The vitiviniculture, recognized for its economic and social importance in Rio Grande do Sul, has increased its production in the frontier of campaign region. The present study aimed to evaluate the phenological behavior, as well as the need for thermal degree-days and the need in days of cultivars of fine grapes intended for production wine, when cultivated in the campaign, local recent in the introduction of this species of economic nature. Data were collected in a commercial vineyard located in Dom Pedrito - RS, Brazil, during the growing seasons of 2007/2008, 2008/2009, 2009/2010, 2010/11 and 2011/12. The species cultivated were, 'Cabernet Sauvignon', 'Tannat', 'Tempranillo', 'Merlot', 'Gewurztraminer', 'Sauvignon Blanc' and 'Chardonnay'. The results demonstrated that cultivars responds differently to the need for thermal days to complete the cycle, requiring on average 2084 and 174 respectively for Cabernet Sauvignon, 1937 and 166 for 'Tempranillo', 161 and 1893 to 'Merlot', and 156 to 1793 for 'Tannat', and 147 to 1759 for 'Sauvignon Blanc', and 152 to 1689 for 'Chardonnay' and 145 to 1606 for 'Gewurztraminer'. The greatest need regarding thermal necessities is to fruit development and ripening and less need to flowering stage
phenology; degree days; thermal demand; vines; wine grapes
