Analysis of Verdicchio harvest data in Matelica appellation area during the 1989-2016 time series

The knowledge of the climatological trend of an area and its influences on grapevine growth is a helpful tool for the prediction of the ripening process: climate change effects on viticulture can be thus studied. In a first step, the climate of the Matelica area, central Italy, was characterized, then Verdicchio grapevines harvest data and its connection with seasonal trends have been evaluated for a period of almost thirty years. This study allowed us to find a connection between mean harvest date and heat summation from March to June, while berry sugar accumulation proved to be more influenced by the heat summation of June-August period. These relations can represent a useful tool for wineries and vine-growers to monitor the ripening process and prediction of harvest, helping in their management.