WATER FOOTPRINT ASSESSMENT OF THE WINE INDUSTRY. CASE STUDY: RED AND WHITE GRAPES PRODUCTION IN MENDOZA, ARGENTINA

CURADELLI, SILVIA; ARENA, ALEJANDRO PABLO; CIVIT BÁRBARA; PIASTRELLINI, ROXANA

Mendoza

Congreso; 20th GiESCO International Meeting.; 2017

The aim of this study is to assess the water consumption impact related with grapes production in the wine industry in Mendoza province. Four different red grapes (Malbec, Bonarda, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah) and two white varieties (Chardonnay and Pedro Giménez) have been considered, based on their productivity, cultivated area, and economic relevance. The water grapes requirement and the blue and green water footprint have been calculated for each of the districts involved in the wine production of Mendoza, considering two different irrigation systems. The impact analysis was carried out with the Water Scarcity Footprint indicator.The results show that Syrah and Bonarda are the grapes that impact the less during their production, while Cabernet Sauvignon is the most impacting one. The results of this study provide valuable information regarding the impact of grape cultivation for each considered district and grape variety, thus contributing to the environmental sustainability of the sector.