Coteaux du Layon
Location & characteristics
The demonstration site located in Coteaux du Layon covers an area of 500 hectares, spread over the municipality of Beaulieu sur Layon, Rochefort sur Layon and St Lambert du Lattay, in the appellation Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru, Coteaux du Layon Premier Cru Chaume and Coteaux du Layon-Villages. The production of botrytised wine, from the grape variety Chenin, is encouraged by an environment that supports grape over-ripening. The geo-pedological and topographic diversity, at the terroir scale, makes it a privileged area to study the adaptation of viticulture to climate change in the framework of the European project LIFE-ADVICLIM.
In this region, 4 weather stations, 3 pluviometres and 20 temperature sensors are located according to altitude, slope, aspect, distance from the Layon river and the type of soil. The development of the vine and of the grape maturation are followed and analysed.
The aim of this research is to understand the local variability in climate and the vine physiology in order to anticipate the consequences of climate change on berry quality. In this way, it will be possible to identify the vinegrowing practices to implement (vine training, soil maintenance, choice of the rootstock and the type of soil,…), individually and/or collectively, for the viticulture to adapt progressively to the evolution of the climate.
Demonstration site managers
Gérard Barbeau
Etienne Neethling
Notice board of Coteaux du Layon
