Terroir 2010 banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 Isotope composition of wine as indicator of terroir spatial variability

Isotope composition of wine as indicator of terroir spatial variability

Abstract

The goal of this work was to determine the spatial variability of terroir using the isotope composition of wine. Carbon (δ13C) and oxygen (δ18O) stable isotope composition was measured in wines from Tempranillo (Vitis vinifera L.) vineyard, located in Rioja Appellation (Spain). Stable isotope composition, leaf area, vigour, yield components, grape and wine composition were determined in a grid of 85 geo-referenced points, that was drawn across the 5 ha vineyard area. Spatial variability of δ13C and δ18O of wine was studied and the vineyard area was divided into six sub-areas for each isotope. Spatial variability of wine isotope composition could be explained by variation in soil properties of the vineyard. Isotope composition of wine was related to vegetative growth and yield components. The wine water δ18O was significantly correlated to lateral leaf area, total leaf area and vigour at harvest. Carbon isotope (δ13C) was an excellent indicator of yield per vine, cluster weight and berry weight. A significant correlation between δ13C and total leaf area/yield ratio was also observed. Significant correlation was also observed between wine water δ18O and the content of malic and tartaric acids in both grape and wine. Moreover, wine δ13C and δ18O were significantly correlated with the anthocyanins and total phenols content in grape. Colour density of wine was significantly related to wine water δ18O. Our results suggest that carbon (δ13C) and oxygen (δ18O) records in wines are useful tools to study spatial variability of terroir in viticulture.

DOI:

Publication date: October 6, 2020

Issue: Terroir 2010

Type: Article

Authors

Tardaguila J (1), Diago MP (1), Baluja J (1), Larcher R (2), Simoni M (2), Camin F (2)

(1) ICVV (Universidad de La Rioja, CSIC, Gobierno de La Rioja). 26006 Logroño. Spain.
(2) IASMA – Fondazione E. Mach, 38010 San Michele all’Adige. Trento. Italy.
Abstract

Contact the author

Keywords

δ13C, δ18O, GIS, Tempranillo, grapevine, Vitis vinifera

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Terroir 2010

Citation

Related articles…

Study of wine-growing land (“terroir”) characteristics in the canton of Vaud (Switzerland): ecophysiological behaviour of the vine (cv. Chasselas)

A study of the physiological and agronomical behaviour of the vine (cv. Chasselas) was conducted between 2001 and 2003 by the Swiss Federal Research Station for Plant Production at Changins (Agroscope RAC Changins) on various wine-growing farms (terroirs) in the Canton of Vaud (Switzerland), as part of a study project on Vaudois

Linear sweep voltammetry to classify and characterize the antioxidant properties of tannins

In recent years, numerous studies have been carried out at the OIV on oenological tannins, both with regard to oenological properties and methods of characterization. The results of these recent studies have led to the revision of the general monograph and the drafting of four new monographs, one for each of the four chemical classes into which the tannins have been grouped: ellagitannins, gallotannins, procyanidins/prodelphinidins, profisetinidins/prorobinetinins.

AGEING REVEALS THE TERROIR OF AGED RED BORDEAUX WINES REGARDLESS OF THE VINTAGES! TARGETED APPROACH USING ODOROUS COMPOUNDS LEVELS INCLUDING TERPENES AND C13 NORISOPRENOIDS

The chemistry of wine is notably complex and is modified by ageing of the bottles. The composition of wines is the result of vine production (under the influence of vintage, climate and soils); yeast production (under the influence of juice composition and fermentation management); lactic bacteria production (under the influence of young wine composition and malolactic fermentation management); and of the ageing process either in vats, barrels or bottles or both. The composition is linked to the quality perceived by consumers but also to their origin, sometimes associated to the “terroir” concept.

Enological characters of thirty vines in four different zones of Tuscany

In the last few years the development of HPLC techniques together with multivariate statistical methods allowed to set methodics of large discriminant and classing efficacy in the study of wine-grapes.

Clustering wine aromatic composition of Vitis vinifera grapevine varieties

Climate change is likely to impact wine typicity across the globe, raising concerns in wine regions historically renowned for the quality of their terroir. Amongst several changes in viticultural practices, replacing some of the planting material (i.e clones, rootstocks and cultivars) is thought to be one of the most promising potential levers to be used for adapting to climate change. But the change of cultivars also involves the issue of protecting the region’s wine typicity.