High resolution climatic zoning of the Portuguese viticultural regions

Wooden barrels have been the preferred method for oak maturation for wines, but the use of alternative oak products, such as staves and oak chips have increased in South Africa due to lower production costs. This study investigated the effect of different oak products used during fermentation and ageing on the sensory profile, degree of liking and perceived quality of a South African Chenin blanc wine. The different wine treatments included an unoaked tank control wine, wines matured in 5th fill barrels, wines matured in new barrels from three different cooperages, and wines matured in 5th fill barrels with stave inserts from two different cooperages.

The spotted lanternfly (SLF; Lycorma delicatula) is a phloem-feeding polyphagous insect invasive to the Eastern U.S.. Since its first detection in Pennsylvania (U.S.) in 2014, large infestations and economic damage (e.g., decreased yield, vine decline, greater pesticide use) have been reported in an increasing number of vineyards, threatening the sustainability and growth of the wine industry in infested regions. Our team has been investigating the impacts of SLF phloem-feeding on physiological processes, fruit production, juice, and wine composition of different grape cultivars, and also evaluated if the SLF can transmit important grapevine pathogens. In addition, we are working closely with stakeholders to better enumerate the economic damage caused by this pest. These findings will provide relevant information to grape and wine producers to help identify action thresholds and develop a more targeted integrated pest management program.

Sustainable viticulture and winemaking continue to represent huge challenges, where a better knowledge about the functional role of biodiversity in the vineyard and wine ecosystems is required, as well as the varieties plasticity. Particular attention should be devoted to the spatial and temporal interactions between authorized or recommended varieties for a specific demarcated region and clime and vineyard conditions (such as soil type, orientation of the lines, age of the vine, density of planting, harvesting practices, among others).

Vengono riportati i risultati enologici di uno studio condotto sul Nero d’Avola in un tipico ambiente viticolo siciliano, in cui insistono suoli che presentano un diverso grado di salinità.

AIM: A genetic study of four wine T. delbrueckii strains was done. Spore clones free of possible recessive growth‐retarding alleles with enhanced resistance to winemaking stressing conditions were obtained from these yeasts. METHODS: The genetic marker of resistance to cycloheximide (cyhR) allows easy monitoring of the new mutants obtained from these yeasts.