Microclimate Influence on the Morphology of Grape Berry at Maturity and on the Quality of the Berries during the Postharvest Dehydration Process

Light intensity and temperature, whose distribution in the vineyard is influenced by the characteristics of the canopy and vineyard architecture, strongly affect grape berry growth and quality. During the years 2007 and 2008 sun-exposed and shaded bunches of the cultivars 'Trebbiano toscano' and 'Rossetto' ('Trebbiano giallo') grown in Latium region (centre of Italy) were selected after berry set with the aim to evaluate the influence of the bunch position in the canopy on morphological characteristics of the grape berry at maturity and on the quality of the berries during post-harvest dehydration process. The environmental parameters in the vineyard were detected and PAR (Photosynthetic Active Radiation) and temperature of the berry skin were measured during ripening. The results showed differences on morphological characteristics and on qualitative parameters of shaded and sun-exposed samples.