Organised by the Center for Research, Study, Safeguarding, Coordination and Valorisation of Mountain Viticulture (CERVIM), with the cooperation of the Government of the Canary Islands and under the high patronage of the OIV, this Congress brought together the representatives of around 15 countries, focusing on the theme of ‘Heroic viticulture: from grape to wine through sustainability and quality'.
The Congress comprised four technical sessions:
- mechanization and precision viticulture for steep-slope vineyards,
- examples of heroic viticulture and their sustainability and identitary landscape elements,
- oenological practices for heroic viticulture valorisation,
- the biodiversity value of wine in heroic viticulture.
Around 20 experts gave an oral presentation at the same time as 30 or so posters were displayed.
An important role in land-use planning
During a round table dedicated to perspectives of mountain and steep-slope viticulture, the Director General of the OIV highlighted the significant role of this type of viticulture with regard to land-use planning. These vineyards not only maintain economic activity in difficult regions, but also shape landscapes in an exceptional manner.
‘Heroic viticulture’ has transformed handicaps (steep slopes, climate, etc.) into attributes thanks to the enhanced value it provides for native vineyards that produce wines with great diversity and very strong typicity.
The different speakers coincided in advocating the need to support the development of this type of viticulture through suitable public policies.
CERVIM: defence and promotion of mountain viticulture on the international scale
Jean-Marie Aurand praised the role played by the CERVIM in the defence and promotion of mountain, steep-slope and small-island viticulture on the international scale. In this respect, he praised the commitment of President Roberto Gaudio, as the ‘spokesperson’ for mountain and steep-slope viticulture, to protection and development.
At the end of the Congress, several technical visits were organised to explore the vineyards on the island of Tenerife, which comprises no less than 5 protected designations of origin spread over more than 8000 hectares.
The CERVIM is an international organisation set up for the specific purpose of promoting and protecting heroic viticulture.
The Technical and Scientific Committee of the Center has defined the criteria that define the type of viticulture it represents:
- slopes of over 30%,
- altitude higher than 500 metres above sea level,
- viticultural systems on terraces and embankments,
- viticulture on small islands.
The Center, whose headquarters are in Aosta Valley (Italy), has always worked to support mountain, steep-slope and small-island viticulture. It pursues its objective by organising congresses and participating in initiatives of the sector, both at the national and international levels.
Before local officials, representatives of the vitivinicultural sector (including the President of the Italian Federation of Industrialists, Producers, Exporters and Importers of Wines [FEDERVINI]), and scientists and experts in the sector, Jean-Marie Aurand – after a presentation of the OIV – gave a panorama of global vitiviniculture, highlighting major trends before discussing the major economic, environmental, social and societal issues for the future. Also present at this event were Professor Luigi Bavaresco (on whose initiative the Conference was created), Vittorino Novello, Eugenio Pomarici and Honorary OIV President Professor Mario Fregoni.
During this visit, the Director General of the OIV went to see the International Library "La Vigna", a veritable institution whose collection of books – with over 60,000 works, 20,000 of which are devoted to vitiviniculture – is just as remarkable in number as it is in its antiquity and diversity.
Founded 50 years ago at the end of the 1960s by Demetrio Zaccaria, a Vicenza entrepreneur, who started this collection out of passion, the International Library "La Vigna" is now an institute of specialised documentation that promotes cultural activities and organises conferences and events focused on agriculture, viticulture and the diffusion of rural culture.
During this visit, the possibility of establishing collaborations between the International Library "La Vigna" and the OIV was broached by President Mario Bagnara and the Director General of the OIV.
Finally, the day of 3 May was devoted to visiting vineyards in Verona province, in the heart of the Valpolicella designation, where the OIV Director General was hosted by Sandro Boscaini, the President of FEDERVINI, at his company, the Masi Group.
Placed under the patronage of the OIV, this international wine competition is a member of VINOFED (the World Federation of Major International Wine and Spirits Competitions).
It is the biggest major international wine competition in North America.
A total of 446 producers from 31 countries presented almost 1820 wines for tasting by some 60 tasters from 15 countries around the world.
On this occasion, the Director General of the OIV highlighted the role of these competitions in fostering knowledge and promoting wines within an increasingly globalised market.
With consumption levels of almost 5 million hectolitres of wine per year, Canada is a significant importer (4.2 million hectolitres in 2016). It is worth noting that the wine market is controlled by public companies (monopolies) in the majority of provinces.
Canadian production is experiencing steady growth, reaching 600,000 hL in 2017.
Jean-Marie Aurand also shared in the tribute paid to Ghislain K-Laflamme, President of VINOFED and of the Sélections Mondiales des Vins Canada, who passed away in 2017, highlighting his professional qualities placed at the service of the vitivinicultural sector and the traits of his strong personality, which was recognised and valued by all those who knew him.
One of the leading scientific congresses for the vitivinicultural sector in Europe, Enoforum is above all a meeting place and a forum for debate for all wine and vine industry stakeholders.
Over the two days, more than 40 reports were presented on topics of great relevance and general interest.
Through a series of lectures, the 2018 event was an opportunity to examine the scientific aspects of important topics, such as:
- water management for grape maturation,
- the active and passive micro-oxygenation of wines,
- how temperature affects wine evolution,
- good practices for bulk and bottled wine trading.
In addition, several papers addressed themes as diverse as:
- the release of thiols in fermentation: genetic and nutritional factors,
- bioprotection in viticulture and oenology,
- the microbiological fertility of the soil: from scientific knowledge to vineyard application,
- the use of new treatments with regard to tartaric stabilisation,
- how to manage the negative and positive sides of sulphur compounds in wines,
- new techniques for the vinification of red wines,
- the reactivation of the basic functionalities of oak barrels through regeneration,
- the analytical approach of wineries and laboratories,
- a study on the impact of fermentation conditions on the production of esters by yeasts.
During this event, OIV Scientific Coordinator Dr Jean-Claude Ruf gave a talk on the OIV and its strategic role vis-à-vis new oenological practices. He emphasised the role of the OIV in the vitivinicultural sector as well as the main topics currently under evaluation.
This visit was a continuation of the presentation of Slovakian wines which took place in Bordeaux this past 30th November.
During an interview at the Ministry of Agriculture, Gabriela Matečná emphasized the dynamic nature of their vitivinicultural industry which is in the midst of a major renewal, accompanied and supported by the government.
This process of modernisation relies on the great variety of terroirs, the promotion of indigenous vine varieties and research on the value added through the production of high-quality wines.
More than 80% of Slovakian wines bear an AOC or a PGI. “Slovakia is a little country with big wines”, the Minister is proud to say.
Within the framework of research and training development policies, the Minister mentioned the possibility of presenting a Slovakian candidate for the grants distributed by the OIV.
Jean-Marie Aurand welcomes the many relationships between the OIV and Slovakia, mentioning among others the role of Ambassador František Lipka as President of the OIV Awards Jury.
The diversity of Slovak vitiviniculture
During the “Viticulture Workshop” organised as part of the National Slovakian Wine Exhibition, the Director General of the OIV made a presentation to the Slovakian Association of Winemakers regarding the Organisation and the state of conditions of the wine industry, highlighting the major changes and primary challenges which future holds.
After a presentation on the control and certification system by Ivana Benkovičová (Slovakia’s delegate to the OIV) and an overview of the situation of vitiviniculture in Slovakia by the President of the Winemakers Association, Ondrej Celleng and their general director Jaroslava Kaňuchová-Pátková, the award ceremony of the National Slovakian Wine Exhibition took place.
The end of the trip was reserved for visits to three farms which represent Slovakian vitiviniculture in all its diversity.
The weekend was also marked by the organisation in Prešov of the 23rd Muvina International Wine Competition, placed under the patronage of the OIV.