From genes to vineyards: system biology and new breeding technologies for water stress tolerance in grapevines

The temperature increase related to ongoing climate changes is causing a progressive anticipation of the ripening time, negatively affecting grape quality at harvest.

The present work aimed to compare different control strategies for mealybugs (Planococcus ficus). The adaptive research experience was carried out in a vineyard of Tolombón, Cafayate, Salta (Argentina), in 2015/2016 period, in Cabernet Sauvignon variety, in vertical shoot.

The photosynthetic characteristics of twenty varieties of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) from Mallorca (Balearic Islands, Spain) and two widespread varieties

The impact of toasting process to produce aroma from oak wood intrinsic composition is well documented. It is admitted that such complexity contribute to the wine quality after barrel ageing. Despite our knowledge on the molecular identification of aroma impact compounds of oak wood, little research have been carried out, on a sensory level, on the aroma diversity of toasted oak wood.

Polysaccharides and more specifically pectins, make up a significant portion of the cell wall material of the plant cells including the grapes. During the fruit ripening the associated softening is related to the breakdown of the cell wall polysaccharides. During this process, it is expected that polysaccharides that are soluble in red wine will be formed influencing its texture. Anthocyanins are responsible for the wine color and tannins for the astringency, body and bitterness of the wine. In the skins, these compounds are located in the cell vacuoles and the barrier that conditions their extractability is the skin cell wall that may determine the mechanical resistance, the texture and the ease of processing berries. The aim of this work was study the evolution of the polysaccharides and the anthocyanin and tannin extractability during the ripening period in Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, trying to correlate these variables.