Terroir 2016 banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 Using a grape compositional model to predict harvest time and influence wine style

Using a grape compositional model to predict harvest time and influence wine style

Abstract

Linking wine composition to fruit composition is difficult due to the numerous biochemical pathways and substrate transformations that occur during fermentation. Grape composition regulates the production and final concentrations of most wine aroma compounds, as exemplified by methoxypyrazine and rotundone concentrations in wine being confidently predicted from the corresponding grape concentration. However, the final concentrations of many compounds in wines (aromatic and non-aromatic) are substantially dependent on the winemaking process.
The aim of this study was to better understand grape flavour evolution in relation to wine composition and subsequent wine style using sequential harvests (n=3). To achieve this goal, Shiraz was chosen as a model variety across two different climatic regions (warm-hot and cool-temperate) in New South Wales, Australia. The objective was not to compare the two regions but to assess the consistency of grape flavour evolution over the ripening period.

Irrespective of the region, a clear separation of samples was noted according to the harvest stage. Shiraz wines from the first harvest (H1) were associated with red fruit descriptors and higher acidity. Wines from the third harvest (H3) were correlated with dark fruit characters and a higher perception of alcohol. Higher concentrations of some higher alcohol acetates, dimethyl sulfide and lower concentrations of Z-3-hexenol, ethyl isobutyrate and ethyl leucate were measured in H3 wines.
Irrespective of the environment, this study demonstrated that in Shiraz, a common evolution of grape flavours exists, influencing the final wine sensory properties. Furthermore, during the late ripening stage, no direct nexus was observed between sugar concentration and grape and wine flavour evolution.

DOI:

Publication date: June 24, 2020

Issue: Terroir 2016

Type: Article

Authors

Alain DELOIRE (1), Katja ŠUKLJE (1), Guillaume ANTALICK (1), John BLACKMAN (1,2), Leigh SCHMIDTKE (1,2)

(1) National Wine and Grape Industry Centre, Charles Sturt University, Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia
(2) School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia

Contact the author

Keywords

fruit and wine composition, wine sensory profile, sequential harvest, regionality, climate, volatiles, multivariate data analyses

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Terroir 2016

Citation

Related articles…

Influenza delle componenti climatiche e pedologiche sulla variabilità dei contenuti polifenolici in alcuni ambienti vitati della DOCG Sagrantino di Montefalco

Obiettivo del progetto è la valutazione dell’influenza climatica e pedologica dell’areale di Montefalco sul vitigno Sagrantino, ponendo particolare attenzione alla componente polifenolica e antocianica. Sono stati quindi messi a confronto, a partire dal 2001 fino al 2008, sei differenti zone tutte situate all’interno dell’areale DOCG Sagrantino di Montefalco; per ciascun vigneto alla vendemmia sono state effettuate analisi sui parametri analitici e sul contenuto polifenolico e antocianico delle uve. Ognuna delle sei zone è inoltre stata caratterizzata dal punto di vista pedoclimatico, valutando l’influenza del clima e della tipologia di suolo sui parametri analitici presi in considerazione.

Il Cabernet di Atina dal 1850 al giorni nostri: un esempio di valorizzazione del territorio

In the province of Frosinone from 1850 they are cultivated in some zones wine grape of French origin like Merlot, Cabernet franc Cabernet sauvignon, Sirah, Pinot noir. The insertion of these varieties was the work of Pasquale Visocchi in the great company of family “Fratelli Visocchi Proprietari” (F. V.P.).

Changing New Zealand climate equals a changing New Zealand terroir?

Changing New Zealand climate equals a changing New Zealand terroir

Do we have convergence or divergence in firms’ production and business practices in the global wine industry? 

Wine production is a globally significant and intricate industry, characterized by diverse regions, grape varieties, and producers. Competitive advantage in wine production and marketing arises from localized natural attributes known as terroir, combined with transferable expertise in agronomic practices, winemaking methods, packaging, distribution, and marketing. Wine is a very globalized product with 40% of the total output exported. Globalization has prompted discussions on convergence of business and production practices across industries, driven by technological progress and adoption of international standards. However, persisting differences in cultural norms, institutional frameworks, and regulatory environments hinder full convergence.

Effect of vigour and number of clusters on eonological parameters and metabolic profile of Cabernet Sauvignon red wines

Vegetative growth and yield are reported to affect grape and wine quality. They can be controlled through different techniques linked to vine management. The objective of this research was to determine the effect of vine vigour and number of clusters per vine on physicochemical composition and phenolic profile of red wines. The experiment was carried out during two vegetative cycles, with cv. Cabernet Sauvignon grafted onto Paulsen 1103. Three vine vigour were defined, according to shoot weight at previous harvests, being low, medium and high. Five treatments of number of clusters were used for each vigour, with 15, 22, 29, 36, and 45 clusters per vine. Grapes from all treatments were harvested in the same day from Brix and total acidity criteria. Thirty days after bottling, classical analyzes and phenolic compounds were performed. As results, different responses were obtained from each vintage. In 2020, a dry season from veraison to harvest, grapes and wines obtained from low vigour treatment and 45 clusters per vine was the highest in sugar and alcohol content respectively, while grapes and wines from high vigour and 15 clusters presented the lowest sugar and alcohol content. Total anthocyanins were higher in treatment with low vigour and 15 clusters, while the lowest amounts were found in low vigour with 45 clusters, as well as medium and high vigour with 36 clusters per vine. Total tannins were higher in high vigour with 22 clusters and medium vigour with 29 clusters, while were lower in low vigour with 36 clusters. In 2021, a wet season at harvest, responses were different, and great variations were observed between treatments. As conclusions, yield and vine vigour had strong influence on grape and wine quality, promoting different enological potentials on which can be indicated/used for aging strategies of red and even rosé wines.