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…

The use of elicitors in viticulture: a tool to obtain highly colored wines with a reduce alcohol content?

Climate change is causing a gap between the technological and phenolic maturity of grapes, resulting in wines with high alcohol content and low polyphenol concentration. Another phenomenon associated with high temperatures and whose effect is more pronounced if the harvest is delayed is the decrease in the acidity of the grapes, mainly in malic acid, and an increase in pH caused by the accumulation of potassium derived from the increase in temperature. Therefore, climate change and the effects it causes on the vine leads to unbalanced wines, with high alcohol content and lack of color, with green tannins, astringency and excessively low acidity if not corrected.

Terroir et marché des A.O.C

Cette communication sera basée sur les résultats d’une étude auprès des consommateurs réalisée par la société G3 pour l’I.N.A.O. sur les attitudes des consommateurs vis à vis des produits de terroir et des A.O.C. et sur un mémoire de DEA soutenu par Monsieur J-C. DURIEUX à l’Université de Paris X Nanterre, consacré aux variables explicatives du comportement d’achat des vins A.O.C.

Study of the sensory dimension of the wine typicality related to a terroir and crossing with their viticultural and oenological characteristics

The typicality of a product can be characterized by properties of similarity in relation to a type, but also by the properties of distinction.

Physiological response of new cultivars resistant to fungi confronted to drought in a semi-arid Mediterranean area

Water is one of the most limiting factors for viticulture in Mediterranean regions. Former researches showed that water shortage hampers both vegetative and reproductive developments. INRA is running programs to breed varieties carrying QTL of tolerance to major fungi, i.e. powdery and downy mildews. Some varieties have been already certified or are close to be certified. However, little is known about the response of these varieties to water deficit, which behavior is critical for their development. This study characterized physiological responses of 4 new varieties to water deficit and described relationship between them.

Use of cyclodextrins to improve grape must fermentability thanks to their sequestering effect on medium-chain fatty acids

Cyclodextrins are complex cyclic oligosaccharides of glucose units. They are produced from the breakdown of starch by the enzymatic reaction of glucosyltransferase. The result is a ring-shaped molecule with a cavity with a hydrophilic outer part and a hydrophobic inner part. As a consequence of this cavity, cyclodextrin is able to form complexes with non-polar organic molecules [1,2].