An analytical framework to site-specifically study climate influence on grapevine involving the functional and Bayesian exploration of farm data time series synchronized using an eGDD thermal index

I dati termo-pluviometrici del periodo 1971-2009 registrati da alcune stazioni della regione Abruzzo sono stati analizzati adottando alcuni semplici indici climatici e bioclimatici. E’ stato valutato il verificarsi di cambiamenti climatici così come le loro ripercussioni sulle date di inizio vendemmia.

Kokumi is a complex sensation perceived as enhanced palatability. Under the influence of kokumi substances, foods/beverages tastes become more flavorful with increased intensity, spread, continuity, richness, harmony, and punch which are the six related characteristics corresponding to the kokumi sensory concept (Yamamoto & Inui-Yamamoto 2023).

The overall quality of fine wines is linked to the development of “bouquet” during wine bottle ageing (1). Bordeaux red wine ageing bouquet is defined by the association of several odours

The quality of bottled white wines is highly influenced by their storage conditions, mainly temperature, and exposure to light and oxygen (1, 2).

Harvesting grapes at adequate maturity is key to the production of high-quality red wines. Enologists and wine makers define several types of maturity, including technical maturity, phenolic maturity and aromatic maturity. Technical maturity and phenolic maturity are relatively well documented in the scientific literature, while articles on aromatic maturity are scarcer. This is surprising, because aromatic maturity is, without a doubt, the most important of the three in determining wine quality and typicity (including terroir expression). Optimal terroir expression can be obtained when the different types of maturity are reached at the same time, or within a short time frame. This is more likely to occur when the ripening takes place under mild temperatures, neither too cool, nor too hot. Aromatic expression in wine can be driven, from low to high maturity, by green, herbal, fresh fruit, ripe fruit, jammy fruit, candied fruit or cooked fruit aromas. Green and cooked fruit aromas are not desirable in red wines, while the levels of other aromatic compounds contribute to the typicity of the wine in relation to its origin. Wines produced in cool climates, or on cool soils in temperate climates, are likely to express herbal or fresh fruit aromas; while wines produced under warm climates, or on warm soils in temperate climates, may express ripe fruit, jammy fruit or candied fruit aromas. Growers can optimize terroir expression through their choice of grapevine variety. Early ripening varieties perform better in cool climates and late ripening varieties in warm climates. Additionally, maturity can be advanced or delayed by different canopy management practices or training systems.