Les sols du cru de Bonnezeaux, Thouarcé, Anjou, France

The indigenous Greek grape varieties Assyrtiko, Malagousia, Moschofilero and Roditis are used to produce white wines that are attracting the interest of wine producers and consumers due to their aromatic characteristics [1]. In addition, the Agiorgitiko and Xinomavro varieties are Greece’s most prominent red grape varieties.

Context and purpose of the study – Grape sunburn is an abiotic stress response triggered by high temperatures.

Oxygen is playing a major role in wine ageing and conservation. Many chemical oxidation reactions occur but they are difficult to follow due to their slow reaction times

The weather anomalies comparing the 1971-2000 time frame and the last years has showned a dramatic scenario when, in some months, average temperature in above 3ºC and the reduction in precipitation in more than 30%.

Malolactic fermentation (MLF) is a secondary step in the vinification process and it follows alcoholic fermentation (AF) which is predominantly carried out by Saccharomyces cerevisiae. These two processes result in the degradation of metabolites to produce secondary metabolites which also contribute to the final wine flavour and quality. AF results in the production of ethanol and carbon dioxide from sugars and MLF stems from the degradation of L-malic acid (a dicarboxylic acid) to L-lactic acid (a monocarboxylic acid). The latter process results in a smoother texture as the acidity of the wine is reduced by the process, it also adds to the flavour complexity of the wine.