Department of Viticulture and Enology at UC Davis’ Post

The Washington State Wine Commission has opened its 2024 research survey to help identify the industry’s top wine and grape research priorities. The research survey is conducted annually by the WSWC as a key component of the industry-driven, viticulture and enology research program in Washington. Industry feedback gathered from the survey guides the Wine Research Advisory Committee during its annual revaluation of research priorities. All Washington wine industry members who utilize viticulture and enology research are asked to participate in the short survey. https://lnkd.in/gd-Ejre4

🍇🌿 Are you curious about the basics of vine cultivation and grapevine anatomy in winemaking? Check out this informative article that serves as an introduction to understanding where our wine comes from! Explore vine species, vine anatomy, and training methods like head training and cordon training to gain essential knowledge in the world of viticulture. Whether you're a wine enthusiast or looking to start your vineyard, this article sheds light on the fascinating process of turning grapes into wine. Cheers to learning more about the journey from vine to glass! 🍷🌱 https://lnkd.in/eZeCSQct #WineEducation #ViticultureBasics #LearnAboutWine #LinkedInPost

Studying wine evolution during barrel maturation is crucial to ensuring wine quality. In a new research article published by Inès Le Mao, Grégory Da Costa, Guillaume Leleu, and Tristan Richard in IVES - International Viticulture and Enology Society the use of 1H NMR-based metabolomics for monitoring red wine maturation in oak barrels was explored. This well-known winemaking practice brings roundness and complexity to wine, and the findings of this study shed new light on the process. Discover more about this fascinating research here: https://lnkd.in/dzXpReET

🥰 In this Sip & Study reel, Prof. Attilio Scienza passionately explains the concept that grapes, much like humans, are equal from an evolutionary standpoint.👨🔬 With his expertise, he delves into the fascinating world of viticulture, illustrating how every grape variety contributes uniquely to the rich tapestry of winemaking, without the need for hierarchical categorization☝️ Join Prof. Scienza on a journey through vineyards where diversity thrives and excellence knows no bounds ⛔⚠️ #sipnstudy #winestudy #winelearning #italianwine #italianwinebooks #italianwinebook

As a half-Armenian germplasm nerd (who also enjoys wine), this is the LinkedIn content I didn’t know I needed. 🍇🍷 Like other clonally-propagated perennial crops (food and ornamental alike), wine grapes can display diversity even within the same cultivar, due to single mutations called “sports.” Besides offering diversity of flavor, color, or growth habit, sports are also a uniquely useful resource for understanding plant genetics: if you can identify the single point of mutation between two sport clones, you can pinpoint the genetic basis for a particular phenotype. Household names like Honeycrisp, Golden Delicious, and Red Delicious have lots of known sports: some conferring different peel color, others conferring slightly different growth habit. When a particular variety is mass-propagated for long periods of time, the likelihood is that a chance mutation on one branch or cane will show up. Paradoxically, a massive monoculture can sometimes be the ideal place to find diversity! While doing fieldwork at a commercial apple orchard, I noticed one branch on a tree of the cider cultivar Brown Snout that had different-looking fruit on it. Instead of just having russeting on the calyx end, the fruit was fully russeted (like a potato 🥔). With the owner’s permission, I took cuttings and had it propagated into new trees. I dubbed it “DeFisher Brown Snout.” The fruit ripens at the same time, juice chemistry was identical—the only difference was the skin. #plantgenetics #mutations #biodiversity #diversity #wine #germplasm

Want to learn more about viticulture and winemaking? Can you taste minerals in wine? Is the Winkler Index for climate over? We got you covered. Matt Brain, a former academic in viticulture and winemaking who now makes wine at Alpha Omega in Napa Valley, is writing a monthly column for us. The first column is out now, and you might find intriguing revelations regarding the mineral qualities that winemakers frequently cite. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gDVVhbN6

🍷 🍇 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 #𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲! Today, let's talk about AVAs - American Viticultural Areas. If you've ever been to a wine tasting, you've likely heard this term. But, do you know what it means? I definitely didn't when I started my wine journey! 🤷♀️ ❓ What exactly is an AVA? An AVA is a designated grape-growing region recognized by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). Each AVA has unique geographical features, such as soil composition, elevation, and climate, that influence the characteristics of the wines produced there. ✅ To become an AVA, an area must demonstrate distinctive qualities that set it apart from surrounding regions. This can include factors like unique microclimates, soil types, and historical significance. Once approved, wines produced within an AVA can proudly display the AVA name on their labels, signifying their origin and quality. 💡 Did you know that the United States boasts over 250 AVAs across 33 states? That's right! From California's iconic Napa Valley to New York's scenic Finger Lakes, all the way down to my home state of Georgia's Dahlonega Plateau - AVAs showcase the diverse terroir of American wine regions. 🥂 So, the next time you raise a glass of wine, take a moment to appreciate the fascinating world of AVAs and the diverse flavors they bring to your glass! Cheers to exploring the wonderful world of wine, one AVA at a time! #WineWednesday #WineIndustry #WineEducation 📸 : The stunning view from Chappellet Vineyard on Pritchard Hill in Napa Valley.

Spent the morning in Priorat with Antoni Sánchez-Ortiz, PhD about viticulture in this rough, raw, and naturally pristine appellation in Catalunya whereby, depending upon the exposure and aspect both Garnacha (Garnatxa) and Cariñena (Carinyena), thrive producing extremely concentrated,  lifted, alcoholic and tannic wines. The video show how the local llicorella (foliated, crumbly metamorphic rock) can be fractured vertically which allows among other things, root penetration through the cracks as well as rainfall to penetrate deep into the soil. The llicorella soils, mostly concentrated in Priorat (but less so in the surrounding Monsant appellation), also retain heat and Toni has measured temperatures up to 70 ºC (158 F) in the surface of these rocks. This is the Mas Vell plot of Perinet Winery in Poboleda. Mas Vell is south facing and a tad more continental than Porrera, ideal for the isohydric (i.e., able to maintain constant water potential through timely stomatal closure), Garnacha (Carinyena needs more water and thrives in the relatively more maritime and mediterrean Porrera). Priorat, at large, is a true example on how soil (in certain instances), both defines and allows viticulture through the interplay between soil, environment, and variety. Antoni Sánchez-Ortiz, PhD

I'm thrilled to have completed the Viticulture workshop and earned my certificate! This workshop deepened my understanding of grape cultivation, wine production, and the art of winemaking. I gained valuable insights into the latest techniques and best practices in the industry. Looking forward to applying my new knowledge and connecting with fellow wine enthusiasts and professionals! #Viticulture #Winemaking #WineIndustry #ContinuousLearning #Certificate #Workshop #WineLover"

Interesting article with a bit of history. Vineyard managers are considering what trellising systems to use based on the challenges of finding labor to work in vineyards, and a growing consumer interest in wines of balance and freshness. Cheers! 🥂