The use of
vine training systems in
viticulture is aimed primarily to assist in
canopy management with finding the balance in enough
foliage to facilitate
photosynthesis without excessive
shading that could impede
grape ripening or promote
grape diseases. Additional benefits of utilizing particular training systems could be to control potential
yields and to facilitate mechanization of certain vineyard tasks such as
pruning,
irrigation, applying
pesticide or
fertilizing sprays as well as
harvesting the grapes. In deciding on what type of vine training system to use, growers will also consider the
climate conditions of the vineyard where the amount of sunlight,
humidity and
wind could have a large impact on the exact benefits the training system offers. For instance, while having a large spread out
canopy (such as what the
Geneva Double Curtain offers) can promote a favorable leaf to fruit ratio for photosynthesis, it offers very little wind protection. In places such as the
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, strong prevailing winds such as
le mistral can take the fruit right off the vine so a more condensed, protective vine training system is desirable for vineyards there.