ABSTRACT:
This study aims to evaluate the ripening of 'Cabernet Franc's' grape berries submitted to different levels of clusters thinning in order to establish criteria that will help to define the most appropriate management for winemaking in regions above 900m. The experiment was conducted during the growing seasons of 2009/10 and 2010/11 in a commercial vineyard (28º 17' 39" S e 49º 55' 56" W, 1,230m), located in São Joaquim, SC. Plants are grafted on Paulsen 1103 and conducted in vertical shooting positioning trellis, spacing 3.0 x 1.2m and covered with hail protection net. Levels of clusters thinning, set at "veraison", corresponded to maximum production, and percentage reductions in productivity by 25%, 50% and 75%. In the region of altitude, the practice of clusters thinning modifies the chemical composition of 'Cabernet Franc's' grape berries. Besides reducing the production per area, this practice does not have a compensatory effect of lower productivity in the quality of wine and equilibrium vegetative/productive plants as well. Reducing production through clusters thinning did not reach the expected benefits for cv 'Cabernet Franc' in this survey.
Key words:
Vitis vinifera L; management; ripening; total polyphenols; altitude wines
Thumbnail
