Use of hyperspectral data for assessing vineyard biophysical and quality parameters in northern Italy

Nutrient availability – nitrogen, lipids, vitamins or oxygen – has a major impact on the kinetics of winemaking fermentations. Nitrogen is usually the growth-limiting nutrient and its availability determines the fermentation rate, and therefore the fermentation duration. In some cases, in particular in Champagne, grape musts have high nitrogen concentrations and are sometimes clarified with turbidity below 50 NTU. In these conditions, lipid deficiencies may occur and longer fermentations can be observed. To better understand this situation, a study was realized using a synthetic medium simulating the composition of a Champagne must : 180 g/L of sugar, 360 mg/L of assimilable nitrogen and a lipid content ranging from 1 to 8 mg/L of phytosterols (mainly β-sitosterol).

The global non-alcoholic wine market is projected to grow from USD 2.7 billion in 2024 to USD 6.97 billion by 2034, driven by health awareness, lifestyle shifts, and religious factors [1-3]. Consequently, the removal of alcohol can significantly alter the key quality parameters of wine.

A relatively small number of the many volatile substances of wine, often present at trace
concentrations, are considered as key volatile compounds. These compounds often exist in grapes
under poorly odoriferous or non volatile forms as aroma precursors.

Climate change scenarios suggest an increase in temperatures and an intensification of summer drought. Measuring seasonal plant water status is an essential step in choosing appropriate adaptations to ensure yields and quality of agricultural produce. The water status of grapevines is known to be a key factor for yield, maturity of grapes and wine quality. Several techniques exist to measure the water status of soil and plants, but stem water potential proved to be a simple and precise tool for different plant species.

Sustainable viticulture and winemaking continue to represent huge challenges, where a better knowledge about the functional role of biodiversity in the vineyard ecosystems is required.