Introduction to British grape growing
Number of British wines awarded one of the top four awards at the annual Decanter World Wine Awards. Source: http://awards.decanter.com/DWWA/
Viticulture, the growing of grapevines, is an expanding market within UK crop production. There are over 700 vineyards in the British Isles ranging in size greatly from small plots to large more well-known wine producers such as Bolney Estate, Denbies, Chapel Down, Nyetimber, and Ridgeview. The previously perceived challenge of growing grapes in our cold climate has been overcome with the use of varieties more suited to our conditions, locally developed knowledge on crop management and a warming climate. Varieties grown include the well-known Chardonnay and Pinot noir, but also less well-known Bacchus and Seyval which are better suited to the cooler British climate. British grapevine growing and wine production is now feeding a growing domestic market wanting to consume local produce as well as gaining international recognition as high quality produce.
The growing international reputation of British viticulture
Number of British wines awarded one of the top four awards at the annual International Wine Challenge. Source: https://www.internationalwinechallenge.com/
The growing wine market is supported by Wines of Great Britain (WineGB) who represent wine producers and vineyards. In recent years British wine, especially sparking whites, have been gaining international recognition for their high quality. With the number of awards given to British wines increasing, in 2017 the Decanter World Wine Awards named the Winbirri Vineyards’ Bacchus 2015 as the world’s best white wine beating over 17,000 other entered wines.
A further sign of the quality of wine bring produced and the wine industries desire to publicize and protect itself is from Camel Valley applying for and being granted Protected Designation Origin (PDO) in relation to its 100% Bacchus wine produced from its ‘Darnibole’ vineyard. Other PDO applications are ongoing and being considered along with Protected Geographical Indications (PGI) aimed at protecting the identity of British produced wines.
Pests and diseases of UK grapevine growing
Whilst it could be argued that the cooler climate of the UK means British grapevines are at risk from fewer diseases, and certainly fewer pest insects, than warmer grapevine growing climates they still require constant management by growers. Whilst diseases such as Botrytis cinerea may be considered the most important pest or disease there are an increasing number of pest insects. As well as their direct damage, some of the pest insect species increase the risk of Botrytis to the grapes by their damage acting as disease entry points.
Whilst there are a number of chemical insecticides approved for use on vines, growing grapevines is heavily reliant on Extensions of Authorisations for Minor Uses (EAMUs).
Andermatt UK offer a range of tools for grapevine growing to help monitor and manage key pests and diseases, from SWD traps ( Drosal Pro and Droso Trap ) and liquid attractant ( DrosaLure ) to pheromone traps for grape berry moth (Lobesia botrana) and grape vine moth (Eupoecilia ambiguella). Monitoring for these pests is important, especially for new or sporadic pests which may not have been a problem in the past but pose a significant risk to the crop production. Damage to the developing berries from any of these pest insects, whilst causing direct damage and loss of quality, also increases the risk of Botrytis cinerea and sour rot diseases to infect grape bunches. The trap products offered by Andermatt are suitable for use on any vineyard, including organic and biodymanic growing systems.
Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) on grapevine
Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD, Drosophila suzukii) is a non-native invasive pest fly first recorded in the UK in 2012. Since its first trapping in Kent, it has spread across Kent, Sussex, Hampshire and Surrey in the south of England, the major area for UK grape growing. A significant risk to numerous fruit crops including berries such as grapes, SWD differs from other fruit flies because it is able to lay its eggs in green unripe berries.
Regular monitoring for the presence and level of activity of SWD should be carried out through the growing period of the grapes:
- Predict the risk to their crop
- Determine if and when further action is needed
- Decide if controls made have been effective
It has also been shown that SWD can increase the spread of Acetobacter spp. bacteria, which can cause problems during the wine production process affecting the quality of the wine.
As has been shown in other crops, there is no single solution to control this pest and a combined approach including monitoring, cultural techniques, vineyard management and treatments are the only way to manage the risk to the grape crop from this insect pest. Drosal Pro and Droso Trap refillable SWD traps and DrosaLure SWD liquid attractant are key components of any SWD monitoring and control strategy.
Grapevine moth (Eupoecilia ambiguella) on grapevine
A common pest species in continental Europe however, in the cooler UK it is quite a scarce species. Grapevine moth (Eupoecilia ambiguella) occurs locally in the south east of England and south Wales. Pheromone monitoring traps should be used to catch adults when they are flying from May to September. Caterpillars feed on flower buds and developing grapes. As well as direct feeding damage to grapes wounds caused by feeding are entry points for disease such as Botrytis cinereal. This pest of grapevine is able to survive and reproduce on wild berry producing host plants.
For more information on best practice for using pheromone traps to monitor for pest insects click here.
Grape berry moth (Lobesia botrana) on grapevine
A significant pest species in southern Europe. It is however, an immigrant to the UK and therefore most at risk areas are southern England to where it may be blown from the continent. Because this is an immigrant and not reproducing in the UK, adult activity is more dependent on weather than time of year. Most likely time for adult activity and highest risk period to the grape crop is July and August when pest populations in southern Europe are at their highest. Caterpillars feed on flower buds and developing grapes. As well as direct feeding damage to grapes wounds caused by feeding are entry points for disease such as Botrytis cinereal.
For more information on best practice for using pheromone traps to monitor for pest insects click here.