From the perspective of adapting vineyards to climate change, the way in which the vine is managed and pruning is a key point, in particular by adopting practices adopted in warmer regions. The goblet pruning was thus traditionally widespread in the Mediterranean basin to allow the vines to cope with dry periods.
Goblet pruning is a short pruning, inherited from the Romans, widely used in Languedoc until the 1970s, then gradually abandoned because it is not compatible with the mechanization of the harvest. The goblet size gives the stump an "inverted cone" appearance, with many variations (number of arms, opening angle, branching) (1).
The goblet arrangement has several positive effects on the physiology of the vine and the characteristics of the grape:
But the cup also brings new constraints:
Overall, the Mediterranean goblet pruning is a drought-resistant and berry-protected driving system, but which suffers from the lack of a mechanized harvesting solution to date. Economically, depending on the wines and the terroirs, the loss in yield can be significant: the cost of production can increase due to an increased need for labor and the drop in production. The mechanization of pruning and harvesting (not yet fully developed) could, in the medium term, make it possible to extend the areas used in goblets, in particular as a model for extensive viticulture (3).
Author: Marc Nougier (Sup Agro)
References:
(1) https://dico-du-vin.com/gobelet-taille-en/
(2) https://www.rue89lyon.fr/2018/10/28/face-au-dereglement-climatique-options-ethiques-vignerons-sud-france/
(3) http://www.vignevin-occitanie.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/ppt-van-leeuwen.pdf
(4) https://www.domainegassier.com/fr/2014/01/20/un-gobelet-pour-la-taille/
(5) https://blog.midi-vin.com/techniques-viticoles/taille-de-la-vigne-pour-repartir-du-bon-pied-001731