INFLUENCE OF CLIMATIC CONDITIONS ON PHENOLOGY AND THE PHYSICAL AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS OF GRAPES FROM RED WINE CULTIVARS IN THE OPRIȘOR–MEHEDINȚI AREA

Rezumat

During the 2025 growing season, the performance of Fetească neagră, Pinot noir, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon was assessed in the Oprișor–Mehedinți wine-growing area, using 10 vines per cultivar. Climatic conditions, phenology, changes in berry mass, sugar accumulation and must acidity were monitored. Mean annual temperature was approximately 14.1 °C, 1.7 °C above the climatic reference, while precipitation totalled 556.6 mm. Pinot noir was the first to reach véraison, whereas Fetească neagră had the earliest ripening/harvest period. At final harvest, sugar concentrations reached 271 g/L in Merlot, 270 g/L in Cabernet Sauvignon, 265 g/L in Fetească neagră and 249 g/L in Pinot noir; titratable acidity ranged from 4.2 to 4.7 g/L H₂SO₄. The results highlight cultivar-specific differences in technological ripening under the conditions of the study year.