In 2008, the Syndicate has created a network for monitoring diseases based on 10 weather stations spread over the AOC.

Transcription

1 «Biodiversity and Sustainable Viticulture: the winemakers do not relax their efforts» Since 2004, AOC Saumur-Champigny has embarked on a biodiversity development program in its entire territory. The principle is to develop alternative control techniques against insects. This is part of a broader agenda of sustainable viticulture, the objective of which is to optimize the natural biological balance within the vineyard by harnessing the potential of culture and landscape auxiliaries in regulating pests among the vines. The winemakers of the appellation have implemented Ecological Zone Tanks which promote the diffusion of biodiversity from the natural resources to the plots of vines. In 2008, the Syndicate has created a network for monitoring diseases based on 10 weather stations spread over the AOC. 1

2 BIODIVERSITY AND LANDSCAPE PROJECT IN SAUMUR-CHAMPIGNY: BIODIVERSITY SETTLED IN THE HEART OF VINES PESTS: THE TRAPPING DEVICE Since 2005, thirty plots have been equipped with traps allowing the monitoring of the following four pest populations during the entire season: - Eudemis (Lobesia botrana) - Eupoecilia ambiguella (Empoecilia ambiguella) - Green Leafhopper (Empoasca vitis) - Golden Leafhopper (Scaphoideus titanus). Each year, the information collected from the traps is transmitted in the form of newsletters to the winemakers in order to enable them to know the actual pressure and the beginning of the flights. Thus they can adapt control, if necessary. The aim is to give more prominence to the culture auxiliaries and to intervene only in cases of extreme necessity as a boost to nature, while taking care to use products which are environmentally friendly. Cochylis Eudemis BIODIVERSITY, AN ALTERNATIVE WAY TO FIGHT AGAINST PESTS? Like Anagrus atomus, a culture auxiliary which feeds on the larvae of the green leafhopper, biodiversity contains many useful species which can help naturally control pests among the vine. Being either predators or parasites of these pests, culture auxiliaries are indeed numerous and well settled in the environment of the vineyard planted in the appellation of Saumur-Champigny, composed of woods and groves. By diversifying the flora within the vineyard, the Syndicate works to increase the efficiency of natural balance and developing a more sustainable agriculture. 2

3 WHAT TYPE OF BIODIVERSITY IN THE VINES? In 2009, the first inventory of vine plots flora showed a large variability in the vegetal cover of the inter-rows. Some plots have low floristic diversity while others have over 50 different species. Meanwhile, an inventory of arthropod diversity (group consisting of insects, spiders and other terrestrial crustaceans) has been initiated. A system combining two traps has captured (during 12 weeks) flying and crawling insects as well as spiders. The insects collected are then ranked according to their morphology. On the first 8 weeks of trapping more than 500 "morpho-species" were identified among the 55,000 insects trapped. This significant amount of information both floral and insects wise is still being analyzed. The first results should be produced in THE LANDSCAPE, A TOOL FOR REDUCING PEST PRESSURE? The results of the first studies conducted between 2005 and 2007 showed that two of the four pest populations checked on by the AOC have a strong relationship with environmental landscape plots. Thus the Eudemus, a grape worm, feels at home in areas with surrounding vines. The green leafhopper himself is found in wooded plot areas. Can the landscape then reduce the pressure of these two insects? That is the question researchers are asking themselves. That is why the Syndicate, scientists and the Chamber of Agriculture have prepared in close cooperation a development plan for the AOC to test this hypothesis. 3

4 THE WINEMAKERS, THE TERRITORY S FIRST PLAYERS. This broad action required the adhesion and active participation of the wine producers to help change their vineyard s landscape. This winter , we have reached the number of 20 km of hedges planted in the vineyard. By arranging public spaces, several municipalities have joined the ranks of planters as well. THE PARTNERS, A COLLABORATIVE PROJECT LABELLED BY VEGEPOLYS This research and development action is conducted by the Syndicate of Saumur-Champigny Producers in partnership with three research units (UMR Vegetal Health/ ENITA Bordeaux, ESA Angers, Angers Agrocampus West) and the seed growers Nova-Flore specializing in floral techniques. This program also combines the efforts of the Cave de Saumur, Château Langlois, SA Filliatreau and Montreuil-Bellay High School. The Chamber of Agriculture supports the Syndicate within the framework of a partnership agreement. The Regional Natural Park Loire-Anjou-Touraine and the municipalities of the appellations also support the project. The research project labeled Végépolys received financial support from the Pays de la Loire Region and the Saumur Loire Agglomeration Community Development in the context of a special support to the sector dynamic. Plantations are co-financed by the General Council of Maine and Loire and the Pays de la Loire Region. EXPLORE THE VINEYARDS, PLANTATIONS, THE LANDSCAPE OF THE AOC: THE ORGANIZED HIKES IN Following the success of organized hikes in 2009, the Syndicate offers to explore the vineyards, the Loire, the hedges and the biodiversity project through organized walks in the vineyard. On this 7 kilometers program, you will find: talks about the vine and wine, grape varieties, cultivation practices, cover planting, work on biodiversity and the discovery of harmful insects or benefactors, and a path which overlooks the Loire part of the UNESCO s World Heritage - and crosses a troglodyte village. The hike is labelled by the Regional Natural Park Loire-Anjou-Touraine. Dates of the hikes in 2010: July 20th and August 5th, starting at 9:00am in Dampierre sur Loire. 4

5 DISCOVER THE APPELLATION: ALL OF OUR OFFERS. For groups : The Syndicate and the Office of Tourism offer a comprehensive tour to discover the vineyard and Saumur-Champigny. Information in For family or friends : The hike Vine, Wine and Hike in September in partnership with Interloire. The map-guides of the vineyard to discover the different wineries of Saumur-Champigny à la carte. Professionals, journalists, oenophiles : The Syndicate will organize for you a tour of the appellation and a wine tasting of Saumur-Champigny. Feel free to contact us. FOR MORE INFORMATION AND THE WINEMAKERS CONTACTS : Syndicate contact : Marie-Anne SIMONNEAU Mail : m-a.simonneau@saumur.com Tel : Press contact : Patrick ROBERT Mail : patrick@ignis.fr Tel : BIODIVERSITY PARTNERS 5

6 DISEASES OF THE VINE: A NETWORK OF WEATHER STATIONS IN SERVICE OF SUSTAINABLE VITICULTURE 10 WEATHER STATIONS ON THE AOC, AN UNMATCHED PRECISION. Since October 2008, the AOC has ten weather stations spread throughout the vineyard. Five of them belong to the Syndicate. Through privileged partnerships, the Syndicate gets to collect the data from the five other stations owned by two local distributors, the GDDV and the INRA. This network of stations is accompanied by untreated indicators. The objective of the Syndicate is to: - Draw a zoning of the appellation putting forward pressure diseases including Downy Mildew in connection with climatic variations, - Define factors of susceptibility to diseases, - Accompany the wine to a treatment reduction through a controlled and rational management of disease. NEWSLETTERS FOR ALL THE PRODUCERS OF THE AOC Located at an intermediate scale between the Agricultural Warnings and plot advice, the network provides weekly information on the theoretical pressure provided by models, the effective pressure observed on the untreated indicators and the decision ruled to implement the adequate protection. Whatever the mode of production (rational, integrated or organic), this information allows each winemaker to better manage the pest pressure and thus achieve the annual minimum of interventions. THE SUPPORT OF CRÉDIT AGRICOLE, THE DÉPARTEMENT AND THE RÉGION: The investment by the Syndicate for the weather stations was supported by Crédit Agricole and the Département of Maine et Loire. The Région, in the framework of the Biodiversity and Landscape project in Saumur-Champigny, is also involved in this effort. Syndicate contact : Marie-Anne SIMONNEAU Mail : m-a.simonneau@saumur.com Tel :

7 THE SAUMUR CHAMPIGNY ''MOMENTS'' OF 2011 DISCOVER THE SAUMUR CHAMPIGNY MOMENTS ON OUR NEW WEBSITE THE SAUMUR CHAMPIGNY GRANDES TABLEES : AUGUST 3RD AND 4TH, 2011 IN SAUMUR Created in 2001, the Grande Tablées, have become an unmissable event for the people of Saumur as well as for all the tourists. The reservations of the 6000 meal are usually completely full 15 days before the date of the event meals, to which should be added from 3000 to 5000 people, according to sources, who come to chill around and enjoy the Saumur Champigny. All this thanks to a glass, the ultimate ''door opener'' which can directly be bought on the spot to enjoy the Saumur Champigny wine at discretion. THE ''FOULEES DU CHAMPIGNY'' : SEPTEMBER 11TH, 2011 The 10 th edition will propose on Sunday, September 11 t,h a new kind of circuit racing 35 km with an elevation gain of about 400m, in addition to two traditional distances of 8 and 17 km, which are maintained. DISCOVER THE APPELLATION AS A GROUP "In the presence of a guide who has been accredited by the Syndicat, discover the most beautiful sites of the appellation and discover the origins, History and heritage of the Loire, its caves and its landscape. The cultivation of the vine is explained to you during these two hours visit of the vineyard. The tour ends with the discovery of an estate and a tasting. " These visits are intended for groups which come directly with their own bus. This tour is offered by the Syndicat which takes care of logistics, hiring a guide and selecting a winemaker (among the thirty volunteering winemakers) who will receive the group. Rates : 6 per person for groups over 25 people. For groups below 25 people, fixed rate of 150 for the entire group. HIKES July 18 th and August 3rd, 2011 The Syndicat offers to explore the vines, the Loire River, the hedgerows and biodiversity program through organized walks in the vineyard. On the agenda of the 7 km route : talks about the vine and wine, grape varietals, cultural practices, mechanical weeding, the work on biodiversity and the discovery of harmful insects or benefactors. This hike overlooks the Loire (a UNESCO World Heritage) and crosses a troglodyte village. It has been labeled by the Natural Regional Park of the Loire-Anjou-Touraine organization. Starting at 9:00AM in Dampierre sur Loire. September 3rd, 2011 The hike called "Vines, Wines and Hikes" in partnership with INTERLOIRE ( Departure : 3:30PM from the church of Varrains. Distance: 9.5 km (subject to confirmation). DISCOVER THE APPELLATION ''A LA CARTE'' With the map-guide available in bookstores and among our partners, discover 20 remarkable sites of the appellation. An audio CD will explain the History of the appellation, its terroir and climate characteristics, its heritage and landscape. Price : 5. Interactive map also available on the website. 7