Physical-mechanical berry skin traits as powerful indicators of resistance to botrytis bunch rot

Grapevine downy mildew (GDM), caused by the oomycete Plasmopara viticola, is one of the most destructive diseases of Vitis vinifera worldwide. All V. vinifera cultivars are susceptible to P. viticola infection, and epidemics can spread across an entire vineyard within a matter of weeks. Severe outbreaks cause substantial reductions in yield and fruit quality. Tracking GDM spread by manual scouting is time-consuming and unfeasible over large spatial extents.

Protein stabilization is an important part of the winemaking process of white wines, and in this work we present the results of protein stabilization of different monovarietal wines (Xarel.lo, Chardonnay, and Muscat) by a continuous stabilizing filtration process using a column packed with zirconium oxide operating in a continuous regime in a closed loop at pilot scale.

The objective of this study was to develop a methodology capable of modeling the effect of viticultural climate on wine sensory characteristics.

In the old-world viticulture, there is a common but most often not scientifically proved consideration that supplemental irrigation should detrimentally affect berry and wine composition. In the semi-arid

ine nitrogen deficiency can negatively influence the aroma profile and ageing potential of white wines. Canopy management can alter vine microclimate, affect the nitrogen availability and influence the response of leaf senescence. Increasing the nitrogen availability to vines can increase the Yeast Assimilable Nitrogen (YAN) levels in harvested fruit and wine. Studies show that foliar nitrogen and sulphur applications at véraison, on low YAN Sauvignon blanc grapes have an effect on the level of amino acids (Jreij et al. 2009) and on S-containing compounds such as glutathione and thiols (Lacroux et al. 2008), which in turn can influence the formation of major volatiles and the aroma profile of the wine.