terclim by ICS banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 IMPACT OF CLIMATIC ZONES ON THE AROMATIC PROFILE OF CORVINA WINES IN THE VALPOLICELLA REGION

IMPACT OF CLIMATIC ZONES ON THE AROMATIC PROFILE OF CORVINA WINES IN THE VALPOLICELLA REGION

Abstract

In Italy, in the past two decades, the rate of temperature increases (0.0369 °C per year) was slightly higher compared to the world average (0.0313 °C per year). It has also been indicated that the number and intensity of heat waves have increased considerably in the last decades. (IEA, 2022). Viticultural zones can be classified with climatic indexes. Huglin’s index (HI) considers the temperature in a definite area and has been considered as reliable to evaluate the thermal suitability for winegrape production (Zhang et al., 2023).

In this scenario, understanding the relationship between climatic conditions existing in specific grape growing areas and the composition of the grapes and wines composition grown in that particular region is of major interest. The aim of this project is to investigate the aromatic profile of Corvina grapes and wines in the Valpolicella region and how it is impacted by the different climatic zones. Valpolicella is a wine-making region found in the north of Italy in the zona of Veneto, it is divided into three zones (Valpolicella Classica, Valpantena, and Orientale). All zones are subdivided into valleys and hilly areas which can range from 30 up to 500 m a.s.l., this variation in altitudes plays a role in the climatic conditions.

First, the climatic zones were studied in the region. Data from 24 weather stations across this region showed that there are 5 different HI climatic zones from temperate to too hot. Based on this information, grapes were obtained from 16 different vineyards from three different climatic zones (warm temperate, warm, and very warm), in order to carry out micro vinifications and grape macerations. Vinification was carried out in triplicate with 800 g of Corvina grape in bottles of 1 L Saccharomyces cerevisiae AWRI 796 (Experti Srl) and potassium metabisulphite was added, and fermentation was carried at 22 °C until it reached a concentration of ~1 g/L of glucose-fructose. In addition, grape macerates were also prepared to investigate the varietal compounds in the absence of yeast activity. Grape macerates were carried out in triplicate with 500 g of Corvina grapes in bottles of 1 L with ethanol (15% w/w), potassium metabisulphite, and dimethyl decarbonate at 22 °C for 15 days.

For the quantification of alcohols, esters, fatty acids, benzenoids, terpenes, and volatile sulfur compounds, a combined analytical strategy involving SPE and SPME extraction methods followed by GC- MS analysis was used. Enological parameters were measured using a Biosystems Y15 multiparametric analyzer. Results will contribute to developing tailored strategies for climate change management for Valpolicella wines.

 

1. IEA. (2022). Italy climate resilience policy indicator – Analysis. https://www.iea.org/articles/italy-climate-resilience-poli-cy-indicator 
2. Zhang, P., Howell, K., Li, Y., Li, L., Wang, J., Eckard, R., & Barlow, E. W. R. (2023). Using historical weather data and a novel season temperature index to classify winegrape growing zones in Australia. Scientia Horticulturae, 307. https://doi. org/10.1016/j.scienta.2022.111516 

DOI:

Publication date: February 11, 2024

Issue: OENO Macrowine 2023

Type: Poster

Authors

Aldo Neill, Mendoza Santiago¹, Maurizio Ugliano¹

1. University of Veron

Contact the author*

Keywords

Corvina, huglin index, temperature increase, aroma profile

Tags

IVES Conference Series | oeno macrowine 2023 | oeno-macrowine

Citation

Related articles…

YEAST-PRODUCED VOLATILES IN GRAPE BASED SYSTEM MODEL ACTING AS ANTIFUNGAL BIOAGENTS AGAINST PHYTOPATHOGEN BOTRYTIS CINEREA

Botrytis cinerea Pers., the causal agent of grey mould disease, is responsible for substantial economic losses, as it causes reduction of grape and wine quality and quantity. Exploitation of antagonistic yeasts is a promising strategy for controlling grey mould incidence and limiting the usage of synthetic fungicides. In our previous studies, 119 different indigenous yeasts were screened for putative multidimensional modes of action against filamentous fungus B. cinerea [1]. The most promissing biocontrol yeast was Pichia guilliermondii ZIM624, which exhibited several anatagonistic traits (production of cell wall degrading enzymes, chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase; demonstration of in vitro inhibitory effect on B. cinerea mycelia radial growth; production of antifungal volatiles, assimilation of a broad diversity of carbon sources, contributing to its competitivnes in inhabiting grapes in nature).

ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY OF INACTIVATED NON-SACCHAROMYCES YEASTS

The importance of the non-Saccharomyces yeasts (NSY) in winemaking has been extensively reviewed in the past for their aromatic or bioprotective capacity while, recently their antioxidant/antiradical potential has emerged under winemaking conditions. In the literature the antioxidant potential of NSY was solely explored through their capacity to improve glutathione (GSH) content during alcoholic fermen- tation [1], while more and more studies pointed out the activity of the non-glutathione soluble fraction released by yeasts [2].

DETERMINATION OF MINERAL COMPOSITION IN CV. TERAN (VITIS VINIFERA L.) RED WINE AFFECTED BY PRE-FERMENTATIVE MASH COOLING, HEATING, SAIGNÉE TECHNIQUE AND PROLONGED POST-FERMENTATIVE MACERATIONS

This study aimed to determine mineral composition in red wine obtained from cv. Teran (Vitis vinifera L.), autochtonous Croatian grape variety. Six different vinification treatments, including the control treatment (7-day standard maceration), were performed to study the effects of: 48-hour pre-fermentative mash cooling (8 °C) followed by prolonged post-fermentative maceration of 13 days (C15), 28 days (C30), and saignée technique (juice runoff) proceeded with prolonged post-fermentative maceration of 13 days (CS15); and effect of 48-hour heating (50 °C) followed by prolonged post-fermentative maceration of 13 days (H15) and 28 days (H30) on macro- and microelements in wine.

ASSESSMENT OF ‘DOLCETTO’ GRAPES AND WINES FROM DIFFERENT AREAS OF OVADA DOCG

Dolcetto (Vitis vinifera L.) is one of the traditionally cultivated varieties in Piedmont (north-east Italy). Dolcetto wines have long been associated with local consumption and they are little known internationally. In particular, the Ovada area (south-east Piedmont), even if it represents a small share of the regional PDO Dolcetto production, is one of the oldest and vocated territory, giving wine also suitable for aging. In this study, the basic composition and phenolic content of Dolcetto grapes for Ovada DOCG wines have been investigated in three different vintages (2020-2022), as well as the main aspects of the derived commercial and experimental wines (basic parameters, phenolics, volatile compounds, sensory properties).

MOUSY OFF-FLAVOURS IN WINES: UNVEILING THE MICROORGANISMS BEHIND IT

Taints and off-flavours are one of the major concerns in the wine industry and even if the issues provoked by them are harmless, they can still have a negative impact on the quality or on the visual perception of the consumer. Nowadays, the frequency of occurrence of mousy off-flavours in wines has increased.
The reasons behind this could be the significant decrease in sulphur dioxide addition during processing, the increase in pH or even the trend for spontaneous fermentation in wine. This off-flavour is associated with Brettanomyces bruxellensis or some lactic acid bacteria metabolisms.