Viticulture Zoning in Montenegro * Svetozar SAVIĆ , Miško VUKOTIĆ *Research and Development department, Plantaže ad, Put Radomira Ivanovića, No 2 street, Postal code: 81000, Podgorica, Montenegro corresponding author: [email protected] Bulletin UASVM Horticulture 75(1) / 2018 Print ISSN 1843-5262, Electronic ISSN 1843-536X DOI:10.15835/buasvmcn-hort: 003917 Abstract Montenegro’s viticultural regions and sub-regions were defined in the 2007 Law on Wine, based on the country’s empirical, traditional, historical and social heritage. However, during the process of defining these regions and sub-regions, the influence of climatic and soil factors crucial in the determination of dependent characteristics, such as the physiology of the grapevine and the quality of the grapes and wine, was not researchedVitis viniferathoroughly enough. This work presents the climatic characteristics of the existing sub-regions, as well as the results of the climate’s impact on the physiological reactions of the most common domestic grape cv. Vranac ( L.), facilitating a new viticultural zoning in Montenegro. Over a period of 56 years, the following climatic parameters were analysed: air temperature, precipitation, insolation and air humidity. These parameters suggest that all the sub-regions in Montenegro have uniform climatic parameters. The modification of certain climatic parameters is influenced by two large bodies of water – the Adriatic Sea and Lake Skadar – and by altitude. The duration of the individual phases and vegetation of the Vranac grape variety differed only slightly in the different sub-regions. As a reflection of the influence of climatic factors in different locations, Vranac grape and wine was analysed chemically and given a sensory evaluation. The analysed parameters indicate a nearly uniform chemical composition and sensoryKeywords evaluation of all wines. Wines produced at lower altitudes were distinctive for their superior quality. : Montenegro, viticulture, zoning, grape, wine, climate indeces Introduction According to the 2007 Law on Wine, Essentially, zoning involves the establishment Montenegro’s viticultural area is classified into ampelotechnicalof boundaries of methods lower-category are implemented. areas within two regions: the Montenegrin Coast and the Lake the entire viticultural region where similar Skadar basin (Fig. 1). It is more than obvious that the previous Although Montenegro is an old European names of the regions have been only slightly and Mediterranean grape-growing country, due changed. to regaining statehood only in 2006 and its small Zoning practices were originally introduced viticultural region covering only 2,700 hectares by growers of Old World established wine regions (National Bureau of Statistics, 2014), it is facing a solely to protect their livelihoods (Skelton, 2009). zoning problem as a new viticultural country. A large number of established grape-growing After World War II, Montenegro, as a Yugoslav countrieset al such as France, Italy and Spainet completed al republic, was classified as an Adriatic grape- the zoning of their viticultural territory long ago growing region, with two sub-regions – the (Party ., 1990; Lebon,et 1993; al Sotés ., 1994; Montenegrin coast and the area of Lake Skadar Falcetti, 1994; Carbonneau, 2000; Tonietto and (Jelaska, 1954; Ulićević, 1959). In the 1970s, the Carbonneau, 2004; João ., 2012). new zoning classified the grape-growing regions With regard to zoning, New World regions, into two viticultural zones: the Montenegrin coast such as California, Chile, South Africa, Australia and the Titograd area (Grupa autora, 1977). and New Zealand use a classification based on 74 SAVIĆ and VUKOTIĆ Figure 1. Montenegro and the borders of grape-growing regions temperature accumulation (degree days), that the demarcation of registered designations of was proposed by Amerine and Winkler (1944). origin or protected geographical indications is one Today, climate indices have also been introduced of the most obvious zoning aims. (heliothermal, hydrothermal, bioclimatic, etc.), as In New Zealand, Shanmuganathan (2010) well as the impact of the soil and the interaction used cartography and two main categories that between the soil and the grapevines that affects included dependent factors (grape yield and wine the quality of the grapes and wine produced quality, but also others), as well as independent (White, 2003). An approach to particular zoning factors (climate, environment, etc.). The factors involves analysis using a Geographical Information producersof both categories to understand were analyzed and predict using the historical, reaction System (GIS) which incorporates factors related to biotic and modelling data, thereby enabling climate, topography and the soil (Madruga, 2015). In the process of zoning, phenology is also of grapevines to different impacts. taken into account (the duration of the ripening Gridded daily precipitation totals and daily of grapes, temperature accumulation and minimum, mean and maximum air temperatures precipitation during the growing season) (Köse, across Europe were used for the bioclimatic 2014), then the soil’s gravel content, aset well al as the index calculations (Santos et al., 2012), and percentage of clay and sand in the soil next to the the application of the EFI index (ecologicalet root system (Carbonneau, 2003, Tesic ., 2010) alfavourability index) for the evaluation of the and other factors. favorability for ecological viticulture (Antoce Various authors have suggested different aims ., 2007). of zoning: Winkler et al. (1974) stated that the taste Digital mapping methods and remote sensing of wine in very warm regions is often pungent and techniques have revolutionized viticultural zoning raw, while other ingredients are poorly balanced, at all levels, ranging from individual plots to the therefore, these regions can usually produce regional level. only dry table wines. Dokoozlian (1996) said However, none of these classifications can that viticulture zoning among wine producers or be accepted or applied unconditionally. A large professional organizations pertains to the spatial number of environmental factors act in unison, characterization of zones that are likely to produce reducing or increasing the intensity of each of grapes or wines of similar composition, while them. Also, one should not forget that the climate enabling operational decisions to be implemented is a dynamic category. We see, depending on the at the various stages of production. Vaudour geographical position (Popescu, 2011), that micro- (2003)Bulletin UASVM and Horticulture Vaudour 75(1) and / 2018 Shaw (2005) stated that climate changes vary significantly within a single 75 Viticulture Zoning in Montenegro Figure 2. Vineyards of the company Plantaže vineyard over the course of a year, and climate The centre of viticulture, which includes both change, in recent years, has been affecting not only the public and private sectors, is located in the the implementation et al of ampelotechnical measures vicinity of Podgorica and Lake Skadar. Plantaže, a in an individual vineyard (Savić and Petranović, state-owned company, dominates here with 2,300 2004; Jukić ., 2013), but also changes in the ha in its possession (Fig. 2). zoning of a grape and its quality, as well as the The company cultivates a large number of entire agricultureet al industry. In various studies grape varieties important for the production (Jones et al., 2005; Neumann and Matzarakis, of wines (Vranac, Krstač, Kratošija, Cabernet 2011; Fraga ., 2013) temperature changes (an Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay) and table increase of 2°C over the next 50 years), periods of grapes (Cardinal, Ribier, Muscat Italy, etc.). drought, especially across southern and western In the region of Lake Skadar basin, grapes are Europe, and a significant impact on the quality of cultivated at even higher altitudes (≈ 450 m); in the wines were emphasized. coastal region, they mainly grow at lower altitudes, The goal of this work is to officially define hotelsnear the and sea. apartments. The areas at higher altitudes are used wine-growing areas, study the climatic impacts for the development of the tourist infrastructure, on the physiology and quality of Vranac grapes and wine, the most widespread grape variety in Besides the state-owned company Plantaže, Montenegro, as well as to find justification for the in recent years private wine cellars have also existingMaterials zoning. and methods been increasingly planting varieties (Chardonnay, Viticultural zone of Montenegro Malvasia, Sauvignon Blanc and Krstac) for the production of white wines. In the cellars for o production and aging of both red and white wines, o Montenegro, within its presento borders,o is barrique barrels are increasingly being used. Also, situated between the latitudes of 41 52’ and private wine cellars are paying particular attention 43 32’ N and the longitudes of 18 26’ and 20 21’ E. to the appearance of their labels and bottles, as Intensive cultivation of grapes takes place only in well as to marketing. the central and southern parts of the country and In 2014, the total grape production was up to an altitude of 400 m. The relief is defined by 17,128 tons and wine production reached 99,981 many relatively small and diverse landforms, the hL (NationalPlant material Bureau of Statistics, 2014). influence of two large water bodies (the Adriatic Vitis Sea and Lake Skadar) and altitude, all of which vinifera have a significant role in