Terroir 2020 banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 Regional discrimination of shiraz using targeted and non-targeted analytical approaches

Regional discrimination of shiraz using targeted and non-targeted analytical approaches

Abstract

Aims: Shiraz is the most widely cultivated grape variety in Australia, and is grown under a range of viticultural and climatic conditions. Given its importance to the Australian wine sector, a number of studies have been conducted in recent years which involved a comprehensive assessment of grape composition, in order to objectively predict wine quality and style outcomes. It was of interest to reanalyse this compositional database to determine if regional variation in Shiraz composition exists, and if so, to identify analytical approaches which might best discriminate the response of this variety to the unique growing conditions imposed by regional or sub-regional variables. 

Methods and Results: For a preliminary regional study, Shiraz grapes were obtained from multiple geographical indices within South Australia, and analysed for a range of targeted volatile and non-volatile compounds, as well as by non-targeted near- and mid-infrared approaches. Using multivariate modelling, it was found that data generated using both the targeted and non-targeted analytical approaches could discriminate the samples on a regional basis. For a focused study on site diversity within the Barossa Valley, Shiraz grape samples were collected from a number of sub-regions, and from multiple locations within each vineyard (5-10). Grapes were micro-vinified, and grape and wine samples were further analysed for non-volatiles using targeted and non-targeted approaches. Grape samples were also assessed using near- and mid-infrared spectroscopy. It was found using the targeted analytical approach that within-vineyard variability exceeded between-vineyard variation for some measures, preventing discrimination of vineyards or sub-regions using multivariate modelling. However, using the data generated from multiple non-targeted analytical approaches, within-vineyard variation was substantially reduced. This enabled Shiraz vineyards to be clearly defined using a non-targeted ‘chemical fingerprint’ and showed some potential to discriminate the Barossa sub-regions. Mass spectra generated using the non-targeted profiling approach were further assessed, and enabled the identification of grape-derived compounds which were relevant to the sub-regional response. 

Conclusion:

Non-targeted profiling of grapes and wines showed the potential to discriminate geographical indices (region) as well as sites within a region, even though absolute differences in grape composition could be substantial. This indicates that certain aspects of grape chemistry are more sensitive to site- or region-specific variables than others. Further work could seek to identify individual compounds, or classes of compounds, which most consistently define the ‘terroir’ response for the Shiraz grape variety. 

Significance and Impact of the Study: Using the results of this study, new methods could be developed to quantify the relevant grape or wine metabolites identified using the non-targeted approach, in order to apply these more broadly within studies which seek to objectively characterise ‘terroir’.

DOI:

Publication date: March 16, 2021

Issue: Terroir 2020

Type: Video

Authors

Keren Bindon1*, Paul Smith1,2, Dylan Grigg3, Natoiya Lloyd1, Luca Nicolotti1, Jean Macintyre4, Roberta De Bei3, Cassandra Collins3

1The Australian Wine Research Institute, PO Box 197, Glen Osmond, SA 5064, Australia
2Wine Australia, Industry House-National Wine Centre, Cnr Hackney and Botanic Roads, SA 5000, Australia
3The University of Adelaide, PMB 1, Glen Osmond, SA, 5064, Australia
4Pernod Ricard Winemakers, 1914 Barossa Valley Way, Rowland Flat, SA, 5352, Australia

Contact the author

Keywords

Shiraz, objective measures, grape and wine quality

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Terroir 2020

Citation

Related articles…

Analysis of some environmental factors and cultural practices that affect the production and quality of the Manto Negro, Callet and Prensal Blanc varieties

45 non irrigated vineyards distributed in the DO (Denomination) Pla i Llevant de Mallorca and the DO Binissalem Mallorca were used to investigate the characteristics of production and quality and their relationships certain environmental factors and cultural practices. The grape varieties investigated are autochthonous to the island of Mallorca, Manto Negro and Callet as red and Prensal Blanc as white. All plants were measured for four consecutive years in the main production and quality parameters. Among the environmental factors, the type of soil has been studied, more specifically its water retention capacity, the planting density, the age of the vineyard and the level of viral infection. The presence or absence of virus seems to have no effect on any component studied in the varieties studied. For the white variety Prensal Blanc age is negatively correlated with production and the number of bunches, nevertheless it does not cause any effect on the required quality parameters. However, for the red varieties Callet and Manto Negro, the age of the plantation is the variable that best correlates with the quality parameters, therefore the old vines should be the object of preservation by the viticulturists and winemakers in order to guarantee its contribution to the quality of the wines made with these varieties.

Mesoclimate impact on Tannat in the Atlantic terroir of Uruguay

The study of climate is relevant as an element conditioning the typicity of a product, its quality and sustainability over the years. The grapevine development and growth and the final grape and wine composition are closely related to temperature, while climate components vary at mesoscale according to topography and/or proximity to large bodies of water. The objective of this work is to assess the mesoclimate of the Atlantic region of Uruguay and to determine the effect of topography and the ocean on temperature and consequently on Tannat grapevine behavior.

A spatial explicit inventory of EU wine protected designation of origin to support decision making in a changing climate

Winemaking areas recognized as protected designations of origin (PDOs) shape important economic, environmental and cultural values that are tied to closely defined geographic locations. To preserve wine products and wine-growing practices adopted in different PDOs these areas are strictly regulated by legal specifications. However, quality viticulture is increasingly under pressure from climate change, which is altering the local conditions of many winegrowing areas. Therefore, maintaining traditional wine products will require the adoption of tailored adaptation strategies, including possible changes in the legal regulation of protected wines. To this end, it is necessary to have a comprehensive knowledge on PDOs including their extension, products and allowed practices. While there have been efforts to build databases that summarize the characteristics for individual wine PDO areas and to quantify the related effects of climate change, much information is still included only in the official documentation of the EU geographical indication register and has never been collected in a comprehensive manner. With this study we aim at filling this gap by building a spatial inventory of European wine PDOs that supports decision making in viticulture in the context of climate change. To map and characterize European wine PDOs, we analysed their legal documents and extracted relevant information useful for climate change adaptation. The output consists of a comprehensive geographical dataset that identifies the boundaries of all 1200 European wine PDOs at unprecedented spatial resolution and includes a set of legally binding regulations, such as authorized vine varieties, maximum yields and planting density. The inventory will allow researchers to analyse the impacts of climate change on European wine PDOs and support decision makers in developing tailored adaptation strategies. This includes, among others, the evaluation of new vineyard site selection, the expansion of cultivated varieties or the authorization of irrigation in vineyards.

Mapping and tracking canopy size with VitiCanopy

Understanding vineyard variability to target management strategies, apply inputs efficiently and deliver consistent grape quality to the winery is essential. However, despite inherent vineyard variability, the majority are managed as if they are uniform. VitiCanopy is a simple, grower-friendly tool for precision/digital viticulture that allows users to collect and interpret objective spatial information about vineyard performance. After four years of field and market research, an upgraded VitiCanopy has been created to achieve a more streamlined, technology-assisted vine monitoring tool that provides users with a set of superior new features, which could significantly improve the way users monitor their grapevines. These new features include:
• New user interface
• User authentication
• Batch analysis of multiple images
• Ease the learning curve through enhanced help features
• Reporting via the creation of colour maps that will allow users to assess the spatial differences in canopies within a vineyard.
Use-case examples are presented to demonstrate the quantification and mapping of vineyard variability through objective canopy measurements, ground-truthing of remotely sensed measurements, monitoring of crop conditions, implementation of disease and water management decisions as well as creating a history of each site to forecast quality. This intelligent tool allows users to manage grapevines and make informed management choices to achieve the desired production targets and remain profitable.

Analysis of Cabernet Sauvignon and Aglianico winegrape (V. vinifera L.) responses to different pedo-climatic environments in southern Italy

Water deficit is one of the most important effects of climate change able to affect agricultural sectors. In general, it determines a reduction in biomass production, and for some plants, as in the case of grapevine, it can endorse fruit quality. The monitoring and management of plant water stress in the vineyard