IVAS 2022 banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 IVAS 9 IVAS 2022 9 Sensory profiles and European Consumer Preference related to Aroma and Phenolic Composition of Wines made from Fungus Resistant Grape Varieties

Sensory profiles and European Consumer Preference related to Aroma and Phenolic Composition of Wines made from Fungus Resistant Grape Varieties

Abstract

New grape varieties with several resistance loci towards powdery and downy mildew allows to significantly reduce the use of fungicides. These fungus resistant grape varieties (PIWI from the German Pilzwiderstandsfähig) play a crucial role to reach the goal to lower pesticide use by 50% as requested by the European Green Deal for 2030. However, wine growers are reluctant to plant them due to a lack of experience in vinification and uncertainty how consumer perceive and purchase wines of these completely unknown varieties.
The objective of this study within the VITIFIT research consortium was to vinify different wine styles in two vintages from grapes of four white and three red PIWI. Most of them came from the same experimental site, where four classic varieties were planted as well. We regressed data obtained by descriptive analysis with hedonic ratings from German, French, Italian, Danish and Dutch consumers. Several consumer segments appeared having different drivers of preference, however all consumers disliked sour, astringent and green wines with less fruit and color. Wine professionals scored the same wines and judged the wines very similar to the consumers: 9% of PIWI wines were rated significantly better, 9% significantly inferior and in 82%, no difference occurred.
To unravel the molecular base we analysed aroma compounds in a non-targeted way as well as by targeted analysis by SIDA-GC-MS or LC-MS for monoterpenes, C13-norisoprenoids and polyfunctional thiols. Analysis of phenolic compounds covered indirect measurements such as Folin-C or Harbertson-Adams-Assay as well as targeted analysis by LC-MS or LC-DAD. In case of the Muscaris (PIWI) versus Muskateller comparison Muscaris wines were richer in cis-roseoxide, while linalool and α-terpineol were higher in Muskateller wines. A sensory napping analysis however, could not distinguish wines of both varieties. So far, no specific off-flavors could be detected in the new PIWIs as they are reported for old hybrid varieties. Although fungus resistance may relate to increased polyphenols in the grape skin, red wines made from PIWI did not show higher concentrations in general across the different winemaking styles.
Overall, making wines from grapes from the same or very similar vineyards, PIWIs delivered from a sensory and hedonic point of view equivalent or even superior wines. Using different winemaking styles allow fulfilling specific and varying sensory demands of European consumers. Combining these findings with the elsewhere reported improved sustainability in growing PIWIs, should convince a rising number of conventional and organic vintners to plant more PIWIs in the near future.

References

sensory evaluation, fungus resistant grape varieties, consumer, aroma compounds, polyphenols

DOI:

Publication date: June 23, 2022

Issue: IVAS 2022

Type: Article

Authors

Weber Marc1, Vestner Jochen1 and Fischer Ulrich1

1Dienstleistungszentrum Ländlicher Raum (DLR) Rheinpfalz, Institute for Viticulture and Oenology

Contact the author

Keywords

List of different keywords (keyword1, keyword2, keyword3)

Tags

IVAS 2022 | IVES Conference Series

Citation

Related articles…

Vineyard floor management intensity impacts soil health indicators and biodiversity across South Australian viticultural landscapes

Vineyard floors in warm, dry landscapes including those in South Australia, have traditionally been managed using intensive practices such as tillage and herbicides to control weeds and vegetation, thereby limiting competition with grapevines for water and nutrients in order to not compromise yields.

Read More

Post-plant nematicides: too little, too late for Northern root-knot nematode management

Context and Purpose. Management of plant-parasitic nematodes in perennial cropping systems such as wines grapes is challenging.

Read More

Soil quality in Beaujolais vineyard. Importance of pedology and cultural practices

A pedological study was carried out from 2009 to 2017 in Beaujolais vineyard, to improve physical and chemical knowledge of soils. It was completed in 2016 and 2017 by the current study, dealing with microbial aspects, in order to build a reference frame for improved advice in soil management. Microbial biomass was measured on representative plots of the six most common soil types identified in Beaujolais and, for each soil type, on plots with different levels of the main impacting parameters: total organic carbon, pH, cation exchange capacity, extractable copper. A total of 59 soil samples were collected. Confirming the results of various trials carried out in Beaujolais over the past 20 years, the results of the present study showed that the soils were still alive, but exhibited a large variability of biological parameters, which appeared dependant on both pedological and anthropic factors. Therefore, a good interpretation of biological parameters and advice for vine growers must rely on a pedologically-based referential with differentiated main driving factors. For example, the control of pH is of primary importance in granitic soils and in no way organic matter addition can improve soil quality if pH is too low. Conversely, in calcareous soils, biological parameters are more directly affected by direct or indirect (cover crops for example) inputs of organic matter. The use of biological parameters, such as microbial biomass, is of great potential value to improve advice on agro-viticultural practices (soil management, fertilization, liming, etc.), basis of a sustainable wine production on fragile soils.

Read More

VITIGEOSS Business Service: Task scheduling optimization in vineyards

Agriculture plantations are complex systems whose performance critically depends on the execution of several types of tasks with precise timing and efficiency to respond to different external factors. This is particularly true for orchards like vineyards, which need to be strictly monitored and regulated, as they are sensitive to diverse types of pests, and climate conditions. In these environments, managing and optimally scheduling the available work force and resources is not trivial and is usually done by teams of senior managers based on their experience. In this regard, having a baseline schedule could help them in the decision process and improve their results, in terms of time and resources spent.

Read More

Detoxification capacities of heavy metals and pesticides by yeasts 

Winegrowing is still characterized by the extensive use of chemical fertilizers and plant protection products, despite strong recommendations to limit these practices. A part of these xenobiotics and metals are then found in grape juice and wine, causing a major health concern, as well as negatively affecting the fermentation process. In recent years, there has been renewed interest in non-Saccharomyces yeasts. These species have a wide phenotypic diversity, which would be exploited to broaden the aromatic palette of wines.

Read More