The biodiversity programme of the Union of Saumur-Champigny producers, accredited by Végépolys

Located to the south-east of Saumur, the wine-growing area forms a triangle, demarcated to the north by the left bank of the Loire, to the west by the Thouet valley and to the east by the Fontevraud forest. This geographical and geological density, as well as the configuration of the AOC landscape, is a key asset for the success of the programme.

The objective is to optimise the natural biological equilibrium within the wine-growing area by exploiting the potential of cultivation aids and the landscape in regulating pests that attack the vines. The establishment of fallow, untreated areas known as Zones Ecologiques Réservoirs (ZER) should support the spread of biodiversity present in natural habitats (woodland, meadows and hedgerows) to the vineyards themselves.

A development plan for the AOC, currently being implemented, should make it possible to suggest to the vineyard owners that they work on developments that will enable the landscape hypotheses to be tested, protecting the existing ZERs and creating links between these ZERs and the vines by planting hedges (ZER "corridors"). During the winter of 2007/2008, 3.8 km of hedges and almond trees will be planted by 20 wine-growers, with help from the Maine-et-Loire Departmental Council and the support of the Pays de la Loire region.

This project, which has been granted the quality certification Pôle de compétitivité à vocation mondiale « Végépolys » (World competitiveness cluster), is run by the Saumur-Champigny Producers Union in partnership with three research departments (ENITA in Bordeaux, ESA and INH in Angers, along with the Montreuil-Bellay high school), the Chamber of Agriculture and the Nova-Flore seed producer, and involving the Parc naturel régional Loire-Anjou-Touraine and local authorities.

Update :

 

In order to share its experience, the Union has produced a four-board exhibition on:

- the AOC winemaking landscape

- the advantages of biodiversity

- the AOC development proposal

- some examples of completed development projects

 

It is available free of charge in several formats (0.80x2.15m freestanding, 0.60x0.80m PVC) for events, in addition to a brochure (PDF, 1.5mb).

Information:
Syndicat des Producteurs de Saumur-Champigny