The risks of using synthetic pesticides at vineyards have prompted certain groups to start experimenting with new methods of keeping grapes healthy. Consumers’ desire to buy more organic based wines has proven that natural techniques, such as the use of ultraviolet light (UV-C), can be effective alternatives to pesticides. While the shining of UV-C on grapes before the harvest does alter certain characteristics, it does not affect the quality of the grapes. In addition, it increases disease-resistance factors substantially and even up to 86% more when UV-C was used multiple times pre-harvest.
Source – ACS: Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry