Term (canopy management, also leaf canopy or leaf canopy management) for a special cultivation method for vines based on strictly scientific principles. The Australian Dr Richard E. Smart is regarded as a globally recognised specialist. The name is derived from the fact that many of the measures in the vineyard are related to the foliage of the vines or foliage management. The foliage plays a decisive role in photosynthesis. Canopy management takes into account the climatic and site conditions of an individual vine, which can vary greatly in a vineyard, even on relatively small vineyards. These include, for example, solar radiation, wind currents and the proximity of a forest or body of water.
Other factors influencing growth and yield are the vine training, pruning, irrigation with, if necessary, the targeted supply of water only to certain parts of the root system, as well as the type of defoliation by thinning out shoots or foliage to increase the amount of sunlight reaching the grapes.
A common application is cordon pruning with trellis training. The aim is to achieve the most even fruit yield possible from the entire vine. Optimised canopy management has a positive influence on the quality of the grapes, also has a preventative effect against vine diseases and makes vineyard care easier. Various problems such as uneven ripening, sunburn and frost damage can be largely avoided.
Further information
For the production of alcoholic beverages, see Champagne (sparkling wines), distillation (distillates), speciality wines, spirits (types), winemaking (wines and wine types) and wine law (wine law issues). All work and tools in the vineyard during the vegetation cycle are listed under vineyard care.
Pictures: By fir0002, Own Work, GFDL 1.2, Link 1 and Link 2
edited by Norbert F. J. Tischelmayer - June 2019
