WAC 2022 banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 WAC 9 WAC 2022 9 3 - WAC - Posters 9 The chemical composition of disease resistant hybrid grape cultivars and its impact on wine quality: an exploratory enquiry into sustainable wines

The chemical composition of disease resistant hybrid grape cultivars and its impact on wine quality: an exploratory enquiry into sustainable wines

Abstract

Disease resistant hybrid grape cultivars are now allowed in a number of EU wine PDOs, and are also accepted in a number of countries outside the EU. There is increasing interest in diseases resistant hybrid grape cultivars (RHGCs) because they allow for the production of healthy, high quality grapes with limited use of pesticides and the associated environmental and public health problems. However, the chemical composition of DRHGCs differs from Vitis vinifera, and hence winemaking protocols need to be adjusted. In particular, DRHGCs are frequently high in pH, due to their mineral content, and low in titratable acidity, due to the ability of the grapes to continue to accumulate acid post-véraison. They are also frequently low in tannins, partly due to their high protein content. This can also mean that the addition of exogenous tannins might not be sufficient to increase wine tannin levels to match Vitis vinifera wines. Depending on the species used in breeding, they can also have unusual herbaceous or ‘foxy’ aromas, which can be off-putting to consumers. In response, vignerons have trailed a number of different methods for vinifying DRHGCs, such as thermovinification, carbonic maceration, and cold soaks. The results of such trials are still inconclusive, and it is likely that different cultivars will require different approaches. This study will examine the chemistry of DRHGCs, and propose vinification techniques suitable for use in producing high quality wines. The paper is part of a broader investigation on sustainability in the wine sector and contributes to establish a scientific evidence for defining further steps in the direction of the ecological transition.

DOI:

Publication date: June 27, 2022

Issue: WAC 2022

Type: Article

Authors

Gavin DULEY, Edoardo LONGO, Federica VIGANÒ, Emanuele BOSELLI

Presenting author

Gavin DULEY  – Free University of Bozen-Bolzano

Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano

Contact the author

Keywords

Disease resistant hybrid grape cultivars – sustainable wines – winemaking protocols – green technologies – wine chemistry

Tags

IVES Conference Series | WAC 2022

Citation

Related articles…

PROBING GRAPEVINE-BOTRYTIS CINEREA INTERACTION THROUGH MASS SPECTROMETRY IMAGING

Plants in their natural environment are in continuous interaction with large numbers of potentially pathogenic and beneficial microorganisms. Depending on the microbe, plants have evolved a variety of resistance mechanisms that can be constitutively expressed or induced. Phytoalexins, which are biocidal compounds of low to medium molecular weight synthesized by and accumulated in plants as a response to stress, take part in this intricate defense system.1,2
One of the limitations of our knowledge of phytoalexins is the difficulty of analyzing their spatial responsiveness occurring during plant- pathogen interactions under natural conditions.

Metschnikowia pulcherrima: A valuable microbial bioresource from wine for smart agrifood

The yeast Metschnikowia pulcherrima is a microorganism of great biotechnological interest, both for improving winemaking processes and for other applications outside the wine supply chain.

Application of GiESCO “bio-metaethics” charter in practice: the “direct” involvement of vine grower, winemaker, society

On the basis of a direct agreement between the GiESCO and the vine grower, the winemaker and the consumers (individual; company; public or private organizations), the communication on the content of the charter can be done as follows:
• Commitment to respect the basic rules of the GiESCO “BIO – MetaEthics” charter.
1/ Put Mankind in the depth of all concerns in a universal context: (grower, consumer, citizen, work valuing, education, security)
2/ Insure minimum impact on environment by optimizing cultivation technics: (maximum of natural biodegradable products, friendly practices, short channels, renewable energies, terroir sustainability)

A multidisciplinary approach to assess the impact of future drought scenarios on vineyard ecosystems

Drought events can strongly affect grapevine and berry physiology and subsequent wine quality, as widely demonstrated in controlled experiments.

Post-spring frost canopy development and fruit composition in cv. Barbera grapevines

One of the effects of warming trends is the advance of budburst, increasing the frequency of spring frost-related damage. In April 2021, a severe frost event affected central and northern italian viticulture. In a cv. Barbera vineyard located in the Colli Piacentini wine district, after such occurrence, vines were tracked and growth of primary bud shoots (PBS), secondary bud shoots (SBS), and suckers (SK) was monitored, as well as their fruitfulness and fruit composition. Vine performances were then compared to those of the previous year, when no post-budburst freezing temperatures occurred. The goal of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of SBS in restoring yield loss due to PBS injuries and analyze respective contribution to fruit composition.