Christian Paly, president of National Committee for Designations of Origin for Wines, Alcoholic Beverages, and Spirits of the INAO, opened the day by highlighting the current challenges posed by climate and societal changes to viticulture. This was an opportunity to present the discussions taking place within the INAO and the tools implemented for wine protection and management organizations (ODGs) to enable adaptation while preserving the fundamentals of wine AOPs and PGIs: Innovation Assessment Framework (DEI), in particular the varieties for adaptation (VIFA). He reiterated the importance of Vitilience and the current Climate Tour in enabling everyone to take ownership of adaptation strategies. Philippe Pellaton, president of Inter Rhône and president of the INAO’s Rhône Valley Regional Committee, also spoke.

The 120 participants then took part in two interactive workshops led by demonstrators from the Vitilience project. During the viticulture workshop, led by the French Institute of Vine and Wine and the Chamber of Agriculture, innovative vineyard practices were discussed through exchanges with participants (restoration of low-density goblet training, biochar to combat water stress, etc.). The oenology workshop, led by the Institut Rhodanien, focused on the concept of freshness in wines, both white and red. Experimental wines (incorporating grape varieties tested as VIFA, use of acidifying yeasts, etc.) were examined through live, guided tastings.

The richness of this first day of project results was very well received by industry professionals.