Enhancing grape traceability from grower to consumer through GS1 Standards: A case study of the Australian table grape industry

The production of fermented alcoholic beverages involves numerous processes in which microorganisms and enzymes convert components derived from the raw material into a wide range of compounds that affect the sensory characteristics of the resulting product. It is estimated that there may be as many as 800 to 1,000 such compounds in wine. These compounds belong to different chemical groups such as esters, alcohols, carboxylic acids, carbonyl compounds, polyphenols, sugars and many others.

In 2022, the area cultivated with grapes in Brazil counted 75 thousand ha. About 1/2 of the grape production is located in rio grande do sul state, in South Brazil. Nonetheless, the northeast region, especially the Sao Francisco River Valley (SFRV), is increasing its area and production, mainly pushed by table grapes. The states of bahia and pernambuco already respond for circa 1/3 of brazilian grape production.

In recent years, the consumption of alcoholic beverages is changing, driven by evolving consumer preferences and societal trends, including a wave of health consciousness. Among these changes, the emergence and proliferation of nolo (no alcohol/low alcohol) alcoholic beverages have gained significant attention within the industry. Nolo alcohol beverages are produced to emulate the appearance, aroma, and taste of alcoholic beverages, potentially facilitating a sense of social integration when consuming a product that closely resembles alcohol.

The wine tourism industry has experienced significant transformation over the past years, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Grapevine (vitis spp.) Is one of the major and most economically important fruit crops worldwide. Unlike other cropping systems, viticulture has ancient historical connections with the development of human culture and with the socio-cultural background of grape-growing areas. The vitis genus is characterised by high levels of genetic diversity, as result of natural genetic mutations, which are common in grapevines and further assisted by ongoing vegetative propagation.