Title: Geography and geology, real ecological resources of the wine territory: The case of the alto adige DOC wine region in Italy

Biography:

Carlo Ferretti graduated from the Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna (Italy). Professional geologist since 1992 he has completed over 1,500 geological and  geotechnical projects. Since 2007 he has specialized in the agricultural sector with researches and consultancy to wine producers. He concentrates his skills in the experimental observation of the ecological diversity in relation to environmental indicators and wines’ quality. 

Abstract

The combination of several natural component such as geography, climate, vine variety together with local cultures and winemakers, influences and shapes the wines qualities around the world. Mainly geology, geomorphology and microclimate are geographical features that can be intended as natural ecological resources of the territory. These are precursor of the biosynthetic activities that promote the biodiversity and the qualitative predisposition of either the vine and wine.

Alto Adige is a small winegrowing regions in Italy in which, thanks to its location in the middle of the multiform Alps mountain range, the aforementioned geographical elements vary outstandingly. For years now, Italian wine guide has awarded Alto Adige a large number of top wine in proportion to its total vineyard area. Our studies show that innovative analytical approach are there required to scientific explain the geographical value linked to the wine original identity. We tried therefore to look at new methods of analysis and classification of the territory at vineyards scale. The results of our recent seeks on both the vineyard’s topoclimate, expressed by the new-found Solar Radiation Identity index (SRI), and the Vineyard Geological identity (VGI) allow us to distinguish and parameterize some environmental indicators. These natural differences seems to be able to give to the local wines many distinctive qualities and links between the vineyards location and the wine’s quality of some grape varieties have been observed. Experimental examines of Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot noir and Gewürztraminer wines confirms how geography can increase the local ecological diversity, acting as spatial buffers for the vineyards distribution and quality characteristics.