IVAS 2022 banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 IVAS 9 IVAS 2022 9 Fermentative volatile compounds and chromatic characteristics can contribute to Italian white wines diversity

Fermentative volatile compounds and chromatic characteristics can contribute to Italian white wines diversity

Abstract

Perceived aroma plays an important role in wine quality, and it depends mainly on the volatile composition. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from grapes and those formed during winemaking are involved in the sensory complexity of wines. In aroma-neutral winegrape varieties, the winemaking process itself, and particularly alcoholic fermentation (AF), impacts strongly on the organoleptic characteristics of wines due to the formation of volatile alcohols, acids, and esters. In addition, phenolic compounds could contribute not only to the wine color but also to VOCs evolution during AF.
The main aim of the present study was to evaluate the differences in the concentration of fermentative VOCs among varieties from different Italian geographical zones. For this aim, 246 monovarietal white wines (vintage 2019) from 18 varieties cultivated in 9 different Italian regions were selected. Fermentative alcohols, acids, and esters were extracted by LLME and analyzed by GC-MS. Standard physico-chemical parameters, total polyphenol index, DPPH antioxidant activity, and chromatic characteristics including absorbance at 420 nm and CIELab coordinates were also determined.
Fermentative VOCs are ascribed to the management of FA, therefore the differences observed could be due to both the grape juice composition and the several factors driving FA (yeasts, nutrients, temperature). The results obtained show that fermentative compounds allow to differentiate some monovarietal wines. Albana wines were characterized by the highest average concentrations of total fermentative VOCs, particularly alcohols and ethyl esters, the latter reaching the highest value also in Fiano, Greco, and Pallagrello bianco. In turn, Fiano and Pallagrello showed the highest concentrations of aromatic alcohols. Falanghina and Vermentino wines contained the highest amount of acetates whereas Fiano was the richest in methyl esters. Gewürztraminer wines were the most abundant in volatile acids, followed by Ribolla gialla, Vermentino, Garganega, and Pinot grigio. In addition, Müller Thurgau and Verdicchio wines showed the lowest concentrations of total fermentative VOCs, particularly alcohols. Nosiola wines were characterized by the lowest abundance in acids and acetates, while Pinot grigio and Müller Thurgau wines contained the lowest amount of ethyl and methyl esters, respectively.
Regarding chromatic and phenolic characteristics, Pallagrello and Albana wines were characterized by the highest total phenolic content and antioxidant activity, but also were the darkest wines showing the highest value of b* color coordinate (yellowish). Conversely, Pinot grigio wines showed the lowest antioxidant activity and total phenolic compound concentration. Pinot grigio and Cortese wines had the lightest color and the lowest contribution of the yellow color component (b* coordinate and absorbance at 420 nm).

Acknowledgments: MIUR project PRIN n. 2017RXFFRR.

DOI:

Publication date: June 24, 2022

Issue: IVAS 2022

Type: Poster

Authors

Río Segade Susana1, Škrab Domen1, Paissoni Maria Alessandra1, Giacosa Simone1, Luzzini Giovanni2, Ugliano Maurizio2, Piergiovanni Maurizio3, Mattivi Fulvio3, Marangon Matteo4, Curioni Andrea4, Parpinello Giuseppina P.5, Versari Andrea5, Piombino Paola5, Moio Luigi5, Gerbi Vincenzo1 and Rolle Luca1

1Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences (DISAFA), University of Torino
2Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Italy
3Centre Agriculture Food Environment (C3A), University of Trento, Italy
4Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, Italy
5Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Italy

Contact the author

Keywords

volatile compounds, color characteristics, antioxidant potential, white wines, differentiation

Tags

IVAS 2022 | IVES Conference Series

Citation

Related articles…

NEAR INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY FOR THE ESTIMATION OF TEMPRANILLO BLANCO VOLATILE COMPOSITION ALONG GRAPE MATURATION

Grape volatile compounds are mainly responsible for wine aroma, so it is important to know the va-rietal aromatic composition throughout ripening process. Currently, there are no tools that allow mea-suring the aromatic composition of grapes, in intact berries and periodically, throughout ripening, in the vineyard or in the winery. For this reason, this work evaluated the use of near infrared spectroscopy (NIR) to estimate the aromatic composition and total soluble solids (TSS) of Tempranillo Blanco berries during ripening. For this purpose, NIR spectra (1100-2100 nm) were acquired from 240 samples of in-tact berries, collected at different dates, from veraison to overripening.

Optimized protocol for high-quality RNA extraction from grape tissues using sorbitol pre-wash

Obtaining high-quality RNA from grape tissues, including berry pulp, berry skins, stems, rachis, or roots, is challenging due to their composition, which includes polysaccharides, phenolic compounds, sugars, and organic acids that can negatively affect RNA extraction. For instance, polyphenols and other secondary metabolites can bind to RNA, making it difficult to extract a pure sample. Additionally, RNA can co-precipitate with polysaccharides, leading to lower extraction yield. Also, sugars and organic acids can interfere with the pH and ionic properties of the extraction buffer. To address these challenges, we optimized a protocol for RNA isolation from grape tissues.

Litchi tomato as a fumigation alternative in Washington state wine grape vineyards

The northern root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne hapla) is one of the most prevalent plant-parasitic nematodes affecting Washington State Vitis vinifera vineyards. This nematode induces small galls on roots, restricting water and nutrient uptake. In new vineyards this can impede establishment. In existing vineyards, it can exacerbate decline in chronically stressed vines. While preplant fumigation is a common strategy for M. hapla management, its efficacy is temporary and relies on broad-spectrum chemicals that undergo frequent regulatory scrutiny. The trap crop litchi tomato (Solanum sisymbriifolium) showed promise in reducing plant-parasitic nematode densities in potato. This prompted field greenhouse experiments to evaluate its potential to reduce M. hapla in V. vinifera.

Evaluation of viticultural suitability of Arezzo Province (Tuscany)

Dans une région comme la Toscane, zone dans laquelle sont produits certains des meilleurs vins italiens et du monde, la province d’Arezzo a actuellement une importance relativement marginale

Adaptation to soil and climate through the choice of plant material

Choosing the rootstock, the scion variety and the training system best suited to the local soil and climate are the key elements for an economically sustainable production of wine. The choice of the rootstock/scion variety best adapted to the characteristics of the soil is essential but, by changing climatic conditions, ongoing climate change disrupts the fine-tuned local equilibrium. Higher temperatures induce shifts in developmental stages, with on the one hand increasing fears of spring frost damages and, on the other hand, ripening during the warmest periods in summer. Expected higher water demand and longer and more frequent drought events are also major concerns. The genetic control of the phenotypes, by genomic information but also by the epigenetic control of gene expression, offers a lot of opportunities for adapting the plant material to the future. For complex traits, genomic selection is also a promising method for predicting phenotypes. However, ecophysiological modelling is necessary to better anticipate the phenotypes in unexplored climatic conditions Genetic approaches applied on parameters of ecophysiological models rather than raw observed data are more than ever the basis for finding, or building, the ideal varieties of the future.