Study on the sustainability of wine production of Tannat and Albariño under two contrasting regions

Sustainable viticulture in the face of climate change requires addressing a twofold challenge: adapting to an increasingly warmer and more variable climate while simultaneously mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Following a comprehensive review of the current state of sustainability in South America and the identification of its strengths and weaknesses, this research proposes a comprehensive interdisciplinary approach. The objective is to contribute to the sustainable development of Uruguayan viticulture in the face of climate change by integrating climatology, geography, plant physiology, chemistry, and environmental assessment to generate diagnostics and applied solutions. The adaptation component evaluates the potential of oceanic terroirs in the face of global warming and heat waves, a vital strategy given the limited capacity to relocate vineyards in Uruguay. Considering the Atlantic Ocean as a key thermal moderating agent, a multiscale bioclimatic characterization was developed that integrates weather stations, field sensors, and the interannual variability associated with the ENSO phenomenon. This approach allowed for a comparison between an emerging oceanic region and the traditional region, describing how topography, exposure, and canopy influence the final cluster temperature. Based on this climatic framework, the physiological, agronomic, metabolic, and oenological responses of two varieties of great national interest, Tannat and Albariño, were evaluated. The study was conducted at sites of similar latitude but with contrasting oceanic exposure. The analysis under opposing ENSO phases allowed for the evaluation of varietal sensitivity and site-year interaction, highlighting the 2023 cycle, which recorded the warmest ripening period in the last 32 years. The mitigation component introduced, for the first time at the national level, the systematic calculation of the vineyard’s carbon footprint. Using Life Cycle Analysis, CO₂ equivalent emissions were quantified, disaggregated by agronomic practices (machinery, fertilization, plant health, and soil management), comparing harvests to identify critical operational points. Overall, the thesis provides fundamental applied evidence to guide production, academic, and public policy decisions, strengthening environmental certification to advance toward competitive and resilient viticultural models capable of facing future climate challenges.