#vineyards

Pilot projects in Germany & France show that the combination of solar panels and vineyards are both a solution to generate more renewable energy and make good wine! Great news for the sometimes brought up conflict of agriculture VS solar power generation.

How it works:

Panels mounted high to leave room for vines + machinery

Semi-transparent, with a tracking system to follow the sun

Rotate to let in more light on cloudy days

Insulate ground by ~2°C—protects against late frosts AND heatwaves

The benefits:

higher yields:

Chardonnay: +61% 

Marselan: +31%

Grenache Blanc: +18%

better quality:

1% lower alcohol (with better acidity balance)

Fruitier taste profile

preserving the typical taste of German Riesling

harvesting at optimal maturity

Bonus perks:

60% less irrigation water needed

15% reduction in vine death

Even though the focus on top crop quality reduces the yield from solar panels you get better wine and power for several hundred homes. And if electrification of agricultural machinery progress it could even lower the carbon emission on growing the wine!

Irouleguy, vignobles du Pays Basque, Pyrénées Atlantiques (France)

Dany ERDOCIO

Le vignoble d' Irouléguy est situé autour de Saint-Etienne- De -Baïgorry et Saint Jean-Pied-De-Port. Il s'agit de l'un des plus petits vignobles de France, le seul du Pays basque nord. Il est classé AOC depuis 1970. (Wikipédia)

😂 this is a funny video from wine.gini, who runs an Instagram account dedicated to wine. She was visiting the vineyards and wineries of the Empordà (area in the Costa Brava: the north coast of Catalonia) and kept finding an old friend... the Tramuntana.

Tramuntana is the northern wind, which is felt strongly in the Costa Brava but particularly in the Empordà. "Tramuntana" means "between the mountains", because it reaches us through the Massif Central in France and then the Pyrenee mountains in the North of Catalonia. Thus, it's a cold wind.

Interestingly, Gini's caption of this video also mentions why this wind is important for the local vineyards:

Natural protection: the Tramuntana keeps pests and diseases at bay, promoting healthier vines.

Temperature control: it regulates temperatures, preventing stress and ensuring gradual ripening.

Flavour intensity: its cool, dry influence enhances aromas and flavour complexity.