terclim by ICS banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 International Congress on Grapevine and Wine Sciences 9 2ICGWS-2023 9 Overall conceptual characterization of aged dry white wines using a mental descriptive questionnaire

Overall conceptual characterization of aged dry white wines using a mental descriptive questionnaire

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to understand the overall concept of an aged dry white wine using a descriptive mental questionnaire. A total of 680 worldwide participants, grouped according to their involvement in the wine business, replied to an online questionnaire to characterize the sensory analytical and synthetic descriptors of an aged dry white wine. The descriptors were selected using a Check-All-That-Apply (CATA) approach concerning wine colour, aroma, taste, mouthfeel, and global appreciation.

 

The responses checked by at least 20% of the participants included the following number of descriptors: (a) 5, for the colour; (b) 7, for the aromas; (c) 6, for the taste and the mouthfeel; and (d) 10, for the global appreciation. The involvement level did not influence the diversity of the sensory descriptors. However, highly involved subjects used more frequently terms such as beeswax, kerosene, length and saltiness. Overall, the conceptual space of aged white wines may be characterized by deep yellow to deep gold colour and aromas of dried fruit, honey, caramel, oak and beeswax. The taste and mouthfeel were dominated by acidity, body, length, viscosity, smoothness and dryness. The global appreciation included terms such as complex, persistent, rich, concentrated and developed. A consensual tasting script could have the following text: “Deep gold to amber colour, mature and developed aroma, with notes of dried fruit, honey and caramel. Taste dominated by acidity, encompassing a mouthfeel sensation marked by body, dryness, smoothness and after-mouth persistence.” This overall sensory space is consistent with the metaphorical concept of “mellowed by age” wines, thus avoiding the conceivable negative connotation of “old wine”.

DOI:

Publication date: October 5, 2023

Issue: ICGWS 2023

Type: Article

Authors

Manuel Malfeito-Ferreira* and Mariana Sequeira

Linking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food (LEAF) Research Center, Associated Laboratory TERRA, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, University of Lisbon, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisboa, Portugal

Contact the author*

Keywords

white wines, longevity, aging potential, sensory conceptual spaces, tasting scripts, mellowed wines

Tags

2ICGWS | ICGWS | ICGWS 2023 | IVES Conference Series

Citation

Related articles…

Quantifying water use diversity across grapevine rootstock-scion combinations

Vines require proper light levels, temperature, and water availability, and climate change is modifying these factors, hampering yield and quality. Despite the large diversity of rootstocks, varieties, and clones, we still lack knowledge of their combined effects and potential role in a warmer and dryer future. Therefore, we aim to characterize some of the existing diversity of rootstocks and genotypes and their interaction at the eco-physiological level, combining stomatal conductance (gs) and chlorophyll a fluorescence analysis.

Cumulative effect of deficit irrigation and salinity on vine responses

Climate change is increasing water needs in most of the wine growing regions while reducing the availability and quality of water resources for irrigation. In this context, the sustainability of Mediterranean viticulture depends on grapevine responses to the combinations of water and salt stress. With this aim, this work studies the effects of deficit irrigation and salinity on the physiology of the Tempranillo cultivar (Vitis vinifera L.) grafted onto a drought and salinity tolerant rootstock (1103 Paulsen).

Combined abiotic-biotic plant stresses on the roots of grapevine

In the 19th century, devastating outbreaks of phylloxera (Daktulosphaira vitifoliae Fitch), almost brought European viticulture to its knees. Phylloxera does not only take energy in form of sugars from the vine, but also affects the up- and down- regulations of genes, acts as a carbon sink and reprograms the physiology of the grapevines, including nutrient uptake and the defense system [1]. A key trait of rootstocks is the ability to perform well under high lime conditions as about 30 % of the land surface has calcareous soil. Iron deficiency not only causes the well-known problems of lime-induced chlorosis and stunted growth, but also affects the entire plant metabolism.

Genetic prospecting of rainfed viticulture in the region with the largest cultivated area in Chile

The Maule region hosts up to a third of the total area of vineyards in Chile, in an environment where ancient practices inherited from the colonial past coexist with modernity and dynamism that include technified irrigation and fine vines. In the dry land of Maule there is a viticulture that has subsisted with ancient vines and traditions transmitted over generations, and there is little clarity about the origin and classification of the Maule viticulture, giving rise to the use of different concepts as synonyms to describe the ancient, minority, patrimonial or Criollas vines. In order to characterize and protect the ancient material, we studied the genetic diversity of a territorial collection that covers 80% of the communes of the region, prioritizing plants established more than 40-60 years ago.

The effect of ozonated water treatment on the metabolic profile and resistance of vines to Downy and powdery mildew 

Ozone is a potent oxidizing compound that quickly decomposes into oxygen without residues. Previous works reported that ozone is not only a disinfectant that directly harms the pathogens of the vine but also activates systemic defense systems in the plant by activating oxidative stress. We assume these systemic defense mechanisms are essential to the vines’ resistance to downy and powdery mildew (Plasmopara viticola & Erysiphe necator, respectively). The goals of the research are to examine the effect of spraying with ozone water on the plant’s resistance against the mentioned pathogens as well as to characterize the metabolic profile of the plants treated with ozone as well as physiological characteristics in the vines such as the level of Photosynthesis and crop yield. Vines in the vineyard sprayed with ozone water at concentrations of 2 and 4 PPM weekly and biweekly, untreated control & conventional spray. Leaves were taken from vines 2,4,7,9 and 11 days after exposure to ozone and inoculated with the pathogens.