The production of a quality wine depends on the cultivation of high quality grapes with favorable chemical and physical characteristics, which result from the submitted micrometeorological regime, variety and soil-plant management. Grape yield and quality performance can be responsive to varying levels of water depth and the pruning system. The interaction between these two factors and the surrounding environment has been proved to be influential upon the wine quality. An experiment was carried out with wine grapes through the growing seasons of 2003 to 2005. The objective was to determine the best combination of pruning (manual and mechanized) and irrigation practices on 'Syrah' (Vitis vinifera L.) envisaging wine quality achievement, under a hot and dry microclimate. Results showed that the grape composition was consistently affected by the pruning system whereas the best aroma profile was observed in mechanically pruned plots cultivated under low to moderate water stress.
Vitis vinífera L.; microclimate; irrigation
