The purpose of this study was to evaluate the level of water application which optimizes phenolic
composition. It was carried out in Friuli, Italy, in 1999, on a 6-yr old Merlot/SO4, cordon-trained, and
planted on a gravelly loam. Two different water levels were compared: 1) control (C), kept at 80% of
soil available water, and 2) stress (S), kept at 20% of soil available water. The amount of water
applied was calculated based on the total humidity of the soil -this is the same as the total waterholding
capacity. Irrigation was then applied every 15 days to meet the 80% and 20% humidity
targets.
