IVAS 2022 banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 IVAS 9 IVAS 2022 9 Sensory and chemical profiles of Cabernet Sauvignon wines exposed to different irrigation regimes during heatwaves

Sensory and chemical profiles of Cabernet Sauvignon wines exposed to different irrigation regimes during heatwaves

Abstract

Heatwaves, defined as three or more consecutive days above average historical maximum temperatures, are having a significant impact on agricultural crop yields and quality, especially in arid or semi-arid regions with reduced water availability during the growing season. In grapevine, excessive heat can lead to not only crop loss, but a reduction in quality of the berries and resulting wine. The primary means of mitigating damage due to heatwaves is by applying excess irrigation water prior to and during the heatwave event, thus promoting evaporative cooling by the plant and reducing soil temperatures in the rooting zone and surface.  California wine-growing regions, among others, face a future of
decreased water availability, combined with increases in heatwave incidence, frequency, and intensity. Thus, we will require a greater understanding of the effects of heatwaves and water use at different times during development on grapevine physiology, berry composition, and wine chemistry and quality. In this study we evaluated the impact of different pre-heat wave irrigation practices on vine physiology and berry composition across the 2019 growing season in a commercial Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard in the Northern Central Valley of California, USA (Lodi, CA). Differential irrigation treatments were applied only when a heat event took place and started one or two days before each heatwave and continued until the last day of the heat event. Three irrigation treatments were implemented: a control or baseline, which was exposed to deficit irrigation and held at 60% ET, a second treatment where the irrigation was double the baseline  (2x baseline ET), and third treatment with triple the amount of water of the baseline (3x baseline ET). Replicated wine lots were fermented from each treatment following a standard red wine fermentation protocol. A trained panel characterized  sensorially the aroma and flavor profiles of the wines. Moreover, the wines’ volatile and phenolic profiles were analyzed and correlated to the sensory. 

We found that plants were able to recover from physiological stress caused by heat events but had a negative impact on berry biochemical traits. Negative effects on berry chemistry resulted from over and underwatering during heat waves. The sensory results showed how the differences found in treatments from a physiological and berry chemistry perspective are translated to the wines’ sensory properties and chemical characteristics

DOI:

Publication date: June 23, 2022

Issue: IVAS 2022

Type: Article

Authors

Cantu Annegret¹, Heymann Hildegarde¹, Campbell James¹, Galeano Martina¹, Sanchez Luis ², Dokoozlian Nicolas², Webley AD¹, Lerno L.¹, Ebler SE ¹,McElrone Andrew J.³, Bagshaw Sophia¹and Forrestel Elisabeth J.¹

¹Department of Viticulture and Enology, University of California Davis
²​E.&J. Gallo Winery
³USDA, Davis, California

Contact the author

Keywords

heatwaves, irrigation, cabernet sauvignon, wine chemical characteristics, sensory analysis

Tags

IVAS 2022 | IVES Conference Series

Citation

Related articles…

The impacts of frozen material-other-than-grapes (MOG) on aroma compounds of red wine varieties

An undesirable note called “floral taint” has been observed in red wines by winemakers in the Niagara region caused by large volumes of frozen leaves and petioles [materials-other-than-grapes (MOG)] introduced during mechanical harvest and subsequent winemaking late in the season. The volatiles, which we hypothesized are responsible, are primarily terpenes, norisoprenoids, and specific esters in frozen leaves and petioles. The purpose of this study was to investigate the volatile compounds which may cause the floral taint problem and explore how much of them (thresholds) may lead to the problem. Also, the glycosidic precursors of some of these compounds were analyzed to see the changes happening during frost events.

Aromatic profile of six different clones of Chardonnay grape berries in Minas Gerais (Brazil)

Aromas are one of the key points in food analysis since they are related to character, quality and consequently consumer acceptance. It is not different in the winery industry, where the aromatic profile is a combination of viticultural and oenological practices. Based on the development of more aromatic clones and on the potential to produce sparkling wines at Caldas, in the southern region of Minas Gerais (Brazil) (21°55´S and 46°23´W, altitude 1,100m), the aim of this work was the determination of volatile compounds in six different clones of Chardonnay grape berries to better understand which compounds add bouquet to the wine, and additionally comprehend the impacts of the edaphoclimatic and annual conditions on the improvement of grape-growing and winemaking practices.

Improving stilbenes in vitis Labrusca L. Grapes through methyl jasmonate applications

Grapes (Vitis sp.) are considered a major source of phenolic compounds such as flavonols, anthocyanins and stilbenes. Studies related to the beneficial effects of these compounds on health have encouraged research aimed at increasing their concentration in fruits. On this behalf, several plant growth regulators such as jasmonic acid and its volatile ester, methyl-jasmonate (MeJa), have demonstrated promising results in many fruits. However, Brazilian subtropical climate might interfere on treatment response. The present study aims to evaluate the application of MeJa in the pre-harvest period in Concord and Isabel Precoce grapes (Vitis labrusca L.).

Service crop effects on grapevine water and nitrogen status and yield under Mediterranean climate

Service crops in vineyard can provide multiple ecosystem services but they can also lead to competition with the grapevine for soil resources in the Mediterranean region due to potential severe droughts (Garcia et al., 2018). One of the levers of action to manage this competition is the choice of species adapted in terms of growth dynamics and water and nutrients’ needs. The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of temporary service crops on grapevine water and nitrogen status and grapevine yield and yield components in a Mediterranean vineyard.

Impact of deficit irrigation strategies on terpene concentration in Gewürztraminer grapes

Deficit irrigation is a viticultural practice often applied to improve the phenolic composition of red grapes and wines. However, the impact of this practice on grape terpenes – key aromatics for several grapes and wines – remains largely unknown. This study investigated the impact of deficit irrigation strategies on free and glycosylated terpenes in Gewürztraminer grapes. In a field study conducted in Oliver, BC, in 2016, 2017, and 2018, deficit irrigation regimes were applied to Gewürztraminer vines at different developmental stages (pre-veraison = Early Deficit, ED; post-veraison = Late Deficit, LD; throughout the season = Prolonged Deficit, PD). A well-irrigated control (CN) treatment was also established.