Journal Article

Non-English title

Cantillana Reyes, Juan Carlos, Frau, Carlos Mena, Rojas, Yony Ormazabal

2016

Overview

Geographic information systems (GIS) analysis tools are used to compare the distribution of vineyards of the Cabernet Sauvignon and Pais varietals in the interior drylands of the San Javier and Cauquenes counties, Maule Region, Chile. These grape varieties present a clear dichotomy. While the Pais vine has experienced a dramatic decline in acreage, Cabernet Sauvignon has registered an explosive growth over the past three decades. In terms of production management, both varieties represent opposites of the wine industry in Chile, tradition vs modernization. Land conditions where these vineyards are cultivated were characterized considering physical parameters such as climate, soil type and landscape, plus others related to human factors such as the existence of markets, inputs suppliers, technical assistance and, accessibility conditions. Geographical areas with a varying degree of fitness for wine-growing crops was delimited according to the weighted parameters and processed by GIS. Thereafter, the spatial distribution of both varietals in these sites was compared using Fragstats software to determinate parameters such as the number of patches, density, and connectance between them. Results show the tendency of the Pais vine to be located in sectors with medium or low suitability for wine-growing crops, responding more to a cultural trend than to technical decisions for their plantation; unlike Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards that tend to concentrate in sectors with the greatest aptitude.

• Subject: Vitaceae