Observatoire Grenache en Vallée du Rhône: incidence du terroir sur certains précurseurs d’arômes et substances volatiles

A part, at least, of the fruity aroma of red wines is the consequence of perceptive interactions between various aromatic compounds, particularly ethyl esters and acetates, which may contribute to the perception of fruity aromas, specifically thanks to synergistic effects.1,2 The question of the indirect impact of non-fruity compounds on this particular aromatic expression has not yet been widely investigated. Among these compounds higher alcohols (HA) represent the main group, from a quantitative standpoint, of volatiles in many alcoholic beverages. Moreover, some bibliographic data suggested their contribution to the aromatic complexity by either increasing or masking flavors of wine, depending of their concentrations.

The interaction between tannins and salivary proteins is considered to be the basis of the phenomenon of wine astringency. Recently, some authors have revealed that some anthocyanins can also contribute to this mouthfeel sensation by interacting with proline rich proteins (PRPs). However, more studies are needed in order to elucidate the affinity of anthocyanins with these proteins.

Aim: Climate is arguably one of the most important factors determining the quality of wine from any given grapevine variety. High rainfall during spring can promote growth of the vines but increases the risk of fungal disease, while vineyard operations can be disrupted, as machinery may be prevented from getting in the vineyard owing to muddy soils.

The paper discusses potential implications of New Genomic Technologies (NGTs) on European Plant Variety and Wine Law.

Pesticides are considered one of the main causes for arthropod decline in agriculture which in turn may affect ecosystem services such as natural pest control and soil fertility.