INVESTIGATING TERROIR TYPICITY: A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY BASED ON THE AROMATIC AND SENSORIAL PROFILES OF RED WINES FROM CORBIÈRES APPELLATION

Abstract

Volatile compounds play a significant role on the organoleptic properties defining wines quality. This particular role was exploited in several studies with the aim to differentiate wines from a more or less extensive production area, according to their sensory profile [1], as well as their chemical composition [2,3] (Di Paola-Naranjo et al., 2011; Kustos et al., 2020). Indeed, since aroma compounds development in grapes depends primarily on the environmental conditions of the vines and grapes (soil and climate), it is conceivable that these parameters craft the aromatic signature of the wine produced, in relation to its origin (Van Leeuwen et al., 2020). In this work, a general study on the aromatic and sensorial profile of wines produced in five sub-regions of the Corbières denomination, a renowned red grape varieties viticultural region in South France, was reported. The objective of this study was to identify the aroma compounds and sensorial descriptors enabling a discrimination of the five sub-regions, and to evaluate their link with the soil and climate characteristics of the geographical areas. The analyses were carried out on two vintages (2018 and 2019) on wines produced from a blend of the four main varieties (Syrah, Grenache, Carignan and Mourvèdre). Aroma compounds were analyzed by HS-SPME-GC-MS in full scan mode and 44 compounds had significantly different concentrations among the zones. Several chemical families of compounds were highlighted as being more significantly present in wines of certain regions. The significant presence of those varietal (e.g. linalool, C13-norisoprenoids) or fermentative aromas (higher alcohols and ethyl and acetate esters) in a particular geographical area could be linked to soil features, climate vintage conditions and topographical traits (sunlight exposition, altitude, etc.). Sixteen sensorial descriptors were assessed and wines were compared by Quantitative Descriptive Analysis (QDA) profile method. Descriptors that appeared significant were linked to some aromatic com-pounds identified (e.g. β-damascenone and cooked red fruits) as well as related between each other (e.g. humus and amylic). In a process of subdivision of the denomination, this study allowed a first chemical and sensorial characterization of these terroirs, proposing valuable elements in the definition of the typicity of wines.