Managing Nitrogen in White Wine Grapes
Funding provided by the USDA Specialty Crops Research Initiative
Background:
Earlier this year, a group of scientists from Washington State University and Cornell University, in cooperation with several other universities received monies to gather stakeholder input and support for investigating the impact of nitrogen on vine management, grape quality, resultant wine quality, and consumer perceptions.
Invitation to Interested Growers and Researchers:
We will have three meetings during which we will give short presentations about the research proposed and ask for input and evaluation from stakeholders and researchers.
Pacific Northwest Meeting
Date: February 3, 2009
Location: Kennewick Red Lion Hotel, Room TBA
Time:8:30 am - 3 pm
Northeastern U.S. Meeting
(in conjunction with Finger Lakes Grape Growers Convention, March 6 & 7)
Date: March 5, 2009
Location:Geneva Lakefront Ramada Inn
Time: 8:30 am - 3 pm
Objectives
The objectives of this project are to:
- Determine the impact of various nitrogen (N) management programs on grape and wine quality
- Determine optimum levels and timing of N management for different regions in the United States
- Assess aroma and flavor component changes as a result of various N management
- Conduct sensory analysis and consumer preference testing on resultant wines from these various N management programs.
The figure below summarizes the known impacts of N on various components of the grape vine, berry, and resultant wine.
image by Project Summary
Appropriate nitrogen (N) management is paramount for white wine grapes as it affects all aspects of growth and fruit development, yet little information exists on which to base N recommendations for growers to both optimize grape and wine quality as well as economic returns. In the interest of implementing sustainable approaches to nutrient management and encouraging economic profitability, the long-term goal of this project is to achieve high quality fruit through targeted management of plant nutrients at key growth stages in grapevines. The current project objective is to connect stakeholders and scientists through three meetings to develop a multi-disciplinary, multi-state team to study the impact of N management on all aspects of growing white wine grapes. These meetings will be held in conjunction with the annual Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers meeting (4-6 February 2009), the annual Finger Lakes Grape Growers meeting (6-7 March 2009), and the American Society of Enology and Viticulture Eastern Section meeting in July 2009. Successful team and project objective development would result in the submission of a coordinated agricultural project (CAP) that would explore plant nutrient management options for white wine grapes that can enhance the flavor and aroma compounds in the grape, and assure adequate nutrients for fermentation while optimizing other aspects of the productions system that may adversely affect vine health, such as fungal diseases or insect pests. Formulating recommendations for growers based on this work would give North American-produced aromatic white wines a competitive advantage in the world market.
Extension programs and policies are consistent with federal and state laws and regulations on nondiscrimination regarding race, sex, religion, age, color, creed, national or ethnic origin; physical, mental or sensory disability; marital status, sexual orientation; or status as a Vietnam-era or disabled veteran. Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local Extension office.
Important Dates:
Feb
3
2009
Washington State Meeting
3 Rivers Convention Ctr., Kennewick, WA
Mar
5
2009
New York Meeting
Geneva Lakefront Ramada Inn, Geneva, NY
July
19
2009
Grant Finalization Meeting
ASEV, Eastern Section,Painseville, OH
Heading using the h3 tag
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