Abstract Detail

Recent Topics Posters

Peters, Asa [1].

Wine Grape Phenology in the Context of Climate Change.

The cultivation of grapes is a tradition multiple millennia old. Having emerged in the Middle East, Asia, and Europe, today winemaking is a worldwide practice with rich cultural connections to the people it is practiced by and the land it is practiced on. In addition to cultural connections, geographical connections also exist. Within the cultivated species Vitis vinifera there are up to 10,000 varieties of grape, although only a handful of varieties are used in modern winemaking.The differentiation of grape varieties is linked to the climate and geographical qualities of the region in which varieties have traditionally been grown. This connection of a grape variety to the region (or climate) in which it has historically been cultivated results in a sensitivity to climate among grapes which directly affects the phenological stages of fruit development. Enabled by this sensitivity, the changing global climate threatens the viability of growing today’s most popular wine grape varieties in the areas they have historically been cultivated. If the viability of growing a commonly cultivated grape variety becomes threatened by changing temperatures or season lengths, then other grape varieties can be examined to determine their viability for cultivation in a potentially warmer climate. In this study I examine the phenological qualities of commonly and uncommonly cultivated wine grape varieties using a large agricultural dataset. Understanding the phenological qualities of a large set of wine grape varieties informs the establishment of alternative varieties. These alternative varieties could take the place of today’s popular wine grape varieties, which could eventually become inviable to cultivate due to a changing global climate. 

1 - Connecticut College, Botany, 270 Mohegan Avenue, box 4613, New London, CT, 06320, United States

Keywords:
Wine
grapevine
phenology
Ecology
Climate change
agriculture.

Presentation Type: Recent Topics Poster
Session: P, Recent Topics Posters
Location: Grand Ballroom - Exhibit Hall/Mayo Civic Center
Date: Monday, July 23rd, 2018
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PRT015
Abstract ID:1299
Candidate for Awards:None