Viti-Focus : challenges and perspectives on Belgian viticulture

The Viti-Focus conference was held on December 4, 2024 at the Espace Senghor in Gembloux. The aim of the event was to present the latest scientific and technical advances in the booming Belgian wine industry. Researchers, professionals and enthusiasts came together to share their experiences, explore the challenges facing Belgian viticulture and look to the future.

The afternoon was marked by a variety of presentations, covering topics ranging from climate impacts to industry organization, followed by a convivial reception featuring Belgian wines.

Program and summary of speeches

• The Belgian climate and its evolution
  Speaker: Dr. Sébastien Dout Dr. Sébastien Doutreloup

Dr. S. Doutreloup, from the Department of Geography at the University of Liège, began by presenting his studies on Belgium's winegrowing climate, based on the use of climate models and comparisons with various French winegrowing regions. The conclusion of this work shows that Belgium does indeed have a particular wine-growing climate, different from that of its neighbors. The second part of the presentation was devoted to climate models for estimating the evolution of the Belgian viticultural climate with global warming. Finally, S. Doutreloup concluded with a brief overview of the likely evolution of wine-growing regions in Europe in the coming years.

• Viticulture research at the Haute École Condorcet: assessment and prospects
  Speaker: Anouck Stalport

Researcher A. Stalport presented an overview of research carried out at the Haute École Condorcet, highlighting innovations in viticulture adapted to the Belgian context. In particular, she presented their Groupement de Viticulteurs EcoResponsables (GVER ) project, aimed at making the transition to agroecological viticulture through the implementation of sustainable practices. She then presented the various studies carried out at her institute, on aspects linked to the soil, the vine itself (notably through studies on the interspecific grape varieties present in their experimental vineyard), but also on the different winemaking processes.

• Epidemiological studies on Belgian vines: the Vitibel project
  Speaker: Lavena van Cranenbroeck

Researcher L. van Cranenbroeck, from Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech's Integrated and Urban Phytopathology unit, presented the Vitibel project, the fruit of collaboration between Gembloux AgroBioTech and ILVO, launched in May 2023. The aim of this project is toimprove understanding of phytosanitary risks linked to viticultural practices in Belgium, with a particular focus on phytoplasmas and quarantine viruses. During her talk, L. van Cranenbroeck detailed these objectives and prospects. She then presented her research methodology, from sampling to analysis.

• Return from the field: particularities of winemaking in Belgium
  Speaker: Laetitia Vankerkoven

L.Vankerkoven, bioengineer and oenologist, is working on theopening of a cooperative winery in Perwez. She also works as a consultant for Belgian winegrowers. During her presentation, she shared feedback on the specificities of winemaking practices in Belgium, through concrete case studies. In particular, she focused on the 2024 vintage, the difficulties encountered this year, and the necessary adaptation processes, emphasizing the importance of resilience and creativity in Belgian vineyards.

• Organization of the industry: presentation by the Collège des Producteurs
  Speaker: Dr. Mathilde Eck Dr. Mathilde Eck

Dr. M. Eck works at the Collège des Producteurs, where she is in charge of the "Edible Horticulture" sector. In her presentation, she first presented the main figures for the Belgian wine industry, then focused on the organization of the sector, with an overview of the different players involved at each stage.

• Promotion and enhancement of Belgian wines made from interspecific grape varieties
  Speaker: Arno Faivre

Researcher A. Faivre, from Gembloux AgroBioTech's Laboratoire d'Economie et de Développement Rural, concluded the session by addressing market and consumption trends worldwide and in Belgium. He then presented the case ofwines made from resistant interspecific grape varieties, presenting them as a means of creating an identity and specificity for Belgian vineyards. He presented several projects aimed at developing tools to promote these grape varieties and better inform consumers.

The Viti-Focus conference brought together various players in the Belgian wine industry to present a number of projects and advances in the scientific world. The conference can be seen as a first step towards greater collaboration between all sectors of the industry. In this sense, the event is intended to be repeated in a future edition, giving the floor to other players in the scientific and professional world of the sector.

The event ended with a tasting of Belgian wines, encouraging informal exchanges and strengthening the participants' network.