Beneficial effects of bunch-zone late defoliations and shoot positioning on berry composition and colour components of wines undergoing aging in an organically-managed and rainfed Sangiovese vineyard

n the context of climate change, where high temperatures are frequent in the first phases of ripening, protecting grapevine bunches from solar radiation is essential for preserving berry composition and wine colour. The effects of bunch-zone late defoliations (DEFs) and “semi-ballerina” shoot positioning (SB) on vine physiology and grape and wine quality of organic cv. Sangiovese wines during storage were assessed in two contrasting seasons (2013 and 2014). The treatments altered neither vine physiology (leaf photosynthetic activity and stomatal conductance, stem water potential) nor vine phenology, yield, budburst and fruitfulness. Defoliations imposed at post-veraison (DEF I) and pre-harvest (DEF II), but not shoot positioning imposed at post-veraison, enhanced the concentration of berry skin flavonols at harvest, compared to an untreated control. Late defoliations and SB did not change berry weight, anthocyanins, soluble solids, pH or titratable acidity at harvest. The severity of Botrytis bunch rot was assessed in both seasons. In 2013, it was negligible regardless of the treatment. In 2014 (characterised by higher rainfall and lower average temperatures than in 2013), late defoliations (DEF I and DEF II), especially DEF I, and SB to a minor extent, limited the severity of Botrytis bunch rot. The oenological benefits of late defoliations and shoot positioning were observed during wine storage. These canopy management practices positively influenced wine components (polymeric pigments; namely short polymeric pigments) that might have a marked effect on the final colour intensity, without altering the basic chemical characteristics of the wine. When choosing the timing for carrying out defoliation in order to improve grape quality and bunch rot containment, the meteorological conditions should be properly considered. Our results may contribute to providing further recommendations for canopy management for grape growers who produce organic Sangiovese wines that undergo aging.