terclim by ICS banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 International Congress on Grapevine and Wine Sciences 9 2ICGWS-2023 9 Typicality of Rioja wines: identification of sensory profiles for the three subregions of DOCa Rioja

Typicality of Rioja wines: identification of sensory profiles for the three subregions of DOCa Rioja

Abstract

Within the DOCa Rioja three main production areas are differentiated: Rioja Alta (RA), Rioja Alavesa (RAv) and Rioja Oriental (RO). They are three diverse territories with particular characteristics that are claimed to give rise to differentiated profiles. The present work aims at evaluating the sensory diversity of young commercial red wines in these three subregions. Therefore 30 young red wines (mainly Tempranillo and vintage 2021), ten from each subregion, were sensory described following a non-verbal free sorting task and a verbal free comment task by 32 well-established Rioja winemakers. The sorting task evidenced that the main sensory differences perceived were between Rioja Oriental and Rioja Alta/Rioja Alavesa. These differences were mainly attributed to colour intensity, body/structure and liquorice aroma, which were perceived with higher intensity in wines from Rioja Alta/Rioja Alavesa than in those from Rioja Oriental. The free description task showed shared sensory profiles but also specific sensory profiles for each of the three regions. Rioja Alta and Alavesa display a common sensory profile characterised with high colour intensity and purple-violet hue, high aroma intensity with fresh fruit and lactic aromas and high acidity. Similarly, Rioja Alavesa and Oriental share a prototype of wine described with low colour and medium aromatic intensities, grassy and fresh aroma, and powerful tannin with low acidity. Regarding specific characteristics, Rioja Alta presents a unique and typical profile with high colour intensity, ripe fruit, spicy and balsamic/mint aromas with powerful tannins. Rioja Alavesa´s typical profile is characterised by medium colour intensity, gummy candy, fresh fruit, lactic and floral aroma, with silky, and mellow mouthfeel. The characteristic profile for Rioja Oriental was moderate colour intensity with ruby-garnet hue, dried fruit, jammy fruit, alcohol and spicy aromas and light in mouth. This project is of particular importance since it is the first-time scientific research tries to distinguish between the three subregions of DOCa Rioja and attempts to provide a sensory identity, contributing at the same time to a better understanding of the notion of typicity in wine.

Acknowledgements: This project was funded by the Instituto de Estudios Riojanos (call 2022).

DOI:

Publication date: October 13, 2023

Issue: ICGWS 2023

Type: Poster

Authors

A. Iosofidis1, M. Gonzalez-Hernandez1*, C. Castillo Rio1, P. Fernández-Zurbano1, M. P. Sáenz-Navajas1

1Instituto de Ciencias de la Vid y del Vino (Universidad de La Rioja-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Gobierno de La Rioja). Departamento de Enología, Logroño, La Rioja, Spain

Contact the author*

Keywords

designated origin, red wine, typicity, free description, sorting task

Tags

2ICGWS | ICGWS | ICGWS 2023 | IVES Conference Series

Citation

Related articles…

Effect of foliar application of urea and nano-urea on the cell wall of Monastrell grape skins

The foliar application of urea has been shown to be able to satisfy the specific nutritional needs of the vine as well as to increase the nitrogen composition of the must. On the other hand, the use of nanotechnology could be of great interest in viticulture as it would help to slow down the release of urea and protect it against possible degradation. Several studies indicate that cell wall synthesis and remodeling are affected by nitrogen availability.

Application of DEXI PM Vigne sustainability tool to the assessment of alternative vineyard protection strategies

Implementing alternative grapevine systems that incorporate sustainable strategies and innovative farming practices is essential. However, we lack tools for measuring the impact of these new practices on the overall sustainability of vineyards. DEXi PM Vigne (Gary et al., 2015) is a tool developed for ex ante assessment of the sustainability of grapevine cropping systems, from the plot to the farm scale. In the present study, we focused on implementing new strategies of integrated crop protection management with limited pesticide use in vineyards.

Water availability at budbreak time in vineyards that are deficitary irrigated during the summer: Effect on must volatile composition


In recent years, Mediterranean regions are being affected by marked climate changes, primarily characterized by reduced precipitation, greater concurrence of temperature extremes and drought during the growing season, and increased inter-annual variability in temperatures and rainfall. Generally, high-quality red wines need moderate water deficit. Hence, irrigation may be needed to avoid severe vine water stress occurring in some vintages and soils with low holding capacity. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of soil recharge irrigation in pre-sprouting and summer irrigation every week (30 % ETO) from the pea size state until the end of ripening (RP) compared to exclusively summer irrigation every week (R) in the same way that RP, on must volatile composition at harvest.

Physico-chemical properties of vine pruning residues with potential as enological additive

Grapes are one of the world’s primary fruit crops, and pruning activities generate high amounts of annual wood wastes [1]. These pruning shoots contain valuable phenolic compounds and could have numerous potential applications [1,2]. Consequently, the aim of this work was to evaluate the physico-chemical properties of vine pruning residues with potential as enological additives. For this purpose, grapevine shoots from 12 varieties grown in Chile were collected during the winter of 2021.

The interplay between water deficit and nitrogen and potassium nutrition in Vitis vinifera L.

Climate change is expected to provoke an increase in the frequency and intensity of drought events and water scarcity that will have detrimental effects on photosynthesis and plant yield. To sustain an appropriate plant yield under sub-optimal conditions, a common practice is the application of high amounts of fertilizers with negative environmental consequences. The present study aims at evaluating the interplay between water and nutrient availability, namely nitrogen (N) and potassium (K), in two grapevine cultivars with a different sensitivity to water shortage stress. Two-year-old Vitis Vinifera cv. Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache grapevine plants grafted on SO4 rootstock have been transferred in pots under semi-environmental conditions.