Wine Grower Research Articles

Effects of vineyard inter‐row management on soil physical properties and organic carbon in Central European vineyards

AbstractThe intensity and frequency of inter‐row management in vineyards are highly diverse and depend on local environmental conditions and the wine grower's attitude and experience. Reasons for different management include water conservation, weed and pest control, biological activity promotion and soil fertility and biodiversity preservation. We studied different soil cover management in 16 paired vineyards located at eight sites in the Leithaberg and Carnuntum regions of eastern Austria. To this end, we compared inter‐rows with medium intensity (Periodically Mechanically Disturbed) and low intensity (Permanent Green Cover). We investigated the effects of these different management intensities on soil organic carbon, bulk density, saturated and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity, pore size distribution and percolation stability in the upper soil layer from 3 to 8 cm. Soil organic carbon and percolation stability were significantly higher and soil bulk density was significantly lower in vineyards with permanent green cover. No significant differences were observed for saturated hydraulic conductivity, pore size distribution and plant available water. This may be attributed to a minor effect as a result of the time lag of up to 2 years since the last tillage. Regression analysis to predict plant‐available water for local vineyard soils also showed that texture, total organic carbon and bulk density were suitable predictor variables. These results suggest that both investigated inter‐row management systems support a good soil structure for winegrowers. Organic carbon content and parameters interacting with organic carbon may still be improved with permanent vegetation cover systems; however, the positive effects on plant available water are limited.

Exposição ocupacional aos agrotóxicos da classe dos fungicidas em uma população de viticultores

A exposição crônica aos agrotóxicos pode levar ao desenvolvimento de doenças, e a escassez de informações sobre manifestações clínicas na exposição a longo prazo é uma preocupação atual. Este trabalho teve como objetivo analisar o uso crônico de agrotóxicos da classe dos fungicidas por viticultores de um município do Paraná, região sul do Brasil. Foram entrevistados 192 agricultores familiares, que residiam em 66 propriedades, com instrumentos desenvolvidos segundo o protocolo de avaliação das intoxicações crônicas por agrotóxicos da Secretaria de Estado da Saúde do Paraná. Entre os participantes, 45,8% trabalhava há mais de 20 anos na viticultura, utilizando continuamente os fungicidas e apenas 6,8% relatou uso de todos os equipamentos de proteção recomendados para a aplicação dos agrotóxicos. Foram relatados sintomas como irritação cutânea pruriginosa (20,5%) e tremores (12,1%) que podem estar associados a exposição crônica aos fungicidas ditiocarbamatos. A população agricultora familiar carece de assistência à saúde, fato relatado também pela população estudada, evidenciando falhas no serviço de atenção e a necessidade de novas estratégias e tecnologias de acesso a esse grupo.

The Use of Common Knowledge in Fuzzy Logic Approach for Vineyard Site Selection

A multitude of factors considered necessary for an informed choice of the location of the vineyard can be overwhelming for the decision-maker. Is there still a place for knowledge valuable from the perspective of an experienced winegrower in the era of precise measurements? The informative use of so-called common knowledge is possible owing to fuzzy-based techniques, which allow for the representation of intuitive notions in terms of quantitative measures. The work uses tools based on fuzzy logic to cover the scope of common knowledge within the decision-making process. Owing to its flexibility and ability to deal with imprecise input data while maintaining the simple construction, the fuzzy logic solution filled the gap between GIS data and wine grower’s experience. Based on the data from the thematic literature, a set of rules was created to interpret the relationships between popular site selection criteria. The dynamics and manner of interaction between variables were determined using adequate membership functions. Pre-processing using GIS with remote sensing data was considered as a preliminary stage for the analysis. By using the graphical interface, the system operation facilitates the work of a potential user. The obtained results indicated the possibility of an alternative approach to classical analyses by replacing or extending the meaning of some variables using information based on feelings and perceptions. Research constitutes a premise for the further development of expert systems using widely understood domain knowledge.

How can a wine grower articulate the different types of time: the time of the weather, the economic time, and the human time?

How can a wine grower articulate the different types of time: the time of the weather, the economic time, and the human time? A wine grower experiences different types of time. Our research aims to examine how the wine grower articulates the different types of times: the weather, the economic time and human time. The wine grower's capability of articulating them is considered as a distinctive competence. Yet, this articulation is far from spontaneous: the wine grower must strike a compromise to get employees to cooperate. Empirical research has been conducted among six wine growers. The qualitative research will consider different theories in order to show that the wage-earning employee's autonomy is a precondition for that compromise.

How can a wine grower articulate the different types of time: the time of the weather, the economic time, and the human time?

How can a wine grower articulate the different types of time: the time of the weather, the economic time, and the human time?

MONITORING OF IRRIGATION IN A MEDITERRANEAN VINEYARD: WATER BALANCE SIMULATION VERSUS PRESSURE CHAMBER MEASUREMENT

Irrigation may be needed in the Mediterranean context but the monitoring of the grapevine water stress and the calculation of the irrigation needs are subject to difficulties. To obtain a specific yield and quality of the harvest, a defined course of water potential, ranging typically from – 0.1 MPa to – 0.6 MPa, is targeted by the wine grower. In the Mediterranean context, intense water stress (very negative values of potential) at inappropriate times is possible; it can be avoided by supplying irrigation. The traditional diagnosis method based on predawn water potential measurement requires sampling numerous leaves at night. Another approach is based on the utilization of a water balance model, which includes the regulation of transpiration performed by the grapevine, together with the physical processes occurring in the field: bare soil evaporation and runoff. The soil reservoir is characterized by its Total Transpirable Soil Water, and the maximal grapevine transpiration by a crop coefficient calculated from the geometrical parameters of the vegetation. In the experiment reported here (domaine Cazes, Rivesaltes, France), irrigation was triggered by comparing the calculated grapevine status with successive thresholds of potential in adequation with an objective of yield and quality. The parameters (Total Transpirable Soil Water, runoff curve number, readily and totally evaporable water, crop coefficient) were calculated from field and grapevine observations, and climatic data came from the nearby meteorological station. Total Transpirable Soil Water was estimated at 145 mm from profiles of water content and cultural profile (root distribution) performed in the vineyard, and the crop coefficient for Cabernet vineyard attained 0.47. The pressure chamber monitoring led to 30 mm (three time 10 mm) irrigation both in 2010 and 2011. The water balance model would have led to 50 mm in 2010 and 30 mm in 2011. These results are considered promising for the water balance monitoring of irrigation at the field scale.

Modeling of vine agronomic practices in the context of climate change

Global climate change affects regional climates and hold implications for viticulture worldwide. Many studies have addressed the issue of the impact of climate change on viticulture in most wine regions worldwide, yet few studies are devoted to observing and simulating both climate and climate change at the “terroir” scale (local scale). However, phenological variations as well as differences in grapes/wine quality are often observed over short distances in a wine-region, which are related to local characteristics (slope, soil, seasonal climate …). This paper proposes a modeling approach to simulate behavior changes in wine grower activities and to analyze the impact of changing strategies in wine production. Two experiments were conducted in the small wine appellation grand cru Quart de Chaume (Coteaux du Layon, Loire Valley, France) and in the wine estate in Mendoza (Bodega Alta Vista) where all of the methodology (from the implementation of the knowledge database to the analysis of the first simulation) is presented. Given that this prototype is still under development, several research perspectives are discussed.

Captivating titles and award-winning labels to promote premium products of microbiology: Figure 1

A bottle of white wine attracted my attention at a supermarket a while ago. The bottle had an appealing label depicting a bucolic scene and was decorated with a conspicuous gold medal. I bought this wine. When I tasted it at home, I was quite pleased with the quality of the product – but did it really merit a gold medal? I was astonished. A closer look at the medal then revealed its true meaning: the prize had been awarded for the most original label at a recent wine fair. Obviously, the wine grower's marketing strategy worked, selling a microbiological product in a highly competitive market. As a customer, I was slightly irritated as I realized that I should have paid more attention to the contents of the bottle, rather than to the gold medal. Trained to observe and assess the true nature of things, scientists would not make this kind of mistake in their …

Unexpected predominance of wine grower location over soil trafficability for vine management in southern France

On a regional scale, many management concerns, such as agricultural planning and water contamination management, require information regarding the diversity and location of agricultural practices. One means of obtaining this information is to search for spatially explicit indicators that correspond to factors that drive agricultural practices. The objective of our study was to assess the role of soil trafficability on the distribution of soil surface management practices in a Mediterranean vine-growing region characterised by water contamination by herbicides. Soil surface management relies on different combinations of technologies such as shallow tillage, chemical weeding, and grass cover. We hypothesised that soils characterised by low trafficability were associated with the use of chemical weeding or grass cover in alleys that tractors use while spraying pesticides. Here, data on practices were collected by survey at the plot resolution. Soil trafficability was evaluated based on an expert classification of the soil units of a 1:25,000 soil map. Using classification trees, we tested the ability of the following three explanatory variables to determine the choice of practice: (1) the trafficability of the plot, (2) the percentage of plots with low trafficability within the vineyard of the farm holding, and (3) the wine grower residence place. Our results show that the trafficability classifies 59% of plots. The percentage of plots with low trafficability classifies 76% of plots. The wine grower residence place classifies 84% of the plots. Although the choice of practice correlated with soil trafficability, the residence place of the wine grower unexpectedly over-determined the practice choice. As a consequence, our findings evidence a spatial variability of the role of soil in the distribution of soil surface management practices. In addition, soil trafficability cannot be used as major indicator of the practice spatial distribution.

Granulome élastolytique annulaire à cellules géantes

Annular elastolytic giant cell granuloma (AEGCG) is a rare form of granulomatous dermatosis. It is characterised histologically by phagocytosis of elastic fibres by multinucleated cells. We report a favourable outcome in a case of AEGCG following PUVA therapy and treatment with synthetic antimalarials.A 67-year-old retired wine grower presented with highly pruritic annular lesions with raised borders on the shoulders and trunk that had been present for several months. Histological examination of a biopsy sample from the erythematous border was characteristic of AEGCG. Various topical treatments proved ineffective and systemic corticosteroids attenuated the patient's pruritus but had no effect on the skin lesions. PUVA therapy resulted in regression of lesions on the trunk, but the rash spread to the patient's arms and was covered with epidermal microcysts. PUVA therapy was discontinued and treatment with a synthetic antimalarial (hydroxychloroquine 400mg/d) was initiated, resulting in complete regression of the lesions.AEGC was isolated in 1979 by Hanke et al. on the basis of five cases seen in females. This is a rare form of dermatosis with some 30 cases being reported in the English literature. The clinical aspect is fairly evocative, with erythematous papular lesions, either alone or in groups, with a raised border and a lighter centre tending towards atrophy. In most cases, the lesions are found predominantly in areas exposed to sunlight. The histological appearance is characteristic, with an image of giant cell elastophagic granuloma from which the name of the disease is taken. This appearance allows the disease to be differentiated from a number of other granulomatous diseases. The aetiology is unknown and treatment is empirical. Spontaneous cure can occur and consistent results have not been obtained with any treatments. In our case, PUVA was partly successful, and the synthetic antimalarials resulted in complete regression of residual lesions.

The hand of the wine grower: hypothenar hammer syndrome

The hand of the wine grower: hypothenar hammer syndrome

Assessment of solar photocatalysis to purify on-site rinse waters from tractor cisterns used in grapevine pest control: field experimentation

The aim of this study was to assess in a vineyard the effect of purifying by solar photocatalysis the title rinse waters (currently most often rejected) in terms of efficacy and on-site practicality for the wine grower. The on-site, self-functioning, solar purifying unit included a corrugated-steel inclined plate of area S = 1 m2 onto which a TiO2-coated thin material had been slightly pressed, a tank, and an aquarium-type pump powered by a photovoltaic panel (appropriate for isolated locations). For a vineyard of area A = 0.15 km2, the rinse water (about 90 L) corresponding to each of four typical vine treatments in summer was analysed (major pesticides for each treatment, TOC, Microtox test and, in one case, BOD5) by independent laboratories, before and after purification for 8 days. The S/A ratio tested was found insufficient even if the photocatalytic treatment markedly improved the quality of the rinse waters. From the relatively low final organic content reached in one case, it is calculated that a three-time higher S/A ratio might suffice, but new trials are necessary to determine whether it is valid for other typical cases. Inferred contribution of inorganic ions to the post-photocatalytic treatment toxicity points to the need for an additional detoxification. These field experiments have also demonstrated that the purifying prototype is robust, and easy to install and use on site by the wine grower.

Field solar photocatalytic purification of pesticides-containing rinse waters from tractor cisterns used for grapevine treatment

The objective was to assess in a vineyard the effect of purifying by solar photocatalysis the title rinse waters (presently rejected or, extremely rarely, cleaned in specific installations) in terms of efficacy and on-site ease-of-use for the wine grower. The on-site, self-functioning, solar purifying unit included a corrugated-steel inclined plate of area S=1 m 2 onto which a TiO 2-coated thin material had been stuck, a 100-l tank, and an aquarium-type pump powered by a photovoltaic panel. For a vineyard of area A=0.15 km 2, the rinse water (about 80 l) corresponding to each of four typical vine treatments was analysed (major pesticides for each treatment, TOC, Microtox test and, in one case, BOD 5) by independent laboratories, before and after purification for 8 days. These analyses showed that the S/ A ratio tested was insufficient. From the relatively low final organic content reached in one case, it is calculated that a three-time higher S/ A ratio might suffice, but new trials are necessary to determine whether it is valid for the other typical cases. Inferred contribution of inorganic ions to the post-photocatalytic treatment toxicity points out to the need for an additional detoxification. However, even with a too small S, the photocatalytic treatment markedly improved the quality of the rinse waters. These field experiments have also demonstrated that the purifying prototype is robust, and easy to install and use on site by the wine grower.

Field solar photocatalytic purification of pesticides-containing rinse waters from tractor cisterns used for grapevine treatment

The objective was to assess in a vineyard the effect of purifying by solar photocatalysis the title rinse waters (presently rejected or, extremely rarely, cleaned in specific installations) in terms of efficacy and on-site ease-of-use for the wine grower. The on-site, self-functioning, solar purifying unit included a corrugated-steel inclined plate of area S =1 m 2 onto which a TiO 2 -coated thin material had been stuck, a 100-l tank, and an aquarium-type pump powered by a photovoltaic panel. For a vineyard of area A =0.15 km 2 , the rinse water (about 80 l) corresponding to each of four typical vine treatments was analysed (major pesticides for each treatment, TOC, Microtox test and, in one case, BOD 5 ) by independent laboratories, before and after purification for 8 days. These analyses showed that the S / A ratio tested was insufficient. From the relatively low final organic content reached in one case, it is calculated that a three-time higher S / A ratio might suffice, but new trials are necessary to determine whether it is valid for the other typical cases. Inferred contribution of inorganic ions to the post-photocatalytic treatment toxicity points out to the need for an additional detoxification. However, even with a too small S , the photocatalytic treatment markedly improved the quality of the rinse waters. These field experiments have also demonstrated that the purifying prototype is robust, and easy to install and use on site by the wine grower.

Du terroir au territoire : le sens politique et social de la fragmentation géographique des vignobles (From "terroir" to territory : wine geographical division can be political and social as well)

The example of Bordeaux region shows that the mechanism of wine geographical division seems more to be linked to social than natural aspects. The division between "terroirs" of quality wine production depends more often on the wine grower organisation than on soil criteria that are still largely put forward. It can largely be explained with the setting up conditions of appellation areas. In a very changing wine area such as the Cahors region, natural aspect still prevail on social aspects, which appears like a "scientific" explanation that hides political and social decisions.

Anjou wine growers perception and valorization of the terroir

<p style="text-align: justify;">A “terroir” study, based on the “Basic Terroir Unit” concept (B.T.U.), has been realized in the french vineyard of Anjou (Loire Valley). In the characterization of B.T.U.’s natural factors, the geological component (geological stage and lithology) is the first key used to B.T.U. identification. The second affects the soil and its variability. A ground model has been elaborated as suitable to mapping small areas showing a sufficient homogeneous vine behavior. This pattern, based on the soil depth and the weathering intensity of the parent rock, allows to distinguish three main type of environments : “ rock, alteration, alterite”.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Furthermore, a viticultural survey based on parcels has been carried out and coupled to the characterization and mapping of B.T.U. The data crossing, by an information geographic system (I.G.S.), of these two approaches allowed an analysis of the wine growers empirical perception and valorization of “terroir”.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The survey has been realized among all wine-growers’ home, in the twelve main viticultural municipalities of the studied area. The different kinds of questions were about to : the socio-economical farm aspects, the vine and its ecophysiological behavior, the viticultural and oenological wine grower practices, the wine grower’s soil empirical knowledge, the climate and the parcel potentiality. Most questions presented three modalities of answers for each variable : “in the average, higher or lower than the average”. Results were treated with two methods : crossing selection and multiple factor analysis. These analysis were realized at two scales : the first one which was the ground model " rock, alteration, alterite " applied in the whole studied area, so called “general ground model” ; and the second one which was the B.T.U. for the both main geological systems : the metagrauwacke of the brioverian period and the green to grey sandstone schist of the ordovician-devonian period. At the first scale, the wine growers have well differentiated the both opposite rock and alterite environments, by climatic (air temperature, frost risk), pedoclimatic (temperature and soil moisture regime) and pedological (soil depth and stone content) criteria. The environment “ alteration ” is less well characterized from the survey but also from the characterization method of natural factors. The vine behavior (bud break earliness, canopy development in the both normal year and dry year) is also influenced, according to the survey, by the environment type. Wine growers have partly integrated these detected differences between parcels on their viticultural (grape variety, number of selection for grape harvesting) and oenological practices (kind of wine, vinification and marketing of wine per parcel, yeast using).</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The analysis at the B.T.U. scale have confirmed the pertinence of the ground model “ rock, alteration, alterite ” on the perception of pedologic and pedoclimatic characteristics and a great influence of the geological system on the local climatic factors and on the vine behavior.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The coherence of results between these two approaches (survey and integrated characterization) would allow the data acquisition, per survey, about several variables that are not directly collected during the B.T.U. mapping phasis.</p>

La mémoire du vin. Le souvenir et l'oubli dans le vignoble bourguignon

Memories of wine : remembering and forgetting in the vineyard of Burgundy. Burgundy wine grew out of an extremely old culture. The "original memory", belonging to religious comunities, was lost with several portentous events : the sale of the biens nationaux, the phylloxera crisis, the agricultural revolutions. The memory of the wine grower has paid more attention to weather phenomena, than to changes in ownership, and has been transmitted more through oral tradition than through archives. Sometimes entirely made over, the memory of wine becomes richer with legends, often believable if not verifiable, such as the story of the rivalry between Madame de Pompadour and the Prince de Conti over Romanée-Conti. These memories of wine remain to this day largely unwritten.

Le vin gaulois

Wine was a constant evolution mover in Gauls during Antiquity. The first exchanges's fundamental terms were built on metal and slaves bartered for wine, either Etruscan or Greek and then Italian. It symbolizes their own leaders' power. In many places, the fantastic vine dressing expansion under the Empire can be traced in the wine grower's craftiness. Large wine storerooms as well as the making of amphoras attest to overproduction aimed at exporting all sorts of wines and vintages.