Name Case Study Site: CSS3 – Bordeaux (France)
Responsible partner: Université de Bordeaux/Bordeaux University. Case Study Site leader: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

Geographical description:
The case study is located in Southwestern France, near the Atlantic Coast, in the Nouvelle Aquitaine Region (Figure 1).  The largest region in France (84,061 km2, i.e. 1/8th of the national territory), Nouvelle Aquitaine includes twelve French departments, and has about 6 million inhabitants. Nouvelle Aquitaine has a vast wine-growing area, crucial in the regional economy, which has shaped the territory, the landscapes and the culture. The largest city, Bordeaux, is at the heart of an agglomeration of nearly 905,000 inhabitants. Nouvelle-Aquitaine enjoys an oceanic climate, with average temperatures of 12°C in the colder months and 27°C in the heart of summer. Westerly winds are the most frequent. Sometimes violent, they bring rain (annual precipitation~ 800 mm, especially in November, December and January). The amount of sunshine is significant, around 2,000 hours per year, comparable to some Mediterranean regions. Latitude: 44° 48’ 53.2” N Longitude: 0°39’18.4” W

 

 France picture 1

 

Main farming systems:
In New Aquitaine, the total agricultural area is 4.2 million hectares and the forest covers 2.8 million hectares (Forêt des Landes de Gascogne, 1st French forest). At the regional level, plant production represents 69% of agriculture (vs. 31% for animal production). Nouvelle Aquitaine has two wine-growing basins around Bordeaux and Cognac. With 16% of farms having a wine-growing orientation, products from the vine represent ¼ of agricultural production in Nouvelle-Aquitaine. 90% of production is under Protected Designation of Origin. In addition to wines, viticulture also highlights the production of eaux-de-vie, including Cognac. Around 7% of vineyards is grown organically, with significant variations depending on the territory.

 France picture 2

 

Ongoing research and innovation actions:
Many teams (from the University of Bordeaux and other partner organizations) have developed projects on wine-growing, combining disciplines as diverse as public health, agronomy, oenology, ecology, toxicology, chemistry... The EPICENE team (INSERM U1219), involved in SPRINT, has been carrying out research for more than 20 years on the health of farmers and has developed specific programs on exposure to pesticides in agriculture (PESTEXPO, PESTIMAT).

Led by the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region since 2018, the Vitirev program, aims to support the agricultural transition in viticulture. This collective approach brings together many regional vineyards and more than 130 partners around an objective of developing environmentally friendly practices "while remaining by 2030 a dynamic and attractive wine-growing land for its inhabitants, companies and their employees, as well as for tourists attracted to this destination ". Vitirev partners include industry professionals, local authorities and local associations, as well as innovation and research players from Nouvelle-Aquitaine, including 14 regional innovation laboratories.

 

Relevant stakeholders in the area:

  • Winegrowers
  • Regional Council
  • Regional and Departmental Chambers of Agriculture
  • Regional Directorate for Food, Agriculture and Forestry
  • French Institute of Vine and Wine
  • Interprofessional Council for Bordeaux Wines
  • Inno'VIN
  • Bordeaux Science Agro
  • Institute of Vine and Wine Sciences (ISVV) of the University of Bordeaux
  • Patient and environmental associations