Exploring the regulatory role of the grapevine MIXTA homologue in cuticle formation and abiotic stress resilience

In red wine production, phenolic maturity is becoming increasingly important. Anthocyanins, flavonoids and total polyphenols content and availability significantly influence the harvest time of wine grapes while, during vinification process, their extraction strongly affects wine body, color and texture

Mendoza is one of Argentina’s most important and outstanding wine regions producing the renowned Malbec wines due to its optimal soil and weather conditions. However, the effects of 21st-century climate change would negatively impact Malbec wines quality. This study investigated the effect of temperature increase and the impact of plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA) used to mitigate the negative effect of temperature increase on Malbec wines aromatic composition through GC-MS. Four treatments were applied on vines at field condition: Control, Control + 3 ºC, ABA and ABA + 3 ºC.

Nel presente studio si è ricercata la possibilità di associare l’uva al territorio mediante parametri chimici indipendenti da variabili climatiche ed antropiche.

Fungal bunch rots of grapes cause major losses to grape yield worldwide, yet the impact these moulds have on grape and wine quality is not well characterised. We sought to investigate the formation of unwanted volatile compounds of fungal origin in both synthetic grape juice culture media and in inoculated grape berries. Botrytis cinerea, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus carbonarius, or Pencillium expansum were grown in synthetic grape juice medium and the culture homogenates analysed 4 and 7 days post inoculation. HS-SPME-GC-MS analysis of the culture homogenates 4 days post inoculation demonstrated that each of the fungi examined produced varying quantities of the mushroom or fungus-like aroma compounds, 1-Octen-3-ol, 1-Octen-3-one and 3-Octanone with A. carbonarius producing up to ten times the amounts of all three metabolites per mg of dry mycelium.

Table grapes, being consumed as fresh, raisins, and transformed products are among the most appreciated fruits worldwide. Its popularity is increasing also due to its organoleptic and nutritional qualities that meet the consumers’ interest in healthier foods. Recent data from International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV) revealed that table grape production has doubled in the last twenty years, and varietal availability has increased thanks to the several breeding programs.
To maintain the socio-economic impact of this sector, new challenges need to be addressed.