terclim by ICS banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 SIP and save the planet: a sensory and consumer exploration of australian wines made from potentially drought-tolerant white wine grapes

SIP and save the planet: a sensory and consumer exploration of australian wines made from potentially drought-tolerant white wine grapes

Abstract

In order to attenuate the effects of climate change on the ability to cultivate quality wine grape vines in Australia, it is essential to adapt to the projected less favourable Australian climate scenarios. One response may be to convert a portion of the current grapevine plantings to those varieties that demand less water and can tolerate increased heat. This investigation aimed to (i) generate sensory profiles and (ii) obtain knowledge about Australian wine consumers’ preferences and opinions of Australian wines made from potentially drought tolerant, white wine grape varieties not traditionally cultivated in Australia. A Rate-All-That-Apply (RATA) sensory panel (n = 49) generated sensory profiles of 44 commercial white wines made from 7 different white grape varieties (Arinto, Fiano, Garganega, Greco, Verdejo, Verdelho and Vermentino), plus two benchmark examples each of an Australian Riesling, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay wine. All wines underwent basic chemical analyses and a subset of 10 wines was subjected to preference trials with Australian white wine consumers (n = 102) who consumed white wine at least monthly. Consumers liked 9 of the 10 wines, scoring them greater than 5 on a 9-point hedonic scale. Verdejo and Garganega, the second and third most liked wines, could potentially be offered as an alternative to Pinot Gris, due to their similar sensory attributes. Arinto and Greco could become alternative wines to Chardonnay; and Fiano to Riesling. These findings provide more accurate information about the potential performance of these new wines in the Australian market and suggest wine producers could provide alternative wine styles which meet the taste specifications of this competitive market, yet promote a more sustainable grape and wine industry as it faces the impact of climate change. The adoption of drought tolerant varieties will potentially reduce the amount of water needed for irrigation, increase yield and income. Moreover, sustainable Australian wine products may introduce a point of difference in the current global market.

 

1. Mezei, L. V., Johnson, T. E., Goodman, S., Collins, C., & Bastian, S. E. P. (2021). Meeting the demands of climate change: Austra-lian consumer acceptance and sensory profiling of red wines produced from non-traditional red grape varieties. Oeno One, 55(2). https://doi.org/10.20870/oeno-one.2021.55.2.4571
2. Danner, L., Crump, A. M., Croker, A., Gambetta, J. M., Johnson, T. E., & Bastian, S. E. P. (2018). Comparison of rate-all-that-ap-ply and descriptive analysis for the sensory profiling of wine. American Journal of Enology and Viticulture, 69(1).

DOI:

Publication date: February 9, 2024

Issue: OENO Macrowine 2023

Type: Article

Authors

Laura V. Mezei¹, Lira Souza Gonzaga¹, Trent E. Johnson¹, Steve Goodman², Cassandra Collins¹ and Susan E. P. Bastian¹*

Department of Wine Science, School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, Waite Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, PMB 1, Glen Osmond, South Australia 5064, Australia
2 The University of Adelaide Business School, South Australia 5005, Australia

Contact the author*

Keywords

Rate-All-That-Apply, drought tolerant, sensory profiles, consumer acceptance

Tags

IVES Conference Series | oeno macrowine 2023 | oeno-macrowine

Citation

Related articles…

INFLUENCES OF SO2 ADDITION AND STORAGE CONDITIONS IN THE DETERMINATION OF MEAN DEGREE OF POLYMERIZATION OF PROANTHOCYANIDINS IN AGED RED WINES

The structural diversity is one of the most remarkable characteristics of proanthocyanidins (PA). Indeed, PA in wines may vary in the B-ring and C-ring substitutes, the C-ring stereochemistry, the degree of polymerization (DP) and the linkage between the monomers. Knowing in detail the structural characteristics of the PA of a wine can help us to understand and modulate several sensorial characteristics of the wine, such as color, antioxidant properties, flavor, and mouthfeel properties. In the last years was discovered and confirmed the presence of sulfonated monomeric and oligomeric flavan-3-ols in wine [1], as well as was pointed out their importance in wine quality [1,2].

PHENOTYPIC DIVERSITY AND BIO-PROTECTION CAPABILITY OF METSCHNIKOWIA SP. IN OENOLOGY

Nowadays, the trend is to reduce the use of chemical inputs in the food sector, including in oenology. One of the inputs widely used in the wine making process are sulfites, for its several properties: antimicrobial and antioxidiant. This use isn’t without consequences on consumer’s health and environment, it can lead for example to allergic reactions and pollution. To limit the addition of chemical inputs, microbial alternatives are used. It consists to inoculate in grape must, a micro-organism able to inhibit the growth of the negative indigenous flora during the phase before the fermentation and to guarantee the sensory qualities of wines.

Molecular approaches for understanding and modulating wine taste

Wine consumers generally demand wines having a perception of softer tannins and less ripe, having a heaviness and richness on palate (full-body wine) with a limpid and stable color. However, polyphenol
(tannins)-rich wines have been also correlated with unpleasant taste properties such as astringency and
bitterness when perceived at high intensities. Modulating these unpleasant properties could be important for consumer’s approval of wines.

CHARACTERIZATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF YEAST BIOACTIVE PEPTIDES RELEASED DURING FERMENTATION AND AUTOLYSIS IN MODEL WINE

Aging wine on lees is a consolidated practice during which some yeast components (e.g., polysaccharides,
proteins, peptides) are released and solubilized in wine thus, affecting its stability and quality.
Apart from the widely studied mannoproteins, the role of other yeast components in modulating wine
characteristics is still scarce. Wine peptides have been studied for their contribution to taste, antioxidant,
and antihypertensive potentials. However, the peptides detected in wine can be influenced by the
interaction between yeasts and grape components.

TANNINS AND ANTHOCYANINS KINETICS OF EXTRACTION FROM ARINARNOA, MARSELAN AND TANNAT UNDER DIFFERENT WINEMAKING TECHNIQUES

Marselan wines have an unusual high proportion of seed derived tannins from grapes having high proportions of skins, which are rich in tannins. But the causes behind this characteristic have not yet been identified. In vintage 2023 wines were made at experimental scale (9 kg by experimental unit) from Arinarnoa, Marselan and Tannat Vitis vinifera grape cultivars by traditional maceration, and by techniques aimed to increase the wine content in skin derived tannin: addition of extraction enzymes, addition at vatting of grape-skin enological tannins, or by extended maceration, known to increase the seed derived tannin contents of wines.