Tag: research

Syrah green harvest (bunch/crop thinning) in the Rhone Valley

Does “green harvest” improve the wine?

Green harvest (or cluster thinning, crop thinning) is when the grower removes some grape bunches in the middle of summer, before they are ripe (sometimes later), to lessen the harvest volume.  Some years ago, this

Mushrooms (porcini, ceps) on a market in Alba, Piedmont

Fungus-resistant grapes should be called fungus tolerant

There is a lot of talk about fungus resistant grapes (sometimes called PIWI, from German pilzwiderstandsfähige). But the descriptor is maybe poorly chosen. The “fungus resistant” grapes used today are hybrids, in other words crosses

Control panel on an electric oven

Electric furnaces produce more sustainable glass bottles

Verallia, the world’s third largest glass manufacturer, is well aware that the glass bottle today receives a lot of criticism for its environmental impact. Therefore, they work hard to make it more environmentally friendly. The

Vineyards in La Clape, Languedoc, among trees and limestone rocks

Cover crop, yes, but maybe not always?

In wine production, adapting to local conditions is paramount. Many wine producers adhere to the principle of never leaving the land bare, advocating minimal ploughing, and always preserving the weeds/cover crops in the vineyard. However,

A very warm and sunny summer day

Which grape varieties to grow in a drier climate?

A new study by INRAE, a French research institute, in collaboration with the universities of Bordeaux and Québec, shows the tolerance of different grapes to drought. Coping with dry weather is a grape characteristic that

Vineyards overlooking the Mosel River, Germany

New harvesting tractor for really steep slopes

To harvest with machine or by hand? Some really don’t have a choice, e.g., producers who have vineyards on very steep slopes where no harvesting machine dares to tread. But that is starting to change.

A bunch of chenin blanc grapes in Anjou, Loire Valley

8 new grape varieties approved in France

New grape varieties are regularly approved in France. First, they are preliminarily approved for a few years and then they are entered in the official French grape vine catalogue. Recently, these 8 grapes were enrolled,

Grape varieties in Torres' vineyards in Catalonia

Torres urges wine producers to act for the climate

The International Wineries for Climate Action (IWCA) was founded in 2019 by the Torres family in Spain, long-time environmentalists, and the Jackson Family Wines in California. The purpose of the association is to make the

Vineyards in La Clape, Languedoc, among trees and limestone rocks

Cover crop, yes, but maybe not always?

In wine production, adapting to local conditions is paramount. Many wine producers adhere to the principle of never leaving the land bare, advocating minimal ploughing,

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