Characterization of resistant varieties produced in the context of a search for regional typicality

Abstract

Planted between 2018 and 2019, the ‘New Vine’ system is a vineplot, comprising 169 individuals genotypes (5 vines/individual), located on a gravelous soil, in the INRAE Grande-Ferrade site (Villenave d’Ornon, France). These individuals are grapevine genotypes resulting from crosses between Petit Verdot or Cabernet Franc and resistant varieties containing the following pairs of resistance genes: Rpv1+Rpv3 or Rpv1+Rpv10 for downy mildew resistance and Run1+Ren3.2 for powdery mildew resistance [1]. More than 99% of the genome of these genotypes is derived from Vitis vinifera and contains two pairs of resistance genes. Over the last three vintages (2022, 2023, 2024), these varieties have been qualified from a phenotypic, chemical-components and sensory point of view. The aim was to identify the best suited genotypes to Bordeaux vineyards from an agronomic and oenological point of view. The phenological stages and agronomic performances (yield, berry size, etc.) were graded each year up to the harvest date of each individual variety. At maturity, oenological parameters were measured (pH, total acidity, sugars, assimilable nitrogen, acids) using a sequential analyzer (Y400, Byosystems). After harvesting, each individual genotype was vinified in 2 to 3 liters containers following a validated protocol.  After a few months of ageing, the volatile compounds in these wines were measured after extraction by GC-MS and GC-MS/MS protocols in order to obtain a fairly broad identity card of their aromatic profiles [2; 3]. Then, these wines were subjected to a sensory analysis combining categorization evaluation process (typicity and quality by orthonasal evaluation) and CATA. The purpose was to assess the typicality of these wines in relation to Bordeaux wines, as described by Ballester et al. [4]. The CATA allows a rapid, non-exhaustive description of the dominant olfactory and gustatory characteristics of these wines. After three vintages, we have already removed 30% of the individuals in the vine-plot. The results of the sensory analysis in particular, coupled with the agronomic performance and oenological data for these varieties, have enabled us to highlight potential good candidates for future planting in the vineyard, having sensory characteristics and chemical components abundancy compatible with Bordeaux wines expectations. These results shall be confirmed during future vintages and on a larger scale plantations.

References

[1] Merdinoglu, D., Schneider, C., Prado, E., Wiedemann-Merdinoglu, S., & Mestre, P. (2018). OENO One, 52(3), 203‑209.

[2] Thibon, C., Pons, A., Mouakka, N., Redon, P., Méreau, R., & Darriet, P. (2015). Journal of Chromatography A, 1415, 123 133.

[3] Poitou, X., Redon, P., Pons, A., Bruez, E., Delière, L., Marchal, A., Cholet, C., Geny-Denis, L., & Darriet, P. (2021). Food Chemistry, 360, 130120.

[4] Ballester, J., Dacremont, C., Fur, Y. L., & Etiévant, P. (2005). Food Quality and Preference, 16(4), 351 359.