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Viticultural Performance of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon (Vitis vinifera L.) Cultivated in High Altitude Regions of Southern Brazil



Author(s)

Jaqueline Nogueira Muniz, Suzeli Simon, Alberto Fontanella Brighenti, Luciane Isabel Malinovski, Carolina Pretto Panceri, Gabriella Vanderlinde, Juliana Welter, Débora Dal Zotto and Aparecido Lima da Silva

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DOI:10.17265/1934-7391/2015.09.001

Different studies show that the altitude regions of the State of Santa Catarina have great potential for the production of grapevine varieties. The aim of this study was to characterize the phenological development, determine the thermal requirements in degree-days (DD), the index heliothermic (IH) and climatic variables during the vegetative and productive development of varieties Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grown in Campo Belo do Sul (27°40′04″ S, 50°44′48″ W, altitude 950 m a.s.l.) and São Joaquim (28°15′13″ S, 49°57′02″ W, altitude 1,400 m a.s.l.) during 2012/2013 cycle. Phenological stages evaluated were bud break, full bloom, veraison and maturity. Higher temperatures, global radiation, PAR and lower volumes of rainfall were the main climatic parameters that differentiated Campo Belo do Sul from São Joaquim. Due to occurrence of higher temperatures, Campo Belo do Sul presented thermal summation around 40% higher than São Joaquim. The low temperatures of São Joaquim extended the period of grape ripening and were responsible for the highest levels of titratable acidity and the higher concentrations of anthocyanins and total polyphenols in both varieties. The results show that in the altitude ranges studied (900 and 1400 meters), climatic behavior and viticultural performance of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot were suitable for producing quality wines.

Climate, phenology, technological maturation, total polyphenols