OENO IVAS 2019 banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 Sensory evaluation of grape berries: predictive power for sensory properties of Sauvignon blanc, Riesling and Pinot noir wines

Sensory evaluation of grape berries: predictive power for sensory properties of Sauvignon blanc, Riesling and Pinot noir wines

Abstract

Sensory analysis of grape berries is a common tool to evaluate the degree of grape maturation and to make sound picking decisions. However, most of it is based on anecdotal knowledge and scientific studies relating berry and wine properties are rather limited [1]. 

Ten grapes of each variety (Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Noir) were picked weekly. Berries were dissected manually to obtain berries with intact peduncles. Using sucrose solutions of different densities, berries were separated into three density fractions of 1.070, 1.080, and 1.090. Three individual berries were assessed of each density group on each picking date. White and red wines were made from grapes picked concurrently with berry samples and were fermented in duplicates [2]. 

For Sauvignon Blanc 13 out of 21 visual, haptic, odor and taste attributes varied significantly among the three picking dates. Firmness and yellow color of the berries and brown color of the seeds and bitter berry skins yielded the largest F-ratios. Green notes in pulp and skin decreased during ripening. Variation of grape berry density yielded 14 significant attributes, including sweet and sour taste as well as fruity perception [2]. 

In a PCA the first PC was governed by ripe versus unripe attributes, while PC2 was dominated by presence versus absence of green odors in pulp and skin. Sensory evaluation revealed better grouping by density than grouping by picking date. 

Correlating berry and wine sensory brown seeds and sweet pulp correlated with increased peach and passionfruit notes in the wines. However, no correlation was found for green notes depicted in berries and green bell pepper nuances in the wines or fruity aspects in the berry and passion fruit / peach intensities in the wine. 

In conclusion, berry sensory yields a good characterization of the ripening process as well as technological grape properties, but is rather limited in the prediction of wine sensory properties. 

[1] Winter, E, Whiting, J., Rousseau, J. Berry Sensory Assessment, 2004, Winetitles, Adelaide, Australia 
[2] Nopora, J., Klink, S., Fischer, U. Reifeprüfung – Aussagekraft der Beerensensorik bei der Reifemessung, 2018, Der Deutsche Weinbau 17/18, pg. 26-30

DOI:

Publication date: June 19, 2020

Issue: OENO IVAS 2019

Type: Article

Authors

Ulrich Fischer, Julia Nopora

Rebschule Freytag, 67435 Lachen-Speyerdorf, Germany
Breitenweg 71, 67435 Neustadt an der Weinstraße, Germany

Contact the author

Keywords

Sensory evaluation, grape berry, grape maturity, wine 

Tags

IVES Conference Series | OENO IVAS 2019

Citation

Related articles…

Beyond classical statistics – data fusion coupled with pattern recognition

AIM: Patterns in data obtained from wine chemical and sensory evaluations are difficult to infer using classical statistics.

Acetaldehyde-induced condensation products in red wines affect the precipitation of salivary proteins. Will this impact astringency?

Acetaldehyde is a common component of wine. It is already formed during the fermentation being an intermediate in the production of ethanol. Moreover, it can derive from the oxidation of ethanol during the wine production and aging. In wine, concentrations of acetaldehyde range from 30 to 130 mg/L. Acetaldehyde in wine can react with many compounds such as SO2, amino acids and

Fungal communites diversity and functional roles of different types of Botrytis cinerea infected grape berries on different growing sites

Botrytis cinerea, an Ascomycota pathogen with a broad host range, infects over 1200 plant species. Grapes infected by this pathogen, which subsequently develop a noble rot, remain in the vineyard for an extended period, thus being exposed to a diverse array of physical, chemical and biological factors, which give rise to a complex microbial community.

What drives Indications of Geographical Origin protection and governance mechanisms in the U.S. and European contexts? A contribution of the social sciences

There are fundamentally two different ways in which indications of geographical origin (igos) can be protected. The us approach favors the pre-existing trademark system through collective marks (cms), while the eu approach favors a maximalist approach via a sui generis system which promotes appellations of origin (aos). A consensus however emerges regarding the fundamental protection of origin against misleading, confusing and dilutive uses. Previous literature discusses these competing igo logics from historical, legal and international trade perspectives. In this paper, we depart from the field of social sciences, in particular from recent advancements in the well-established literature on proximities, in order to provide a reflection on the different logics underpinning the aos and cms systems.

Estimating bulk stomatal conductance of grapevine canopies

In response to changes in their environment, grapevines regulate transpiration using various physiological mechanisms that alter conductance of water through the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum. Expressed as bulk stomatal conductance at the canopy scale, it varies diurnally in response to changes in vapor pressure deficit and net radiation, and over the season to changes in soil water deficits and hydraulic conductivity of both soil and plant. It is necessary to characterize the response of conductance to these variables to better model how vine transpiration also responds to these variables. Furthermore, to be relevant for vineyard-scale modeling, conductance is best characterized using data collected in a vineyard setting. Applying a crop canopy energy flux model developed by Shuttleworth and Wallace, bulk stomatal conductance was estimated using measurements of individual vine sap flow, temperature and humidity within the vine canopy, and estimates of net radiation absorbed by the vine canopy. These measurements were taken on several vines in a non-irrigated vineyard in Bordeaux France, using equipment that did not interfere with ongoing vineyard operations. An inverted Penman-Monteith equation was then used to calculate bulk stomatal conductance on 15-minute intervals from July to mid-September 2020. Time-series plots show significant diurnal variation and seasonal decreases in conductance, with overall values similar to those in the literature. Global sensitivity analysis using non-parametric regression found transpiration flux and vapor pressure deficit to be the most important input variables to the calculation of bulk stomatal conductance, with absorbed net radiation and bulk boundary layer conductance being much less important. Conversely, bulk stomatal conductance was one of the most important inputs when calculating vine transpiration, further emphasizing the need for characterizing its response to environmental changes for use in vineyard water use modeling.