Molecular characterization of a variegated grapevine mutant cv Bruce’s Sport

Wine is often described with emotional terms, such as surprising, disappointing or pleasant. However, very little has been done to really characterize this link between emotions and wine. Can it really bring emotions to wine tasters? Many studies have looked at the extrinsic factors that can improve the emotional

Many volatile compounds of different chemical/biochemical origin contribute to wine aroma. Certain key ‘varietal’ aroma compounds such as methoxypyrazines are formed in the grape and appear to be only scarcely influenced by fermentation.

Increasing pressures from both biotic and abiotic stresses threaten grapevine health and vineyard productivity worldwide. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculants have been shown to offer a promising bio-based alternative to mitigate abiotic stress and pathogen attack by enhancing nutrient uptake, water relations, and plant defence mechanisms.

In Valtellina zone (north Italy), the winemaking of ‘Nebbiolo’ grapes leads to the production of two main wine types: classic red wines from fresh grapes, usually classified as Valtellina Superiore DOCG (mandatory oak aging) or Rosso di Valtellina DOC, and the Sforzato di Valtellina DOCG, which is produced using withered grapes according to traditional product specification and subjected to mandatory oak aging process. The withering process influences grape chemical composition and, in turn, the wine sensory profile, which is strongly linked to the wine quality and typicity perceived by consumers.

Mycobiota from vine-to-wine is highly diverse and can affect grape quality at harvest as well as wine sensory properties, sometimes leading to off-flavors.