine quality. In this context, the search for new grape growing areas has been constant. The São Francisco River Valley in the cerrado of Minas Gerais State (Brazil) has been pointed out in the Geoviticulture Multicriteria Climatic Classification System (MCC System) as a potentially winegrowing region, especially considering the autumn-winter period when night temperatures are favorable to grape ripening. In this work, we studied the maturation curves and fruit composition of four wine grape varieties (Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet-Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc) in two growing seasons in order to validate the state of Minas Gerais as a new winegrowing region in Brazil.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style="text-align: justify;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods and results&lt;/strong&gt;: Quality parameters (berry weight, pH, titratable acidity and total soluble solids) were measured weekly from véraison to harvest, and sugar, organic acid, anthocyanin and phenolic concentrations were determined in must and berry skins and seeds at harvest. Syrah berries showed the highest weight throughout maturation which contributed to higher yield (8.92 ton ha&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt;), followed closely by Merlot (8.07 ton ha&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt;). Berry sugar concentrations were higher and malic acid levels were lower than the values usually observed in wine grapes harvested during summer in traditional winegrowing regions in Brazil. Cabernet Franc showed lower levels of anthocyanins and skin phenolics per kg berries and the highest values of seed phenolics, which were not affected by growing season.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style="text-align: justify;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusion&lt;/strong&gt;: Weather conditions of the cerrado of Minas Gerais State in Brazil during winter allowed complete maturation of Cabernet-Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Syrah cultivars as revealed by the satisfactory sugar, anthocyanin and skin phenolic accumulation.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style="text-align: justify;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Significance and impact of the study&lt;/strong&gt;: This study revealed the potential of the cerrado ecoregion in the northeast of Minas Gerais to become a new winemaking region in Brazil.&lt;/p&gt;

Potencial climático para a produção de uvas em Campos dos Goytacazes, região norte Fluminense

O Sistema de Classificação Climática Multicritérios (Sistema Geovitícola CCM) baseado em três índices climáticos:o Índice de Seca (IS), que corresponde a um indicador do nível de seca; o Índice Heliotérmico (HI), que corresponde ao índice heliotérmico de Huglin, e o Índice de Frio Noturno (IF), que atua como um indicador das condições de temperatura noturna durante a maturação das bagas, possibilitaram a descrição do potencial climático de vinhedos no mundo todo. Neste trabalho, foi caracterizado o clima vitícola em períodos de crescimento e produção durante o ano com duração de quatro meses cada, na região norte fluminense, representada pelo município de Campos dos Goytacazes (21º 45'S, 41º 19'W, 13 m). o sistema indicou potencial para o cultivo da videira na região durante o ano, por meio de diferenças encontradas nos índices IS, IH e IF. Os períodos quadrimestrais de janeiro/abril, fevereiro/maio, março/ junho, abril/julho, maio/agosto, junho/setembro, julho/outubro e agosto/novembro foram considerados os mais adequados para o cultivo da videira, mostrado pelos índices: IS+1 indicando classe de Seca Moderada, IH-2 a IH-1, para classes Frias a Temperadas, exceto para janeiro/abril, com IH+1, para classe Temperada quente, e IF-2 a IF-1 para classes de Noites quentes a Temperadas. Em adição ao potencial climático mostrado, que permite adequado crescimento das plantas, as condições desses períodos também são satisfatórias pela diminuição da necessidade de pulverizações de defensivos e coincidindo com baixa oferta de uvas no mercado e preços mais elevados, o que torna a região apropriada para mais de um ciclo por ano. Neste trabalho, o sistema permitiu a distinção de períodos de cultivo da uva ao longo do ano, funcionando como uma ferramenta apropriada para o zoneamento vitícola.

Delimitación y descripción de regiones vitícolas del Uruguay en base al método de clasificación climática multicriterio utilizando índices bioclimáticos adaptados a las condiciones del cultivo

Las correlaciones entre los factores: clima, rendimiento, composición de la baya y crecimiento vegetativo individualizan la vocación vitícola de una zona. Los índices bioclimáticos diferencian, describen y delimitan estas zonas. Para calcular los índices: Sequía, Heliotérmico y Frescor nocturno, se procesó la información (1961 – 1990) de 23 estaciones meteorológicas, distribuidas en todo el país. Se aplicó el método de Clasificación Climática Multicriterio y análisis multidimensional: Componentes Principales y Cluster, cartografiados con el programa “SPRING”. Los resultados muestran la diversidad climática del Uruguay. Se identificaron y caracterizaron seis tipos climáticos y delimitaron seis regiones. La mayor superficie vitícola está influenciada por masas de agua, e implantada según la clasificación, en dos tipos de clima: a) sequía moderada, templado y noches templadas, b) sequía moderada, templado cálido, noches cálidas, condiciones favorables a la maduración y expresión de componentes de la calidad. La mayoría del país se encuentra en la clasificación correspondiente a condiciones de sequía moderada, que permitirían condiciones favorables para la maduración por detención temprana del crecimiento vegetativo. Los valores del IH indican que no habría restricciones para implantación de viñedos. El IF ubica gran parte del territorio en valores de temperaturas nocturnas favorables a la síntesis de metabolitos secundarios positivos. El Índice de la Temperatura del mes más cálido diferencia y delimita seis zonas que sigue la tendencia encontrada con CCM, representando una primera aproximación a la zonificación vitícola. Los vinos de las distintas regiones, presentaron diferencias significativas en: contenidos de alcohol, acidez total, pH, extracto seco y ácido tartárico.

Spatial climate variability and viticulture in the Miño River Valley of Spain

Understanding spatial variations in climates that are crucial for crop suitability form the basis of zonation studies in viticulture. This research applies principal components analysis and cluster analysis to 39 climate stations in the Galician region of northwest Spain to examine the applicability for zonation in the region and produce a better understanding of the spatial climate structure in Galicia. Roughly 90 % of the spatial variation in climate types is explained by three main components, which are defined by precipitation, temperature, and frost risk variations across the region. The climate variables or indices most important for the Galician region include the three main indices (Huglin index, Dryness index, and Cool night index) used within the Multicriteria Climatic Classification System (Geoviticulture MCC System). The results provide evidence that the Geoviticulture MCC System, which was developed at the global scale, has tremendous applicability at the mesoscale. The identification of six climate types of the Geoviticulture MCC System, which are used quite extensively for wine growing in the region, depicts the great spatial diversity of viticultural potential found within the relatively small area of Galicia.

Climatic potential for wine grape production in the tropical north region of Minas Gerais State, Brazil

The tropical north region of Minas Gerais State is one of the least developed of Brazil and viticulture could be an alternative to develop its agriculture zone. The objective of this work was to evaluate the climatic potential of that region for wine grape production. The evaluations were carried out applying the Multicriteria Climatic Classification System (Geoviticulture MCC System), that utilizes three reference climatic indexes (Dryness Index - DI, Heliothermal Index - HI and Cool Night Index - CI). Three locations - Pirapora (17º 21'S, 44º56'W, 489m), Montes Claros (16º43'S, 43º52'W, 647m) and Diamantina (18º15'S, 43º36'W, 1297m) - and two potential production cycles along the year - October to March (spring-summer period) and April to September (autumn-winter period) - were evaluated. The results showed that in the spring-summer period (SS period) Pirapora and Montes Claros presented a 'humid, very warm and with warm nights' of viticultural climate, according to MCC System. For the autumn-winter period (AW period), those two regions presented a 'moderately dry, warm and with temperate nights' according to MCC System. Otherwise, the Diamantina SS period presented a 'humid, temperate warm and with temperate nights' viticultural climate. In the AW period, the Diamantina climatic condition values represent a 'subhumid, temperate and with cool nights' viticultural climate. Based on those results it can be concluded that the North Region of Minas Gerais State has a great climatic potential to became a grape-growing region for wine-making, specially in the autumn-winter period.

A multicriteria climatic classification system for grape-growing regions worldwide

This study concerns firstly the methodology to describe the climate of vineyards, on a macroclimate scale of viticultural regions worldwide. Three synthetic and complementary viticultural climatic indices (potential water balance of the soil over the growing cycle, heliothermal conditions over the growing cycle and night temperature during maturation), validated as descriptors, are used: (1) dryness index (DI) which corresponds to the potential water balance of the soil of Riou’s index, here adapted using precise conditions to calculate it, as an indicator of the level of presence-absence of dryness; (2) heliothermal index (HI) which corresponds to Huglin’s heliothermal index; (3) cool night index (CI) an index developed as an indicator of night temperature conditions during maturation. These indices are representative of the variability of the viticultural climate worldwide, related to the requirements of varieties, vintage quality (sugar, colour, aroma), and typeness of the wines. A Multicriteria Climatic Classification System ( Géoviticulture MCC System) for the grape-growing regions worldwide is formulated based on classes for each of the three climate indices, with elements to explain the results. Three formulated concepts provide the system base: viticultural climate, climatic group and viticultural climate with intra-annual variability (for warm regions with more than one harvest a year in natural climate conditions). The application of the Géoviticulture Multicriteria Climatic Classification System is presented for 97 grape-growing regions in 29 countries. The system is a research tool for grape-growing and wine-making zoning. It also enables work at different levels on the scale, on a world-wide scale or larger – the large grape-growing region, the small grape-growing region, as shown by the studies performed. It allows relating the viticultural climate to the elements of grape quality and the typeness of the wines considering the climatic zone.