Effect of “Terroir” on quanti-qualitative paramethers of “vino nobile di Montepulciano”

Italy is a rich hub of viticultural biodiversity harboring hundreds of indigenous grape varieties that have adapted over centuries to the diverse climatic and geographic conditions of its regions. Preserving this biodiversity is essential for maintaining a diversified genetic pool, crucial for addressing future challenges such as climate change and emerging plant diseases. Rising temperatures, precipitation pattern variations, and extreme weather events can affect grape ripening, crop quality, and contribute to disease development. Integrated disease management necessitates exploration of novel strategies. Biotechnologies emerge as a significant player in tackling modern viticulture challenges.

The sensory properties of a wine depends on its colours, aromas and flavors. Regarding red wines, the gustatory part consists of the acid, bitter and sweet tastes

To characterize in depth the enological productions according to the origin territories and to provide modern tools for the qualitative raising of the assorted typologies of wine produced, Veneto Agricoltura (the regional agency for the agriculture, forestry and food industry development), the Regional Government of Veneto (north-eastern Italy) and various Consortia of Producers have undertaken since 2002 a systematic classification of the viticultural territories by agro-ecological zoning to achieve a strategic project aimed to set Veneto as the first Italian region to have completed in a systematic and scientifically rigorous way the zoning of most of its Denomination of Origin areas.

Vitis vinifera L. ‘Gewürztraminer’ is a historical grape variety of Alto Adige (Südtirol), Italy, which is widely grown in the area of Tramin an der Weinstraße, but is also grown globally. It produces highly aromatic wines that are strongly influenced by the terroir of the vineyard sites where they are grown. This study looked at musts and young wines from ‘Gewürztraminer’ grapes harvested in seven distinct vineyards near Tramin and then processed at Cantina di Termeno, minimizing winemaking protocol variability. Samples were profiled using bidimensional gas chromatography–time-of-flight mass spectrometry, liquid chromatography coupled to electrochemical detection, and near-IR spectrometry. The data were subjected to Principle Component Analysis and Hierarchical Clustering Analysis. Sensory discriminant testing was undertaken using the sorting method with a semi-trained panel, and the data were processed using Multidimensional Scaling. Seven must/wine pairs could be distinguished based on their untargeted volatilome profiles and on sensory evaluation. As expected, there were greater differences in the volatile compounds between the wines than between the musts. The wines from vineyards 4 and 5 were nonetheless quite homogenous in terms of chemical and sensory analyses, as were the wines from vineyards 1 and 3. For the phenolic profile, differences were noted between the musts and wines of vineyards 2, 3, and 4, but the musts from vineyards 5 and 7 were similar. Sensory analysis showed the wines from vineyards 6 and 7 to be distinct from the rest. These results reinforce that the composition of ‘Gewürztraminer’ musts and wines is strongly determined by vineyard site, even in a small geographic area with high variability of the terroir (soil and microclimate), and that these differences are apparent in the flavours and aromas of the finished wines. Further confirmation would require a larger sample of wines, preferably from several vintages.

Bottle aging is crucial for wine quality, influencing its chemical and sensory properties [1]. Ideally, a phase of qualitative ageing enhances sensory attributes before a decline in quality occurs. Understanding the impact of oenological variables on these phases is a key challenge in modern winemaking.