Languedoc: Fresh programme aims to curb smoke taint risk
Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins du Languedoc (CIVL) – the trade body representing the region’s AOP and IGP wines – recently relaunched the Viti-Incendie programme which aims to help the region’s producers tackle the risk of smoke taint due to wildfires.
This effort comes amid a wider push by the CIVL to guide producers in their approach to climate induced challenges. Summer temperatures now reach above 40C and soil temperatures up to 60C. The Viti-Incendie project is coordinated by the InterSud technical centre with support from the CIVL’s R&D team.
According to the generic body, “the initiative combines satellite mapping of fire-affected areas with laboratory analysis and micro-fermentation to assess potential contamination, which may not be perceptible on grapes and can emerge during or after fermentation”.
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Satellite maps are updated several times a day using NASA and Copernicus data, with lab results converted into a 0-4 scale of smoke taint risk and “anonymously incorporated into a collaborative risk map”, explained the CIVL.
The tool aims to provide Languedoc producers with data that can assess potential contamination at a local level and allow for informed decisions regarding harvesting, grape allocation and vinification.
Innovative climate adaptation strategies in the region are also coming from the producers themselves.
Terrasses du Larzac estate Mas des Chimères has shown that dépalissage (or untrellising) has reduced maximum canopy temperatures by up to 3C and retained 40% more soil moisture relative to control plots. This process involves lowering or untrellising foliage to improve shade across rows.
Drought-tolerant heritage grape varieties are gaining enhanced attention in the southern French region too. At Faugères’ Domaine Les Serrals, winemaker Chloé Barthet is shifting towards Carignan over Grenache thanks to the former’s heat tolerance. She noted that Grenache loses acidity in extreme heat.
MD of CIVL Olivier Legrand reflected: “Adaptation has long been part of viticulture in Languedoc, but the pace of change today requires us to go further and faster. Our strength is our ability to work collectively – bringing together growers, winemakers, researchers and technical experts to test solutions and put them into practice.”
He added: “Viti-Incendie is a good example of that approach, giving producers practical tools to assess and respond to wildfire risk.
“At the same time, we are drawing on Languedoc’s Mediterranean viticultural heritage, from established grape varieties to traditional vineyard practices, alongside research and innovation. It is this combination that will allow us to keep adapting and producing wines with freshness, balance and a strong sense of place.”
Harpers published an article in our July issue following a trip to the dynamic region which you can read here. Future-focused efforts in appellations such as Saint-Chinian and Faugères highlighted a territory that is eager to approach climate adaptation head on.
Image – Author’s own, vineyards in AOP Terrasses du Larzac
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