Using nanopore skim-sequencing to characterise regional epigenetic variability in New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc

Chemical studies aiming at assessing how a wine reacts towards oxidation usually focus on the characterization of wine constituents, such as polyphenols, or oxidation products. As an alternative, the key oxidation intermediate hydrogen peroxide H2O2 has never been quantified, although it plays a pivotal role in wine oxidation. H2O2 is obtained from molecular oxygen as the result of a first cascade of oxidation reactions involving metal ions and polyphenols. The produced H2O2 then reacts in a second cascade of oxidation to produce reactive hydroxyl radicals that can attack almost any chemical substrate in wine.

Xinomavro is the most important indigenous red wine variety grown in Northern Greece. It participates in the production of several PGI wines in Macedonia while from 100% Xinomavro the PDO “Amyndeon” and “Naoussa” are produced. The viticultural area of Amyndeon lies in a plateau of 550 ‐700 m of altitude, in a semi‐continental climate with mostly deep sandy loamy soils derived from limestone and marl bedrocks while in Naoussa, Xinomavro is grown in a Mediterranean climate on more heavy textured soils, sandy clay loam to clay, derived from ophiolithic, limestone and marl bedrocks, in an altitude which varies from 150 to 400 m. Different soil, climate and viticultural technique interactions, result in great variability with respect to morphological, ampelographical and physiological characters of Xinomavro as well as in the characteristics of the wines produced. 

Increasing wildfire frequency in the United States has led to the indirect impact of smoke in vineyards, affecting grape quality and wine sensory attributes, commonly called “smoke taint”.

The Institut Français De La Vigne Et Du Vin (IFV) is conducting many experiments on innovative winegrowing practices, which are emerging in companies in the sector, or which are still at the R&D stage for agricultural suppliers. The purpose of these practices may be to reduce environmental impact, to adapt vineyards to climate change, or to achieve other technical, economic or social aims. Whatever the objective, it is necessary to verify the relevance of these new practices, and in particular their environmental relevance, i.e. That at the very least, the changes in practices do not increase the environmental impact of the technical itineraries.

Una de las biotecnologías más potentes para disminuir el pH en vinos de zonas cálidas y en variedades de pH elevado es el uso de la levadura no-saccharomyces lachancea thermotolerans. Esta especie es capaz de formar ácido láctico a partir de azúcares, reduciendo al mismo tiempo ligeramente el grado alcohólico. Por lo tanto, mejora dos de los principales problemas de los vinos de regiones afectadas por el calentamiento global. El ácido láctico es un ácido orgánico con una buena integración sensorial en el sabor del vino, y también química y biológicamente estable durante el envejecimiento del vino.