Impact of Training System and Vine Spacing on Vine Performance, Berry Composition, and Wine Sensory Attributes of Seyval and Chancellor

Abstract

Own-rooted Seyval and Chancellor vines were subjected over a four-year period to five training treatments (Geneva Double Curtain, GDC; Hudson River Umbrella, HRU; 6-arm Kniffin, 6AK; midwire cordon, MWC; and Y-trellis, YT) and three vine spacings (1.4, 1.8, and 2.4 m). Divided canopies led to weights of cane prunings (vine size) and mean cane weights that were optimal (0.32 to 0.65 kg/m canopy; 15.4 to 34.5 g/cane) for Chancellor but below optimum (0.19 to 0.27 kg/m canopy; 9.4 to 13.9 g/cane) for Seyval. Yields were consistently highest for divided canopies as well as 6-AK. Crop loads (ratio of yield:weight of cane prunings) of divided canopies exceeded the presently accepted level (10 to 12) beyond which wine quality could be compromised, but berry, must, and wine composition (Brix, titratable acidity, and pH) were not strongly impacted by training system. Increased vine spacing led to smaller vine size (per m row), lower cane weights and yield (Seyval only), and occasionally reduced Brix. GDC wines produced from Seyval were characterized by highest melon flavor, lowest earthy and vegetative flavors, and lowest astringency. Chancellor GDC wines had highest berry flavor. These data strongly suggest that high wine quality may be obtained from divided canopies despite large crop size and high crop loads.