Exploring the inner secrets of grapevine: a journey through plant-microbe interactions

Establish relationships between taste and mouthfeel properties of grapes and tannin-related chemical parameters. Tempranillo Tinto and Garnacha Tinta grapes were harvested from distinct blocks in different dates; each sample collection date was separated by one week. Grapes were destemmed and macerated in 15% of ethanol for one week. The polyphenolic fraction (PF) of samples was submitted to solid phase extraction on C18 cartridges and recovered with ethanol. PFs were reconstituted in wine model and their taste and mouthfeel properties were characterised by rate-K-attributes methodology. In parallel, concentration (TC) and activity (TAc) of tannins as well as the concentration of tannins linked to anthocyanins (T-A) were determined using HPLC-UV–VIS.

AIM: The increasing incidences of wildfires in wine grape growing regions pose a significant risk. Persistent exposure to smoke can compromise the quality and value of wine grapes and adversely affect wines made from smoke exposed grapes.

Modern agriculture employs large amounts of plastics, such as mulching and greenhouse films, thermal covers, plant protection tubes and tying tape. The latter two types are very common in viticulture. Guard tubes are employed to protect young vines from mechanic and atmospheric damage, whilst polymeric tying tape has replaced natural-origin materials to hold the canopy of vines. Both materials are made on synthetic polymers, which include a range of additives to improve their environmental stability remaining in the environment of vineyards for years. During this time, they are exposed to the range of pesticides (fungicides, insecticides and in a lesser extend herbicides) applied to vines.

Italy is a rich hub of viticultural biodiversity harboring hundreds of indigenous grape varieties that have adapted over centuries to the diverse climatic and geographic conditions of its regions. Preserving this biodiversity is essential for maintaining a diversified genetic pool, crucial for addressing future challenges such as climate change and emerging plant diseases. Rising temperatures, precipitation pattern variations, and extreme weather events can affect grape ripening, crop quality, and contribute to disease development. Integrated disease management necessitates exploration of novel strategies. Biotechnologies emerge as a significant player in tackling modern viticulture challenges.

Da dove scaturisce tutto l’interesse attuale per il terroir? Si provi, per dare risposta a questo quesito, ad immaginare il vino avulso dalla sua dimensione territoriale. Cosa si otterrebbe? Un vino bianco, un vino rosso o quant’altro, ma comunque un prodotto privo di conno­tazione geografica, di premesse storiche, di radici tradizionali, di potere evocativo, di iden­tità e di personalità.