The effects of location on the quality of grapes and wine of the variety Pinot Noir

Abstract

In the context of a large-scale project investigating interdependencies between the grapevine variety and the location site of vineyard, the habitat requirements of the variety Pinot Noir was examined. Differences and similarities of different vineyard sites in the wine-growing area Überetsch (South Tyrol, Italy) and correlations between the conditions of the sites, the analytical and sensorial properties of wines from the variety Pinot Noir was investigated. Statistically significant differences could be found between the vineyard sites and also between the wines from different vineyard sites. In order to explain these relationships, it turned out that climatological factors showed more impact than pedological factors. Lightly alkaline habitats at 450 a.s.l. (above sea level), where the planted vine grapes showed a moderate growth, seemed to be an advantage for the wine quality.