Project Number: 5358-21000-041-27
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Sep 20, 2010
End Date: Sep 30, 2013

Objective:
The objective of this cooperative research project is to determine the balance between canopy and crop level manipulation in vineyards, and to quantitatively assess the effects of so-called 'vine balance' on fruit chemistry.

Approach:
A field-based approach will be taken, using mature wine grape vineyards. Crop load will be adjusted to within, above- and below- the wine industry's standard recommendations for the cultivar and production district. All other vineyard management will follow standard practices for the cultivar and production district. Canopy and fruit microclimates will be characterized quantitatively at physiologically important stages of vine and grape berry development. At commercial maturity, fruit will be analyzed for standard maturity indices, phenolics, and other compounds associated with quality.