Macrowine 2021
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 The effect of Nitrogen and Sulphur foliar applications in hot climates

The effect of Nitrogen and Sulphur foliar applications in hot climates

Abstract

Vine nitrogen deficiency can negatively influence the aroma profile and ageing potential of white wines. Canopy management can alter vine microclimate, affect the nitrogen availability and influence the response of leaf senescence. Increasing the nitrogen availability to vines can increase the Yeast Assimilable Nitrogen (YAN) levels in harvested fruit and wine. Studies show that foliar nitrogen and sulphur applications at véraison, on low YAN Sauvignon blanc grapes have an effect on the level of amino acids (Jreij et al. 2009) and on S-containing compounds such as glutathione and thiols (Lacroux et al. 2008), which in turn can influence the formation of major volatiles and the aroma profile of the wine. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of different foliar fertilization (spray applications) on the chemical and sensory composition of Vitis vinifera L. cv. Sauvignon blanc and Chenin blanc musts and wines. A Sauvignon blanc plot in the Elgin area and a Chenin blanc plot in the Somerset West area (Western Cape, South Africa), with naturally low nitrogen status, were sprayed three weeks and one week prior véraison. Urea (10 kg/ha) was used for the nitrogen application (N), elemental micronized sulphur (5 kg/ha) for the sulphur application (S), and combined urea (10 kg/ha) and elemental micronized sulphur (5 kg/ha) were used for the sulphur and nitrogen application (N+S). The applications were sprayed on the foliage of the vines and the control received no applications. Analysis of YAN, non-volatile and volatile compounds, namely volatile thiols, major volatiles, fatty acids, esters, alcohols, monoterpenes, and glutathione were done to evaluate the differences between the treatments. Sensory evaluation was performed by expert tasters using a free sorting method at two different stages of aging (3 months and 9 months after bottling). The YAN levels in the grapes were higher in the N and N+S applications compared to the control. The wines produced from the S and N+S applications contained more 3-mercapto-hexanol (3MH) and 3-mercaptohexyl-acetate (3MHA) compounds. Therefore with sufficient nitrogen and sulphur in the vines there may be an increase in aromatic quality and ageing potential of the Sauvignon blanc and Chenin blanc vines.

References
Jreij, R. et al., 2009. Combined effects of soil-applied and foliar-applied nitrogen on the nitrogen composition and distribution in water stressed Vitis Vinifera L. cv Sauvignon blanc grapes. J. Int. Sci. Vigne Vin, 43(4), pp.179–187. Lacroux, F. et al., 2008. Effect of foliar nitrogen and sulphur application on aromatic expression of Vitis vinifera L. cv. Sauvignon blanc. J Int Sci Vigne Vin, 42(3), pp.125–32.

Publication date: May 17, 2024

Issue: Macrowine 2016

Type: Poster

Authors

Astrid Buica*, Aleta Bruwer, Wessel du Toit

*Stellenbosch University

Contact the author

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Macrowine | Macrowine 2016

Citation

Related articles…

Effect of ageing with Specific Inactivated Dry Yeasts on the volatile composition of Sauvignon Blanc and Carménère wines

Úbeda-Aguilera, C a, b, Peña-Neira, A.b Del Barrio-Galán, R.b, c a Biomedical Sciences Institute, Science Faculty, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Chile. b Department of Agro-Industry and Enology, Faculty of Agronomical Sciences, University of Chile, Post Office Box 1004, Santa Rosa 11315, La Pintana, Santiago, Chile c Lallemand Inc. Chile y Compañía Limitada, Rosario Norte 407, piso 6, Las Condes, Santiago, Chile The wine is a complex matrix made up of several compounds which can interact among themselves throughout the wine ageing process, thereby modifying their sensorial characteristics. It is well known that during ageing of wines on lees, polysaccharides (mainly mannoproteins) can be released and can interact with the aromatic fraction modifying its volatility.

Anthocyanin accumulation and extractability during the maturation of the grapes of three varieties

Anthocyanin accumulation and extractability were studied in Tannat, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes produced in the south of Uruguay in two consecutive seasons. Typical cultivation situations employed in the region for each variety were considered. A follow-up was carried out, considering 60 plants per vineyard, and the harvest was determined according to the technological indices of maturity. Samples of grapes were taken in duplicate in each vineyard periodically along grape maturation. The basic composition, polyphenolic potential and anthocyanin extractability were determined. Also, half of grapes were frozen and later peeled; skin extractions over 24 hs with a solution of 12% ethanol and pH 3.2 were carried out. The anthocyanin contents of the extracts obtained were determined by HPLC-DAD. The levels of anthocyanins reached the highest values before technological maturity. Anthocyanin extractability had a decrease during grape maturation.

WineMetrics: A new approach to unveil the “wine-like aroma” chemical feature

“The Human being has an excellent ability to detect and discriminate odors but typically has great difficulty in identifying specific odorants”(1). Furthermore, “from a cognitive point of view the mechanism used to judge wines is closer to pattern recognition than descriptive analysis.” Therefore, when one wants to reveal the volatile “wine-like feature” pattern recognition techniques are required. Sensomics is one of the most recent “omics”, i.e. a holistic perspective of a complex system, which deals with the description of substances originated from microorganism metabolism that are “active” to human senses (2). Depicting the relevant volatile fraction in wines has been an ongoing task in recent decades to which several research groups have allocated important resources. The most common strategy has been the “target approach” in order to identify the “key odorants” for a given wine varietal.

Oligosaccharides in red wines: could their structure and composition be influenced by the grape-growing

Oligosaccharides have only recently been characterized in wine, and the information on composition and content is still limited. In wine, these molecules are mainly natural byproducts of the degradation of grape berry cell wall polysaccharides. Wine oligosaccharides present several physicochemical properties, being one relevant factor linked to the astringency perception of wines (1,2). A terroir can be defined as a grouping of homogeneous environmental units based on the typicality of the products obtained. This notion is particularly associated with wine, being the climate and the soil two of the major elements of terroir concept.

Characterization of non-Saccharomyces yeast and its interaction with Saccharomyces cerevisiae with investigation of fermentation kinetics and aromatic composition

[lwp_divi_breadcrumbs home_text="IVES" use_before_icon="on" before_icon="||divi||400" module_id="publication-ariane" _builder_version="4.20.4" _module_preset="default" module_text_align="center" module_font_size="16px" text_orientation="center"...