PIWI Portugal
PIWI International has kindly invited me to represent them in Portugal to help inform wine growers and winemakers here about PIWI grape varieties, with the aim to increase confidence leading to planting and producing portuguese wines made from these vines.
In addition Portugal has one of the largest numbers of native varieties and research into breeding PIWI vines using these Autoctone varieties as part of a successful PIWI variety would be very important not only for Portugal.
I am an engineer by training having worked in heavy industry, but moving to film and television in the 70s as a sound engineer and later developing products for this industry in my company in Munich.
I and my wife Helga moved to Portugal and started an organic winery in 2001 called Vinhos Cortém. We were certified organic in 2010 and with 4.5 Ha. of vines and 16 different international and portuguese grape varieties, made organic wine until 2019 when we sold the winery. But we are continuing making wine on a small scale with about 2 Ha. In this way, we can continue our passion making wine in our terroir and remain in the wine community here. We welcome all Piwistas to visit us if they are in Portugal!
See details on www.wineeccentrics.com
ChristopherPrice
Rua João Alves 37-39
Cortem
2500-741 VIDAIS
Telemove: +351 912288586
E-mail: c.price@gmx.de
Internet: www.wineeccentrics.com

Latest News
Further training "Robust grape varieties - wines of the future" on 22.8.2024
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Discover the world of wine in a whole new way!
This training is intended for anyone interested in viticulture, regardless of their knowledge or experience.
Learn about the hardy grape varieties and their advantages such as their resistance to different environmental conditions and diseases.
You will have the opportunity to learn more about the cultivation of these varieties, their characteristics and the resulting wines.
You will also have the opportunity to ask questions and expand your knowledge of viticulture.
Participants
Wine lovers
Course leader
Wagner-Yannick
date
22.08.2024 16:00 – 18:00
Number of free places: see website
Costs
CHF 50.- per person
Location
still open, information to follow
Registration
Registration deadline: 27 July 2024
Excursion "Robust grape varieties", Freiburg, 14 August 2024
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Robust grape varieties are becoming increasingly important in your operations, whether to simplify certain work steps or to expand your product range.
Join us on a journey of discovery beyond national borders.
We will be intensively involved in research in the areas of vine breeding and oenology. In addition, we want to work with our German colleagues to increase the marketing of these robust varieties.
Participants
Full-time and part-time winemakers
Course leader
Wagner-Yannick
Speakers
Dr. Ramon Mira Heidinger, WBI Freiburg
Fabio Fehrenbach, WBI Freiburg
Dr. Ernst Weinmann, WBI Freiburg
Winemakers from the Freiburg i. Br. area
date
14.08.2024 07:30 – 21:30
Number of free places: see website
Costs
CHF 250.- per person
Location
Surroundings, 79112 Freiburg im Breisgau
Registration
Registration deadline: 12 July 2024
2 PSM treatments are sufficient even in case of high disease pressure in Muscaris and Souvignier gris
«The Grangeneuve organic winery in the Dordogne is managed by the department's Chamber of Agriculture as part of the Dephy network.
In 2018, winemaker and owner Anthony Castaing planted the first resistant grape varieties: Muscaris and Souvignier gris.
In the last two vintages, 2022 and 2023, two copper and sulphur-based treatments were carried out on these vineyards. His overall indicator for the frequency of plant protection treatments is 1.56. "This is a great advance in plant protection and a reduction in workload, even in years with strong downy mildew pressure like 2023," he notes.
On the other hand, "it is no longer possible to go on holiday in the last two weeks of August". In 2022, for example, the Souvignier Gris was harvested on August 24, well ahead of the Sauvignon gris, the reference grape variety in the monitoring carried out by the CA24.
This "marked advancement of the phenological stages begins as soon as bud break occurs," says consultant Camille Delamotte during a webinar on the subject. In 2022 and 2023, Muscaris and Souvignier gris were in the "green point" or "leaf break" stage at the end of March. In 2022, the vines were affected by a spring frost on April 1. "This risk must be taken into account. These varieties are recommended for terroirs with little or no frost."
>>> Read also: "First feedback on the resistant variety Souvignier gris"
Source: www.tema-agriculture-terroirs.fr
First feedback on the resistant variety Souvignier gris
First feedback on the resistant variety Souvignier gris
Its berries are pink, which is not very common among the most widely grown grape varieties in France. However, its greatest peculiarity is that it is resistant to powdery mildew and downy mildew. It has inherited this resistance from one of its relatives, the Bronner (the other is Cabernet Sauvignon). It is called Souvignier gris, one of the resistant varieties currently authorized in France.
The IFV can confirm that the Souvignier gris has at least one resistance gene against powdery mildew: Ren 3.
For Thierry Grimal of the Aude Chamber of Agriculture, who is responsible for the Cazes experimental farm in the Aude department, Souvignier gris is an interesting grape variety for several reasons: its resistance to powdery mildew and downy mildew has been confirmed under the conditions of the estate. "In 2018, a year with high downy mildew pressure, we saw fruiting bodies on the leaves but nothing on the grapes. Unfortunately, we were unable to carry out the observations until the harvest because a hailstorm destroyed almost the entire harvest," regrets Thierry Grimal, who nevertheless advocates maintaining two treatments per year, one against powdery mildew and one against downy mildew, because otherwise the so-called 'secondary' diseases such as black rot or anthracnose could become more important.
"On a scale of susceptibility to powdery mildew from 0 to 100, Chardonnay is 100% susceptible, Merlot 43% and Souvignier 12%," says Nathalie Goma Fortin of the Hérault Chamber of Agriculture, confirming the good resistance of the Souvignier gris to powdery mildew.
Acid supplier for assemblages
Resistance to disease is not the only advantage of the Souvignier gris. Its upright habit makes it easier to bottle. It is vigorous, but no shriveling has yet been observed under the conditions of the Aude department. In practice, it is early, but not too early, as it can be harvested at the same time as the Chardonnay, during the normal operating period of the Razès cooperative winery, which processes part of the estate's grapes into wine.
Another plus point: the wines made from the Souvignier grape have a good aromatic intensity, typical of citrus fruits. The estate has carried out three winemakings with this variety in its experimental cellar. "The wines always came out with quite a marked acidity," says the manager of the Domaine de Cazes. Blending experiments on various scales carried out with the Chamber of Agriculture of the Hérault department showed that up to 15%, the main grape variety was not alienated, while it was refreshed by the acidity of the Souvignier, with a sometimes better finish.
The Institut coopératif du vin (ICV), which also vinified these grapes, reports that the berries are firm and the yield when pressed is not very good.
Even if the berries are pink, no color transfer was observed under the institute's working conditions. Qualities that have not escaped the attention of the winegrowers of Tutiac (Gironde). After three years of trials carried out by the cooperative winery, eleven hectares were planted by eight members. "This grape variety produces very aromatic white wines," says the winery, which hopes to reduce the use of pesticides in this way.
Disappointed with poor drought tolerance
They planted Souvignier.
The experiments carried out by L'Occitane in Servian (Hérault) were less successful. In 2014, the cooperative planted a 1 ha Souvignier gris experimental plot with the support of the departmental council. Since then, the plot has been leased to a young winegrower. The monitoring is carried out by the Chamber of Agriculture and the IFV. "We were a little disappointed with the way the Souvignier gris behaved in the face of drought," says Alain Selponi from the cooperative's viticulture department, who believes that the grape variety is not the most suitable for the local terroir.
Its early maturity requires a harvest in mid-August. In this location, yields did not reach the expected target of 80 hl/ha. "It is true that the variety could not be planted on the desired rootstock and the young plants suffered from drought even at planting. But if we have to plant resistant grape varieties, we will opt for French varieties," he concluded.
Source: First returns of experiences on the resistant gray souvenir variety (tema-agriculture-terroirs.fr)
Spotlight on PIWI varieties by Edy Geiger
Since 2021, when many winegrowers were only able to keep fungal diseases under control with great difficulty, interest in PIWI vines has risen sharply. Especially because of the prospect of financial aid for new plants. PIWI pioneer Edy Geiger presents what he sees as the most promising varieties.
Source: Swiss magazine Obst + Wein April 2023
Cooperation with wein.plus: Benefit as a member of PIWI-International!
There is a cooperation between PIWI International and wein.plus that aims to promote the association and its members on wein.plus. In this webinar, which lasts no more than 10 minutes, Utz Graafmann will show how you as a winery can benefit from this.
Tuesday, February 14, 2023 at 6 p.m. (the webinar will be recorded)
Sell wine successfully with wein.plus for wineries
Find out how you, as a winery, can maximize your wine sales, find stockists across Europe and get support in the sales process. Learn methods to increase the visibility of your winery on wein.plus and increase your sales figures. Use wein.plus to bring additional visitors to your winery or to advertise events.
Language: German
Duration: 20 minutes
First Worldwide Online PIWI SUMMIT
As PIWI representative in Spain, I was delighted to attend this first summit.
I took part with the aim of training myself, because resistant varieties are a new world that is opening up to us and I am convinced that it will represent the viticulture of the future.
I am happy to see this development:
- how the idea of crossing Vitis species with each other to make vines more resistant came about,
- in which countries these new varieties spread the most
- knowing that each new PIWI grape variety requires more than thirty years of research.
Climate change and the Green Deal are so topical and omnipresent that we now have to rethink and take the bull by the horns.
Although Spain's wine legislation does not yet provide for the cultivation of resistant varieties for commercial purposes, it is clear that this must change immediately.
PIWI International is represented and active throughout Europe and the response to these “NEW WINES” is spectacular, especially for their quality and sustainability; a must with regard to environmental protection and health.
With regard to the Green Deal, I was captivated by the lecture by Dr. Wolfgang Häussler, PIWI winemaker and EU advisor.
The F2F strategy (Farm to Fork) and the strategy to promote biodiversity for sustainable food production envisage a reduction in the use of pesticides by 50 % by 2030.
In order to achieve these goals, the following measures are required in the wine sector, among others:
- provide for the use of products and techniques to minimize toxicological and ecological risks,
- to keep the soil organically active and to promote biodiversity
- start the transition from growing traditional grape varieties to growing resistant varieties.
Opinions are divided on one topic: the CRISPR-CAS9 technique, which the EU considers suitable for speeding up the breeding of resistant varieties.
Some organic winegrowers do not find this “natural”, while the proponents consider it acceptable because no genetic modification per se takes place, but only the improvement of the resistant properties is worked out, which otherwise takes years of breeding.
I will not go into any more detail as all the presentations explaining these issues can be found in the members area of the PIWI International website.
The role of PIWI International in terms of communication and lobbying was explained in further presentations: With almost 1000 members in 30 countries, PIWI International is one of the largest international winegrowers' associations.
In order to strengthen the lobbying character of the association and to facilitate the exchange of knowledge between winegrowers, researchers and politicians in the wine sector, a comprehensive internal and external communication strategy has already been initiated.
Another incredible talk was given by Vitalie Popa, the Moldovan inventor of barrels that allow the winemaking and aging process to be completely free of preservatives and additives.
And last but not least, the lecture by Remo Räz from the biodynamic winery LENZ in Switzerland, who reported on their experiences with 12 PIWI red wine varieties and went into vinification and marketing of these PIWIs.
This case clearly showed us that PIWI brings about a drastic reduction in pesticide treatments, eliminates the need for copper and greatly reduces fuel consumption compared to traditional varieties.
The world is changing and it is time to act and bring nature back into our lives.
Together we can do anything.
We therefore invite you to actively participate in our community by sharing information and contributing your knowledge or experience.
Click here for the podcast with Wolfgang Häußler and Diego Weber (German)
Become a member: https://piwi-international.org/der-verein/mitglied-werden/
Karin Lundberg – PIWI Spain in January 2023
PS: Oh yes, I almost forgot to mention that the PIWI SUMMIT will take place quarterly. So make a note of the next date in your agenda: April 17, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.
PIWI is developing into a quality mark - PIWI Wine Challenge 2022
High level at the PIWI International Wine Challenge 2022
Gone are the days when PIWI vines were grown primarily for environmental reasons. There are now many very good wines made from PIWI varieties, as well as numerous internationally committed winegrowers who can draw on a lot of experience with PIWIs both in viticulture and in winemaking and who bottle the best wines, which the PIWI International Wine Challenge 2022 has fully confirmed . Two thirds of the wines received SILVER or GOLD, even TOP GOLD. The high quality was generally confirmed by the visitors at the subsequent public tasting, for which all the wines were presented according to the blind evaluation. The PIWI mark, which PIWI members are allowed to put on the labels of their wines, can be considered something of a quality mark. And so PIWI wines bring environmental protection and enjoying good wines together and can be considered an important future of wine.
Over 180 wines
were employed at this year's PIWI International Wine Challenge, conducted by Dieter Simon, editor-in-chief and publisher of www.bonvinitas.com, took place on October 25th, 2022 in the rooms of the Waldulmer winegrowers' cooperative in Kappelrodeck-Waldulm.
16 testers, including PIWI board members, four employees of the Freiburg State Wine Institute, the German Wine Queen, Katrin Lang, and a Masters of Wine from England, subjected the wines from nine countries to strict blind tests.
countries and categories
In addition to the traditional wine-growing countries such as Italy, France, Germany, Austria and Switzerland, there were also wines from Belgium, Sweden, Poland and the Czech Republic, which did well.
It was tested in five categories:
Category 1: dry to 12% alcohol. Here it was not only about the technical quality criteria, but also about the "drinking fun" that wine lovers look for and can expect from lighter wines. 19 wines received GOLD or SILVER.
Category 2: dry over 12% alcohol. The individuality and terroir notes were also evaluated here. 73 wines received TOP GOLD, GOLD or SILVER.
Category 3: Wines with more than 9 g/l residual sugar: In addition to the general quality criteria, the fruitiness that consumers can expect from such wines was primarily evaluated here. The same applies in particular to Category 4, noble sweet wines. Together they both won 25 TOP GOLD, GOLD or SILVER awards.
Category 5 was a special feature: Orange wines. Out of a total of seven wines, three were awarded TOP GOLD and two were awarded GOLD. Since, with the large number of PIWI varieties, wine lovers buy less according to the variety and more according to whether the wine tastes good, the tests were not strictly about the typicality of the variety, but about whether the wine can be liked.
The best wines
The following were rated as the best in each category:
Category 1, dry to 12 %
94.66 points = GOLD: 2021 Muscaris white wine quality wine from southern Styria, Austria,
with 12 % alcohol and 7.8 g/l residual sugar from the Kollerhof am Eichberg in 8463 Leutschach an der Weinstraße
Category 2, dry over 12 %
97.50 points = TOP GOLD: 2021 Souvignier Gris white wine Quality wine from southern Styria, Austria, 13.8 % alcohol, 3.4 g/l residual sugar from Kollerhof am Eichberg in 8463 Leutschach an der Weinstraße
Category 3, wines with residual sugar over 9 g/l
95 points = GOLD: Muscaris, Sauvignac, Johanniter, Secco white, German sparkling wine, fruity with 14.0 g/l residual sugar and 11.5 % alcohol from the Schmidt organic winery in 79356 Eichstetten am Kaiserstuhl
95 points = GOLD: 2021 Sauvignac white wine quality wine Pfalz off-dry with 10.7 g/l residual sugar and 11.8 % alcohol from the Momm winery in 67435 Neustadt an der Weinstraße, district of Duttweiler
95 points = GOLD: 2021 Muscaris white wine from Lower Silesia/Poland, sweet with 33.4 g/l residual sugar and 11.4 % alcohol from the Winnica Niemczańska winery in 58-230 Niemcza
Category 4, noble sweet wines
98.5 points = TOP GOLD: 2021 Souvignier Gris Eiswein white, Heppenheimer Stemmler, Hessian Bergstrasse, quality wine with a predicate with 201.3 g/l residual sugar and 6.45 % alcohol from the Bergstrasse winegrowers in 64646 Heppenheim
Category 5, orange wines
98 points = TOP GOLD: Muscaris natural wine - orange country wine dry with 5 g/l residual sugar and
16 % alcohol matured in barriques from the ecological winery Rabenhof in 79361 Sasbach-Jechtingen/Baden
98 points = TOP GOLD: 2020 Solaris and Muscaris natural wine - orange country wine dry with 0.6 g/l residual sugar and 15.1 % alcohol from the Rabenhof organic winery in 79361 Sasbach-Jechtingen
The sorts
A total of 185 wines were submitted, mainly white wines, but also 41 red wines, as well as rosé and sparkling wines, as well as seven orange wines. The varieties were in the foreground: Souvignier Gris, Cabernet Blanc, Johanniter as well as Muscaris and Solaris, with the red wines Divico from Switzerland and Cabernet Cortis.
The wine queen took part in the PIWI International Wine Challenge 2022 as an examiner. bonvinitas: Ms. Lang, have you already had a lot to do with PIWI wines? The Wine Queen: I learned at the state winery in Freiburg, where PIWI varieties are grown. I also came into contact with new breeds in the associated State Viticulture Institute. Now I work at the Zähringer winery in Müllheim/Baden, which is heavily involved in PIWI varieties. The winery has, for example, Johanniter, Souvignier Gris, Cabernet Blanc, Cabernet Cortis and Regent in cultivation. bonvinitas: How important do you think PIWI varieties are? The Wine Queen: It will be a solution in the face of challenges such as climate change and tightening regulations. Of course, PIWI varieties also need some pest control, but significantly less than our conventional vines. About three sprayings in the rhythm of growth are usually sufficient. In this way, viticulture can be preserved, for example, in the steep slopes. Because it's going to get harder. bonvinitas: How do you see PIWI wines in relation to consumers? The Wine Queen: Something must be done. We need to reduce pest control, not least because of consumers' increasing environmental awareness. bonvinitas: Do you think more winemakers will open up to PIWI varieties? The Wine Queen: The vintners know, for example, how to look after their Pinot Blanc in the vineyard and develop it in the cellar. Some PIWI varieties still have to find their style. But the winemakers are ready. We have enough PIWI varieties that work well in viticulture and whose wines are well received by consumers. The PIWI varieties have a lot of potential. It is important to exploit this, and in doing so we are also doing something good for the environment. We need to communicate that more. bonvinitas: Ms. Lang, thank you for this statement |
Text: Dieter Simon, editor-in-chief and publisher www.bonvinitas.com. Photos: German Wine Queen: German Wine Institute; Photo. Rabenhof: PR; other photos bonvinitas
Divico wines blended with Pinot noir - good quality and intense colour
Divico, Agroscope's new disease-resistant grape variety, is valued for the quality of the wines made from it. Assemblage trials with the Pinot noir variety have shown that Divico is suitable for correcting color intensity.
With an area of almost 3900 ha in 2020, Pinot noir is the most commonly cultivated variety in Switzerland. It is widespread in all wine-growing regions north of the Alps. The good reputation is based on the fine and typical bouquet of its wines, which is characterized by fruity notes and a good structure as well as very delicate and velvety tannins. Visually, the color intensity is sometimes judged to be a bit weak. Dyer grapes such as Dakapo and Dunkelfelder are therefore cultivated in Switzerland, and their wines are used in low-percentage blends to improve the color of Pinot noir. With the first red grape variety developed by Agroscope and approved in 2013, which is resistant to downy mildew and powdery mildew as well as gray mold, another variety is available that is suitable for this purpose.