Terroir 2010 banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 International Terroir Conferences 9 Terroir 2010 9 Ancient zoning in the world (T2010) 9 Storia del prosecco e del suo territorio di produzione: un percorso di studi in continuo progresso

Storia del prosecco e del suo territorio di produzione: un percorso di studi in continuo progresso

Abstract

Nella realtà viticola Italiana il Prosecco è uno degli esempi più evidenti di un percorso storico che ha saputo valorizzare lo stretto legame tra vitigno e territorio d’origine.A partire dalla fine del ‘700, periodo nel quale le prime testimonianze riportano la presenza di questo vitigno nel luogo che ne ha dato fama e notorietà, diversi studi hanno contribuito all’individuazione degli elementi storici ed ambientali attestanti l’indiscusso valore di questo contesto unico e irripetibile.Le ricerche dell’ ‘800 hanno preso le mosse da un’approfondita caratterizzazione ampelografica del vitigno, dei suoi biotipi già anticamente noti e delle loro potenzialità viticole ed enologiche. Nel corso del ‘900 l’attenzione si è poi spostata anche all’ambiente di coltivazione, cercando di estrapolarne i principali caratteri morfologici e climatici e di coglierne gli effetti sulla successione fenologica, sulla produzione e sulla macrostruttura dell’uva. Negli anni ’90 l’esigenza di applicare nella pratica agricola quotidiana i risultati scientifici ottenuti in questi primi studi e la concomitante evoluzione delle metodologie di indagine, ha portato all’approccio pluridisciplinare che caratterizza gli attuali studi di zonazione. Grazie a questi, e sulla scorta delle informazioni climatiche e podologiche acquisite e a tecniche e strumentazioni sempre più evoluti sono stati impostati due importanti lavori di zonazione: il primo riguardante l’area orientale della DOCG Conegliano-Valdobbiadene o DOC Colli di Conegliano (1997-1999) e il successivo esteso alla parte occidentale della DOCG Conegliano-Valdobbiadene (2003-2006). Queste indagini hanno portato ad un approfondita conoscenza dell’areale produttivo storico di questo vitigno, evidenziando come a diverse condizioni climatiche e podologiche il Prosecco risponda con caratteristiche produttive diverse (rese, contenuti zuccherini, contenuti aromatici). Ciò concorre a rafforzare il legame tra vitigno e territorio, confermandone il ruolo fondamentale nel determinare la tipicità e l’unicità di questo vino.

English version: The Prosecco is one of the most important examples in Italy of a territory that through a long study process established its success in the strong linkage between wine and its original area. Since the end of 1700, when first evidences can be found about the presence of the Prosecco in this territory, many studies have contributed in better understanding the historical and environmental elements accountable for its success and notoriety. In 1800 the research started with the amphelographic characterization of the variety and with the study of its different biotipes and their viticultural and oenological potential. In the curse of 1900 the attention of reaserchers moved to the environment, with the aim at identifying the factors with major impact on vine physiology, yield and quality. The need to practically apply the results of these first scientific studies, together with the development of new technologies, led in the 90s to the multidisciplinary approach that characterizes the modern zoning studies. Basing on the pedologic and climatic information collected along two centuries, two important zoning projects were developed: the first (1997-1999) involved the Colli di Conegliano AOC district (Eastern part of the Conegliano-Valdobbiadene AOCG), while the second (2003-2006) focused on the Western part of the Conegliano-Valdobbiadene AOCG. These two investigations led to a better knowledge of the historical Prosecco area, highlighting how different environmental conditions may have an impact on the performance of this variety with important effects on yield, sugar content and aromatic composition of the grapes. The results contributed to strengthen the linkage between Prosecco and its territory and confirmed the importance of the production area in determining the uniqueness and tipicality of this product.

DOI:

Publication date: October 1, 2020

Issue: Terroir 2010

Type: Article

Authors

F. Gaiotti, P. Marcuzzo, F. Battista, L. Lovat, D. Tomasi

CRA-Centro di Ricerca per la Viticoltura, Viale 28 Aprile 26, Conegliano, Italy

Contact the author

Keywords

Zoning, Prosecco, Conegliano, Valdobbiadene, Climate, Soil

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Terroir 2010

Citation

Related articles…

Phenological characterization of a wide range of Vitis Vinifera varieties

In order to study the impact of climate change on Bordeaux grape varieties and to assess the adaptation capacities of candidates to the grape varieties of this wine region to the new climatic conditions, an experimental block design composed of 52 grape varieties was set up in 2009 at the INRAE Bordeaux Aquitaine center. Among the many parameters studied, the three main phenological stages of the vine (budburst, flowering and veraison) have been closely monitored since 2012. Observations for each year, stage and variety were carried out on four independent replicates. Precocity indices have been calculated from the data obtained over the 2012-2021 period (Barbeau et al. 1998). This work allowed to group the phenological behaviour of the grapevine varieties, not only based on the timing of the subsequent developmental stages, but also on the overall precocity of the cycle and the total length of the cycle between budburst and veraison. Results regarding the variability observed among the different grape varieties for these phenological stages are presented as heat maps.

Grape must quality and mesoclimatic variability in Fruška Gora wine-growing region, Serbia

The Fruška Gora mountain is a traditional wine-growing region in Serbia situated in the Pannonian Basin. Due to such a position, the vicinity of the Danube River and the presence of concave configuration, it is suitable for grape production. This paper provides analyses of spatial variations in meteorological parameters and grape juice quality within Fruška Gora wine region over three consecutive vintages (2018-2020). The examined period can be defined as warm with cool nights during September (AVG 18,9°C; GDD 1918°C; CI 12°CF) and with the presence of mesoclimatic variability. The East part of the study area was somewhat drier and hotter compared to other parts of the region. The analyses of grape must samples (190 in total) of five cultivars (Cabernet-Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon blanc and Grašac (Welschriesling)) commonly grown across the region (19 sites), were performed using Fourier Transform Infrared Technology (FTIR). Among all cultivars, Sauvignon blanc was harvested first in the East area (DOY=246±5, GDD at harvest=1552±74, 22.2±0.7 °Brix), while the latest harvest was recorded for Cabernet-Sauvignon in the West (DOY=283±5, GDD at harvest=1936±187, 23.4±1.0 °Brix ). Both the red and white cultivars had higher acidity and YAN in the grape must if the vines were grown in the North and East compared to South and West areas. According to PCA analysis, Grašac showed the lowest variation in grape must chemical composition. Thus, the results confirm that Grašac is the most stable cultivar in Fruška Gora. All monitored cultivars reached technological fruit ripeness by the end of the growing season. However, it was difficult to reach full ripeness of red cultivars, mostly beacuse of uncoupling of technolocical and phenolic ripeness. Thus, Cabernet-Sauvignon had higher variations in GDD sums at harvest compared to other cultivars, which probably increased variations in grape must quality.

Revealing the Barossa zone sub-divisions through sensory and chemical analysis of Shiraz wine

The Barossa zone is arguably one of the most well-recognised wine producing regions in Australia and internationally; known mainly for the production of its distinct Shiraz wines. However, within the broad Barossa geographical delimitation, a variation in terroir can be perceived and is expressed as sensorial and chemical profile differences between wines. This study aimed to explore the sub-division classification across the Barossa region using chemical and sensory measurements. Shiraz grapes from 4 different vintages and different vineyards across the Barossa (2018, n = 69; 2019, n = 72; 2020, n = 79; 2021, n = 64) were harvested and made using a standardised small lot winemaking procedure. The analysis involved a sensory descriptive analysis with a highly trained panel and chemical measurement including basic chemistry (e.g. pH, TA, alcohol content, total SO2), phenolic composition, volatile compounds, metals, proline, and polysaccharides. The datasets were combined and analysed through an unsupervised, clustering analysis. Firstly, each vintage was considered separately to investigate any vintage to vintage variation. The datasets were then combined and analysed as a whole. The number of sub-divisions based on the measurements were identified and characterised with their sensory and chemical profile and some consistencies were seen between the vintages. Preliminary analysis of the sensory results showed that in most vintages, two major groups could be identified characterised with one group showing a fruit-forward profile and another displaying savoury and cooked vegetables characters. The exploration of distinct profiles arising from the Barossa wine producing region will provide producers with valuable information about the regional potential of their wine assisting with tools to increase their target market and reputation. This study will also provide a robust and comprehensive basis to determine the distinctive terroir characteristics which exist within the Barossa wine producing region.

Phenolic composition of Tempranillo Blanco grapes changes after foliar application of urea

Our research aimed to determine the effect and efficiency of foliar application of urea on the phenolic composition of Tempranillo Blanco grapes. The field experiment was carried out in 2019 and 2020 seasons and the plot was located in D.O.Ca Rioja (North of Spain). The vineyard was Vitis vinifera L. Tempranillo Blanco and grafted on Richter-110 rootstock. The treatments were control (C), whose plants were sprayed with water and three doses of urea: plants were sprayed with urea 3 kg N/ha (U3), 6 kg N/ha (U6) and 9 kg N/ha (U9). The applications were performed in two phenological stages, pre-veraison (Pre) and veraison (Ver). Also, each of the treatments was repeated one week later. Control and treatments were performed in triplicate and arranged in a randomised block design. Grapes were harvested at optimum ripening stage. High-performance liquid chromatography was used to analyse the phenolic composition of the grapes. Finally, the results obtained from the analytical determinations – flavonols, flavanols and non-flavonoid (hydroxybenzoic acids, hydroxycinnamic acids and stilbenes) – were studied statistically by analysis of variance. The results showed that, in 2019, U6-Pre and U9-Pre treatments increased the hydroxybenzoic acid content in grapes, and also all foliar treatments applied at Pre enhanced the stilbene concentration. Moreover, U3-Ver was the only treatment that rose flavonol and stilbene contents in the Tempranillo Blanco grapes. In 2020, all treatments applied at Pre enhanced the flavonol concentration in grapes. Furthermore, U3-Pre and U9-Pre treatments increased stilbene content in grapes. Nevertheless, the hydroxybenzoic acid content was improved by U6-Ver and U9-Ver and besides, hydroxycinnamic acid concentration in grapes was increased by all treatments applied at Ver. In conclusion, the lower and highest dose of urea (U3 and U9), applied at pre-veraison, were the best treatments to improve the Tempranillo Blanco grape phenolic composition.

Climate, Viticulture, and Wine … my how things have changed!

The planet is warmer than at any time in our recorded past and increasing greenhouse emissions and persistence in the climate system means that continued warming is highly likely. Climate change has already altered the basic framework of growing grapes for wine production worldwide and will likely continue to do so for years to come. The wine sector can continue to play an important role in leading the agricultural sector in addressing climate change. From developing on…