Functional characterisation of genetic elements regulating bunch morphology in grapevine

Until the second half of the nineteenth century, viticulture in Europe was free from phylloxera (Daktulosphaira vitifoliae) and grapevines were cultivated on their own roots. With the introduction of phylloxera in 1863, viticulture came under severe pressure as the pest eradicated more than 2.5 million hectares of viticultural area.

Red wines can undergo many undesirable changes during the winemaking process and storage, particularly oxidative degradation due to numerous atmospheric oxygen intakes. This spoilage can impact organoleptic properties and color stabilization but this impact depends on the wine composition. Phenolic compounds constitute primary targets to oxidation reactions

In the global economic context, an Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée must now more than ever control the typicity and originality of the wines it produces. It is in this spirit that the Côtes du Rhône have decided to acquire the means necessary for this control.

There is a growing interest in the exploitation of vine-shoots waste, since they are often left or burned. Sánchez-Gómez et al. [1] have shown that vines-shoots aqueous extracts have significant contents of bioactive compounds, among which several polyphenols and volatiles are highlighted. Recent studied had demonstrated that the chemical composition of vine-shoots is enhanced when vine-shoots are toasted
[2,3]. The application of vegetable products in the vineyards has led to significant changes towards a more “Sustainable Viticulture”. An innovative foliar application for Airén vine-shoot extracts have been carried out to the vineyard. It has been shown that they act as grape biostimulants, improving certain wine quality characteristics [4].

The choice of an adequate rootstock is a key tool to improve the performance of grapevine varieties in different ‘terroirs’, as rootstocks confer adaptation to soil characteristics