Development of novel drought-tolerant grape cultivars from Monastrell: enhancing anthocyanin and flavonol content under elevated temperatures

Abstract

The ongoing challenge of climate change is driving the need for novel oenological approaches aimed at finding effective environmental solutions. While warmer temperatures may benefit viticulture in cooler climates by reducing fungal infections, the impact on regions characterized by arid conditions is potentially harmful. These changes can significantly influence the quality of wines and their organoleptic profiles, making it essential to adapt both viticultural and winemaking practices to mitigate these effects.

Given the persistent nature of climate change, there is an urgent need to continuously explore and implement viticultural strategies that can alleviate its consequences. In this context, it has initiated a long-term breeding program aimed at developing grape varieties more resilient to climate change. Through targeted crosses involving the Monastrell variety and other cultivars such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, new grape varieties, namely MC16, MC80, and MS104, have been created.

The performance of these new varieties has been assessed over three consecutive seasons (2022–2024) under both strictly dry conditions and those supplemented with irrigation. This study focuses particularly on the macromolecules of interest—anthocyanins and flavonols—which play a critical role in determining the color, stability, and sensory properties of wine. Following the methodology outlined by Pérez-Porras et al. [1], the results indicate that the newly developed varieties exhibited significantly higher anthocyanin content than their parent varieties (Monastrell, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah), with some varieties showing a two- to threefold increase, especially during the 2022 season. Moreover, it was observed that the highest anthocyanin concentrations were found in grapevines grown under rainfed conditions, as opposed to those subjected to deficit irrigation.

In contrast, the variations in flavonol concentrations were less pronounced than those observed for anthocyanins, suggesting that flavonol content might be influenced by other environmental factors or genetic aspects not yet fully understood.

In conclusion, the findings of this study offer valuable insights into the potential for developing grapevine varieties better suited to the challenges posed by climate change in arid and semi-arid regions. These results underscore the importance of key macromolecules, such as anthocyanins and flavonols, in shaping wine quality and highlight the potential of these new varieties as a critical tool for the wine industry to address the impacts of climate change.

References

[1] Pérez-Porras P, Gómez-Plaza E, Muñoz García R, et al (2022) Prefermentative grape microwave treatment as a tool for increasing red wine phenolic content and reduce maceration time. https://doi.org/10.3390/app12168164