Viticulture, landscapes and the marketing of our wine

Today the knowledge in terms of molecular composition of the colloidal matrix is ​​not enough in order to control its stability, according to the number of winemaking and wine stabilization processes. The physico-chemical processes during the winemaking change the composition and quantity of wine macromolecules. The goal today is to determine which analytical techniques will allow to discriminate these winemaking processes in order to better understand their impact on colloidal matrix stability as well as which molecules are responsible for its instabilities. METHODS: Wines obtained after conventional winemaking were subjected to different fining and chemical stabilization treatments. Different methods were used to investigate the wine macromolecular composition and stability after chemical stabilization, including quantitative and qualitative analyzes of total soluble polysaccharides by extraction under acidified ethanol, and by size exclusion separation as well as qNMR metabolomics. RESULTS: Observation of a slight difference at the quantitative level using classical analysis between the winemaking processes was observed as well as a strong discrimination by qNMR metabolomics.

The Campanha Gaúcha is located in the pampa biome and has unique characteristics, as it is the hottest producing region with the lowest volume of rain in Southern Brazil. Furthermore, the large extensions of flat or low-sloping areas, harsh winters and great sunshine during the ripening period, made this the second largest producer of fine wines in Brazil.

Grapevine (Vitis vinifera) and its derived products, in terms of cultivated area and economic volume, constitute the most relevant fruit crop in the world (7.5 million cultivated hectares). In the current context of climate change, the wine sector faces unprecedented challenges to satisfy a growing demand for wines of greater quality through sustainable viticulture. Global warming threatens quality wine production in Mediterranean wine regions in particular. The increase in heatwaves and drought episodes accelerate the vine phenology and alter the ripening and composition of grapes and wine. Extreme abiotic stress episodes compromise grape production and plant survival, intensifying the pressure on the use of limited resources like water. Abscisic acid (ABA) is an important hormone in the ripening of certain fruits and in plant response to abiotic stress.

Every year, viticulture is facing several outbreaks caused by established diseases, such as downy mildew and grey mould, which possess different life cycles and modes of infection. To cope with these different aggressors, grapevine must recognize them and arm itself with an arsenal of defense strategies.
The regulation of secondary metabolites is one of the first reactions of plants upon pathogen challenge. Their rapid biosynthesis can highly contribute to strengthen the defense mechanisms allowing the plant to adapt, defend and survive.

Application of municipal solid waste (MSW)-compost as a mulching material in vineyards supports sustainable practices and aligns with both circular economy and zero-waste principles.