Technological value of local grapes in the context of climate change

Abstract

In the wine year 2023 - 2024 the climatic conditions were less favorable for the development of vines, high temperatures and drought this summer led to rapid ripening of grapes with low productivity. According to the State Hydrometeorological Service in the winter of 2024 were recorded - minimum temperatures (up to minus 16.8 °C), which caused the wilt of the central buds in some plantations. Spring frosts (up to minus 1.4-6.0 °C), which were recorded on 09 - 10.03.2024, large temperature variations caused uneven weeping of vines. In April, in the vineyards surveyed by the National Board of Vineyards, the air temperature in the vineyards ranged from +1,4...+29,8 °С, and the soil temperature at a depth of 20...30 cm - ranged from +8,7...+20,4 °C. The paper investigated the climatic conditions of 2023 and 2024 in terms of vine development and dry wine production in the context of climate changes. The research was centered on agrobiological, uvological and technological analyses of the composition of grapes harvested as: Viorica from different areal of the Republic of Moldova and with the production of raw material wines. In 2024, compared to 2023, the ripening of berries commenced 15 to 20 days earlier. A reduction in grape yield of 20–50% was observed, accompanied by a 30 - 40% decrease in must yield. High temperatures and low humidity resulted in low acidity and rather high sugar content, which is a significant problem not only in the southern areas of Moldova. Insufficient flavor intensity was also found. The pedoclimatic conditions of the Republic of Moldova are characterized by rich heliothermal resources, are very favorable for the cultivation of vines, producing high quality dry wines. By examining the organoleptic, physico-chemical indices and sensory profiles of the wines produced from different areas we can conclude that the wines produced were of good quality with expressed aromatic complexity.