Precision viticulture: using on-board sensors to map vine variability and characterize vine trajectories

The effectiveness of enzyme-mediated maceration processes in red winemaking relies on a clear picture of the target (berry cell wall structure) to achieve the optimum combination of specific enzymes to be used. However, we lack the information on both essential factors of the reaction (i.e. specific activities in commercial enzyme preparation and the cell wall structure of berry tissue). In this study, the different combinations of pure recombinant enzymes and the recently validated high throughput cell wall profiling tools were applied to extend our knowledge on the grape berry cell wall polymeric deconstruction during the winemaking following a combinatorial enzyme treatment design.

Sustainability is becoming an increasingly present challenge, whether due to an increase in the level of perception and demand from consumers and stakeholders or the rise of events linked to climate change, which directly impacts agricultural-based sectors such as the vine and wine industry.

La région de la Vallée du São Francisco, situe à 9º S, est en train d’augmenter la production des vins fins les dernières années. La région présente climat du type tropical semi-aride (climat viticole à variabilité intra-annuelle selon le Système CCM Géoviticole : “très chaud, à nuits chaudes et à sécheresse forte à sub-humide” en fonction

Saccharomyces cerevisiae, as the workhorse of alcoholic fermentation, is a major actor of winemaking. In this context, this yeast species uses alcoholic fermentation to convert sugars from the grape must into ethanol and CO2 with an outstanding efficiency: it reaches on average 92% of the maximum theoretical yield of conversion. Moreover, S. cerevisiae is also known for its great genetic diversity and plasticity that is directly related to its living environment, natural or technological and therefore to domestication. This leads to a great phenotypic diversity of metabolites production.

Wildfires are becoming more common in many areas of the world that are also associated with wine grape production, especially the Pacific northwest United States, Australia and even some areas of France.