Investigating water stress-related seasonal and spatial patterns and the possible links with juice and wine compositional parameters

High temperatures influence plant development and induce a large set of physiological responses at the leaf scale. Stomatal closure is one of the most observed responses to high temperatures. This response is commonly considered as an adaptive strategy to reduce water loss and embolism in the vascular system caused by the high evaporative demand.

AIM Aiming to explore the possibility of shortening red winemaking maceration times (1,2), this study presents the effect of the application of high-power ultrasounds to crushed grapes, at winery-scale, on the content of varietal volatile compounds (free and glycosidically-bound) in musts and on the overall aroma of wines.

Context and purpose of the study. In regions where grapevines are grown under irrigation, like most regions in Argentina, the wine industry should adopt more sustainable strategies and production systems towards a higher water use efficiency and a reduction in no-renewable energy consumption.

Climate change is leading to a rise in average temperature and in the frequency and severity of heatwaves, and is already significantly disturbing grapevine phenology and berry composition. With the evolution of the weather of Australian grape growing regions that are already warm and hot, flavonoids, for which biosynthesis depends on bunch microclimate, are expected to be impacted. These compounds include anthocyanins and tannins which contribute substantially to grape and wine quality. The goals of this project were to determine if berry tannin accumulation is sensitive to high temperature and to enhance knowledge on upper temperature limits for viable wine production, in turn informing critical timing for mitigation strategies.

Nowadays, winemaking is dealing with great challenges, notably climate change, disease resistance and low pesticide inputs, desire for more sustainable agricultural productions and permanent changing of consumer preference.