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- Brief created: 2025
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The Effect of Geographical Denomination on the Uptake of Fungus-resistant Grapes
Brief about:
Journal Article (2025)
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Investigates the impact of geographical denomination eligibility on the cultivation of fungus-resistant grape varieties in Switzerland, examining how this affects their adoption by winegrowers.
The agricultural sector globally as well as in Switzerland is under pressure to reduce pesticide use and risk to protect the environment and human health. Viticulture is significant in this context, as fungicides account for about one-third of all pesticides used in European and Swiss agriculture. Fungus-resistant grape varieties offer a promising solution, potentially reducing fungicide use by 80%. However, these varieties are currently underutilized, comprising only 3.5% of vineyard areas in Switzerland and even lower shares in other countries. This limited adoption is partly due to regulations supporting geographical denominations, which typically emphasize traditional grape varieties. Geographical indications, such as Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) and Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC), are crucial for identifying quality and origin in agricultural markets, with 90% of Swiss wine sold under these labels. Including fungus-resistant varieties in geographical denomination regulations could promote their cultivation and reduce pesticide risks, but this approach has not been empirically tested or quantified.
The study explores whether geographical denomination eligibility influences the cultivation of fungus-resistant grape varieties. Using a dataset of 54,483 observed varieties from 381 Swiss winegrowing farms, the research leverages cantonal differences in wine regulations. These regulations vary widely, with some cantons (administrative units) allowing up to 32 fungus-resistant varieties for geographical indications, while others permit none. Geographical denominations can signal quality and reduce marketing costs for lesser-known fungus-resistant varieties. The study employs econometric regression analyses, controlling for cantonal, farm-level, and varietal factors, to estimate the effect of geographical indication eligibility on the cultivation of these varieties.
Key findings
- Geographical denomination eligibility positively influences the cultivation of fungus-resistant grape varieties.Evidence
A fungus-resistant variety approved for geographical denomination in a canton is 2% more likely to be planted there compared to the same variety in a canton where it is not approved.
What it meansWhile geographical denomination eligibility encourages the cultivation of fungus-resistant varieties, the effect is modest, suggesting the need for additional measures to boost adoption.
- Traditional grape varieties benefit more from geographical denomination eligibility than fungus-resistant varieties.Evidence
A traditional variety approved for geographical denomination is 5% more likely to be cultivated compared to the same variety in a canton where it is not approved.
What it meansThe stronger effect for traditional varieties highlights the entrenched stand of these varieties within geographical denomination systems, indicating that geographical denomination alone may not suffice to promote fungus-resistant varieties thoroughly.
Proposed action
- To reduce pesticide use and related risks, fungus-resistant grape varieties should be more widely planted—particularly given viticulture’s pesticide importance within agriculture.Step one
Allow these varieties in geographical denomination regulations to legitimize and promote their adoption.
Regulators should update varietal lists, involve stakeholders, and communicate benefits clearly to growers and consumers.
Step twoDue to the small effects, provide additional targeted support and better market recognition for wines made from fungus-resistant grape varieties to promote their cultivation by growers.
Offer winegrowers clear guidance and technical support on the cultivation and vinification of these varieties, introduce standardized labeling for such wines, and launch public campaigns to inform consumers about their environmental benefits—especially their role in reducing pesticide use.
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The Effect of Geographical Denomination on the Uptake of Fungus-resistant Grapes
Cite this brief: Zachmann, Lucca. 'The Effect of Geographical Denomination on the Uptake of Fungus-resistant Grapes'. Acume. https://www.acume.org/r/the-effect-of-geographical-denomination-on-the-uptake-of-fungus-resistant-grapes/
Brief created by: Dr Lucca Zachmann | Year brief made: 2025
Original research:
- McCallum, C., Zachmann, L., & Finger, R., ‘The effect of geographical denomination on the uptake of fungus-resistant grapes’ 47(3) (pp. 1095–1118) https://doi.org/10.1002/aepp.13512. – https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/piiS27
Research brief:
Investigates the impact of geographical denomination eligibility on the cultivation of fungus-resistant grape varieties in Switzerland, examining how this affects their adoption by winegrowers.
The agricultural sector globally as well as in Switzerland is under pressure to reduce pesticide use and risk to protect the environment and human health. Viticulture is significant in this context, as fungicides account for about one-third of all pesticides used in European and Swiss agriculture. Fungus-resistant grape varieties offer a promising solution, potentially reducing fungicide use by 80%. However, these varieties are currently underutilized, comprising only 3.5% of vineyard areas in Switzerland and even lower shares in other countries. This limited adoption is partly due to regulations supporting geographical denominations, which typically emphasize traditional grape varieties. Geographical indications, such as Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) and Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC), are crucial for identifying quality and origin in agricultural markets, with 90% of Swiss wine sold under these labels. Including fungus-resistant varieties in geographical denomination regulations could promote their cultivation and reduce pesticide risks, but this approach has not been empirically tested or quantified.
The study explores whether geographical denomination eligibility influences the cultivation of fungus-resistant grape varieties. Using a dataset of 54,483 observed varieties from 381 Swiss winegrowing farms, the research leverages cantonal differences in wine regulations. These regulations vary widely, with some cantons (administrative units) allowing up to 32 fungus-resistant varieties for geographical indications, while others permit none. Geographical denominations can signal quality and reduce marketing costs for lesser-known fungus-resistant varieties. The study employs econometric regression analyses, controlling for cantonal, farm-level, and varietal factors, to estimate the effect of geographical indication eligibility on the cultivation of these varieties.
Findings:
Geographical denomination eligibility positively influences the cultivation of fungus-resistant grape varieties.
A fungus-resistant variety approved for geographical denomination in a canton is 2% more likely to be planted there compared to the same variety in a canton where it is not approved.
While geographical denomination eligibility encourages the cultivation of fungus-resistant varieties, the effect is modest, suggesting the need for additional measures to boost adoption.
Traditional grape varieties benefit more from geographical denomination eligibility than fungus-resistant varieties.
A traditional variety approved for geographical denomination is 5% more likely to be cultivated compared to the same variety in a canton where it is not approved.
The stronger effect for traditional varieties highlights the entrenched stand of these varieties within geographical denomination systems, indicating that geographical denomination alone may not suffice to promote fungus-resistant varieties thoroughly.
Advice:
To reduce pesticide use and related risks, fungus-resistant grape varieties should be more widely planted—particularly given viticulture’s pesticide importance within agriculture.
- Regulators should update varietal lists, involve stakeholders, and communicate benefits clearly to growers and consumers.
- Offer winegrowers clear guidance and technical support on the cultivation and vinification of these varieties, introduce standardized labeling for such wines, and launch public campaigns to inform consumers about their environmental benefits—especially their role in reducing pesticide use.