Can the use of rootstocks enhance terroir?

Rootstocks are an essential l management tool for diverse viticultural challenges. However, studies that combine sensory evaluation and compositional analysis of berries and wine, to determine whether the use of a particular rootstock in a terroir can influence wine quality are sparse. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of different rootstocks and own roots control on sensory and compositional differences in grape berries and resultant wines

Descriptive Sensory Analysis and compositional measures including GCMS were conducted on berries and wines of Vitis vinifera L. cv Shiraz vines grown on own roots or grafted to three different rootstocks (110 Richter, 1103 Paulsen, Schwarzmann). The study was conducted in an experimental rootstock vineyard in the Barossa Valley, South Australia, during two growing seasons (2009/10-2010/11).

Sensory and compositional differences were found in berries and wines from the rootstock treatments and the own roots control that were reflected in the wine quality scores.