THE INFLUENCE OF VITICULTURAL PRACTICES ON THE BERRY COMPOSITION OF MERLOT VARIETY GROWN IN THE WEST OF ROMANIA CLIMATE

Recent climatic conditions have favoured the expansion of red varieties in previously unsuitable areas for high-quality winemaking. The high degree of temperature variability during the growing season makes it challenging for berries to fully ripen in time for harvest. The objective of this research was to improve the berry quality and sensory characteristics of the Merlot variety in the Recas vineyards area by implementing various viticultural practices. The timing and intensity of leaf removal and cluster thinning were examined in experiments carried out in 2020 and 2021. The cluster thinning had a minimal effect on basic berry chemistry at harvest in 2020 but increased pruning weight and cluster weight. Vine vigour and essential berry chemistry were not strongly influenced by clusters thinning in 2021. The level of titratable acidity was lower after leaf removal, but other essential quality indicators remained unchanged. Viticultural practises not only increased the berry quality but also the anthocyanin content of berries.