Anticipating the potential impact of global warming on our terroirs
In Seattle, single malt whisky producer Westland Distillery has welcomed a researcher from the local university into its teams to study which varieties can grow in low environmental impact farming systems, with the aim of preserving exceptional flavours. This initiative adds to the research and development projects carried out by the brand for several years: crop rotation, partnerships with local universities, and research into local barley varieties.
On the Isle of Islay, Bruichladdich Distillery has been replanting traditional barley for over 16 years, using different barley varieties to preserve the terroir. The Botanist gin has launched its foundation to work with islanders to improve both their understanding and local botanical diversity. The targets for 2028 are to maintain and develop supplies that perpetuate the Isle of Islay's biodiversity and the development of organic farming in Scotland.
In Cognac, Rémy Martin has carried out extensive mapping work to list all the plots across its estates and assess their diversity. This work allows the brand to leverage new technologies to gain more detailed knowledge of its terroir: climate data, pest pressure, biomass, soil resistivity, etc.
Last year, the House carried out the first harvest of its new plots of grape varieties that are more resistant to vine diseases in Saint-Preuil. This was the result of 20 years of collective research in partnership with the French National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRAE), the French Wine and Vine Institute (IFV), and players in the Cognac sector. Planted in 2018 with three varieties resistant to mildew and powdery mildew, the plots have proven to be highly resistant to these vine diseases and are expected to reduce the use of plant protection products by 80 to 90%. This research project aims to find alternative solutions by helping to continuously adapt grape varieties to climate change.
Building on this momentum, the Rémy Martin teams explored more than 300 hectares of vineyards with different winegrowers, a Chamber of Agriculture, and players in the agricultural distribution sector to identify the grape varieties affected by flavescence dorée and uproot the infected vines. Ultimately, this approach will promote the use of fewer insecticides.
A showcase of quality, environmental action and experimentation, the Rémy Martin Estates enable the brand to try out alternative solutions on a larger scale and to equip winegrowers with the tools to improve their environmental practices.
The Rémy Martin Estates: an open-air laboratory with the BEE project
In Juillac-le-Coq, the Rémy Martin Estates have been participating since 2018 in the national research plan to reduce the use of plant protection products. A pioneering experimental platform in the region has been provided to the Biocontrol and Ecosystem Balance (BEE) project. Managed alongside the IFV, the platform is intended to develop an agro-ecological approach by testing farming systems that limit the use of plant protection products through the introduction of biocontrol products with a view to cutting the Treatment Frequency Index (TFI) by 75%. The work is carried out with no impact on grape yield or the quality of eaux-de-vie produced in Grande Champagne. The first results are encouraging, and the study will continue until 2023 in order to study the vine’s behaviour more broadly over different years in response to this new farming method.
