Development of a semi-controlled setup for manipulating drought and heat stress in open field trials

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.

Chile, junto con Australia, EE.UU., Sudáfrica, Argentina y Nueva Zelanda constituye el grupo de países del nuevo mundo vitivinícola. Todos ellos en conjunto han experimentado en la última década

Although the ripening process of grapevine berries is well-documented at the vineyard level, pinpointing distinct developmental stages remains challenging. The asynchronous development of berries results in dynamic biases and metabolic chimerism. It is thus crucial to consider individual berries separately and resynchronize their internal clock for deciphering physiological changes throughout development. Given the importance of grape composition in wine quality, we aimed at measuring developmental changes in the metabolome of Syrah single berries from anthesis to over-ripening, without a priori preconceived.

During red wine fermentation, the extraction of phenolics compounds and sufficient oxygen provision are critical for wine quality [1,2]. In this trial, we aimed at evaluating the kinetics of phenolic extraction and dissolved oxygen during red wine fermentations using the airmixing system. Twenty lots of red grape musts were fermented in 300.000 L tanks, equipped with airmixing, using two injection regimes (i.e., high and low intensity, and high and low daily frequency). An oxygen analyzer was introduced into the tanks in order to record the concentration of dissolved oxygen over time.

Flavonoids, including flavonols, anthocyanins, and tannins, are
important contributors to grape and wine quality, and their biosynthesis is strongly influenced by bunch microclimate. While the synergistic effect of light and temperature has been intensively examined on flavonoids in relation to bunch exposure, studies targeting the sole effect of high temperature have mostly
focused on anthocyanins during the ripening period. With tannin biosynthesis starting around flowering, heatwaves occurring earlier in the grape growing season could be critical. Only a few papers report the impact of temperature on tannin synthesis and accumulation; to date, none have examined the effect of high temperature extremes which, in the context of climate change, relates to increases in heatwave intensity.