Questionnaire: Knowledge, awareness, and perception on climate change in AIS Puglia Sommellerie

Project Background: Ri.Vi.Vi. Valle d’Itria This survey instrument was developed as a core component of the regional project "Ri.Vi.Vi. Valle d’Itria", a scientific initiative promoted by the CNR Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection in collaboration with the Italian Sommelier Association (AIS). The project addresses the pressing challenges posed by the climate crisis to the wine industry, particularly in Southern Italy, where increasing drought and extreme heat waves are already impacting traditional viticultural landscapes and wine styles. Rationale and Scope While technical adaptation in the vineyard and cellar is essential, the long-term sustainability of the wine sector heavily depends on market acceptance and consumer awareness. This research identifies the Sommelier as a "strategic bridge" and a primary cultural mediator between producers and consumers. The survey focuses on the Apulia region as a pilot study, with the ultimate goal of adopting a "train-the-trainer" approach to update professional educational curricula and standardized communication strategies. Research Objectives The survey was designed to achieve three primary scientific objectives: Professional Mapping: To evaluate how climate change is currently influencing the daily activities and perceptions of professional sommeliers. Market Insight: To analyze the behaviors and attitudes of both producers and consumers through the professional lens of the sommellerie. Educational Gap Analysis: To identify specific training needs and communication gaps required to transform sommeliers into effective "Climate Ambassadors". Instrument Overview The questionnaire is a structured instrument comprising 43 targeted queries organized into four thematic dimensions: Knowledge & Awareness: Perception of climate impacts on viticultural suitability and sensory profiles. Technical Adaptation: Orientation toward innovative practices, such as the introduction of resistant hybrid varieties (PIWI) and regulatory updates to production specifications. Communication & Storytelling: Assessing the influence of narratives on consumer purchase decisions and the acceptance of sensory modifications. Professional Profiling: Collecting demographic and experiential data to map the drivers of professional proactivity. This dataset provides the full survey instrument used to collect responses from professional sommeliers, facilitating future comparative studies and the expansion of the research at a national and international level.