Terroir 2016 banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 Electromagnetic conductivity mapping and harvest zoning: deciphering relationships between soil and wine quality

Electromagnetic conductivity mapping and harvest zoning: deciphering relationships between soil and wine quality

Abstract

Using electromagnetic conductivity mapping and GIS technology, we identified two unique soil zones within a 0.8-hectare Cabernet Franc block in central Virginia, USA. For three vintages we implemented a differential harvest and experimental winemaking based on soil zoning and noted that each zone produces unique wines despite the fact that both consist of the same rootstock, clone, row orientation, trellis system, vine age and undergo the same farming practices.

Significant differences observed between the two lots, particularly potassium (K+) levels and pH of the fruit and wine, have been consistent from vintage to vintage. Our findings suggest a relationship between soil physical characteristics, site hydrology, soil chemistry, nutrient levels in the vine and fruit, and wine chemistry (specifically K+ and pH).

DOI:

Publication date: June 23, 2020

Issue: Terroir 2016

Type: Article

Authors

Ernest BEASLEY IV, MS, CPG (1), Benoit PINEAU (2), Lucie MORTON (3)

(1) HydroGeo Environmental, LLC, 418 East Main Street, Charlottesville, Virginia 22902
(2) Pollak Vineyards, 330 Newtown Road, Greenwood, Virginia 22943
(3) Vitipiont International Research Centre, PO Box 5607, Charlottesville, Virginia 22905

Contact the author

Keywords

geophysics, viticulture, terroir, soil, management zoning, potassium, wine, precision viticulture

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Terroir 2016

Citation

Related articles…

Genotype-environment interaction of three cultivars of vitis vinifera L. cultivated in two different environments of the Ischia island: effect on production and quality; aspects of the quality of the obtained wines

Pendant une période de trois années le comportement productif et qualitatif de trois cépages tous indigènes de la région de Campania (Italie méridionale) dans deux terroirs de l’île d’Ischia a été étudié; ceci pour obtenir quelques indications préliminaires sur le comportement productif et qualitatif des cépages et sur la qualité des vins.

ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY OF INACTIVATED NON-SACCHAROMYCES YEASTS

The importance of the non-Saccharomyces yeasts (NSY) in winemaking has been extensively reviewed in the past for their aromatic or bioprotective capacity while, recently their antioxidant/antiradical potential has emerged under winemaking conditions. In the literature the antioxidant potential of NSY was solely explored through their capacity to improve glutathione (GSH) content during alcoholic fermen- tation [1], while more and more studies pointed out the activity of the non-glutathione soluble fraction released by yeasts [2].

WHICH IMPACT FOR PROANTHOCYANIDIC TANNINS ON RED WINE FRUITY AROMA? SENSORY AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL APPROACHES

Previous research on the fruity character of red wines highlighted the role of esters. Literature provides evidence that, besides these esters, other compounds that are not necessarily volatiles may have an important impact on the overall aroma of wine, contributing to a modulation of its global aromatic expression. The goal of this work was to assess the olfactory consequences of a mixture between esters and proanthocyanidic tannins, through sensory and physico-chemical approaches.
Sensory analysis of numerous aromatic reconstitutions, including triangular tests, detection thresholds, and sensory profiles, were conducted in order to evaluate the sensory impact of tannins on red wine esters perception.

Impact of winemaking processes on wine polysaccharides, improving by qNMR

Today the knowledge in terms of molecular composition of the colloidal matrix is ​​not enough in order to control its stability, according to the number of winemaking and wine stabilization processes. The physico-chemical processes during the winemaking change the composition and quantity of wine macromolecules. The goal today is to determine which analytical techniques will allow to discriminate these winemaking processes in order to better understand their impact on colloidal matrix stability as well as which molecules are responsible for its instabilities. METHODS: Wines obtained after conventional winemaking were subjected to different fining and chemical stabilization treatments. Different methods were used to investigate the wine macromolecular composition and stability after chemical stabilization, including quantitative and qualitative analyzes of total soluble polysaccharides by extraction under acidified ethanol, and by size exclusion separation as well as qNMR metabolomics. RESULTS: Observation of a slight difference at the quantitative level using classical analysis between the winemaking processes was observed as well as a strong discrimination by qNMR metabolomics.

Hormone metabolism regulates fruit maturation in a slow ripening grape genotype

Context and purpose of the study. Rising temperatures and prolonged heat accelerate berry sugar accumulation in advance of the accumulation of compounds responsible for aroma, colour and mouthfeel.