Terroir 2020 banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 Terroir effects on wine aromatic metabolomics in the eastern foot of Helan Mountain, Ningxia, China

Terroir effects on wine aromatic metabolomics in the eastern foot of Helan Mountain, Ningxia, China

Abstract

Aim: The eastern foot of Helan Mountain, Ningxia, China is one of the most important wine production regions in China and grape cultivation has spread in several sub-regions with different soils and cultivars. Large diversity in wine aromas have been observed at Ningxia region but which terroir factors drive those diversity in aromas remain to uncover. This study aims to investigate the impacts of grape varieties and soil chemical properties on wine aromas at Ningxia, in order to characterize the aromatic typicality of Ningxia wines and provide foundation for developing a ‘Protected Designation of Origin’ system. 

Methods and Results: Twenty-six representative wineries from 5 sub-regions of Ningxia were selected, and their vineyard soils were analysed at 20, 40, and 60 cm. Soil electric conductivity, organic carbon, available N, P, K, and total N, P, K, Na, Mg, Ca were quantified. Forty wines from those wineries made from cvs Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, etc were also sampled, and their aroma profiles were analysed with GC-MS. Wine aromas showed large diversity, and principal component analysis showed that the key discrimination factor was the variety. Wines from Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot exhibited distinct aroma profile, while vineyard location only had minor discrimination contribution. Further analysis for each variety revealed that the wines from Cabernet Sauvignon had quite distinct aromas from different vineyard locations. Soil chemical properties showed clear differences between regions, particularly the quantity of total N, K, and Mg. Correlation network analysis further identified strong and interesting linkages between specific aroma compounds and soil chemical properties. 

Conclusions: 

Our study found both wine aroma and soil chemical properties showing large diversity at Ningxia region. Grape variety plays a key role in determining wine aroma, while vineyard location with different soils can finely tune wine aroma for a given variety. 

Significance and Impact of the Study: Our results established the interaction between soil properties and genotypes on wine aromas. It highlights the importance to consider the matching between grape variety and soil type for designing future geographic regulation of wine production in Ningxia.

DOI:

Publication date: March 17, 2021

Issue: Terroir 2020

Type: Video

Authors

Zhanwu Dai1, Yangfu Kuang1, Xuenan Yao1, Huiqing Bai1, Shaohua Li1, Benhong Wu1*

1Beijing Key Laboratory of Grape Science and Enology and Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, Institute of Botany, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100093, China

Contact the author

Keywords

Terroir, soil properties, wine aromas, Helan, Ningxia

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Terroir 2020

Citation

Related articles…

Relationship between terroir and acidity for the red wine grape cultivar Malbec N or Cot N (Vitis vinifera L.) in AOC “Cahors” and “Côtes du Frontonnais “

L’étude préliminaire, réalisée sur les principaux cépages de la région Midi-Pyrénées, a montré que le Cot N possédait des teneurs en acide tartrique dans les moûts et les vins plus élevées que celles des cépages Négrette N, Tannat N, Duras N et Fer Servadou N.

Structural composition of polymeric polyphenols of red wine after long-term ageing: effect of vinification technology

Aged red wines possess phenolic composition very different from young ones due to the transformations among native grape phenolics and the formation of new polymeric polyphenols during aging process.

High resolution remote sensing for mapping intra-block vine vigour heterogeneity

In vineyard management, the block is considered today as the technical work unit. However, considerable variability can exist inside a block with regard to physiological parameters, such as vigour, particularly because of soil heterogeneity. To represent this variability spatially, many measurements have to be taken, which is costly in both time and money. High resolution remote sensing appears to be an efficient tool for mapping intra-block heterogeneity.

Le zonage viticole en Italie. État actuel et perspectives futures

Over the past few decades, viticultural research has made numerous contributions which have made it possible to better understand the behavior of the vine as well as its response to the conditions imposed on it by the environment and agronomic practices. However, these results have only rarely been used in the practical management of vineyards because the research has been carried out using partial experimental models where reality is only represented by a few factors which are sometimes even made more complex by the introduction of elements foreign to the existing situation and difficult to apply to production (varieties, methods of cultivation, management techniques, etc.). To these reasons, one could add a low popularization of the results obtained, as well as the difficulty of implementing the scientific contributions, which does not allow the different production systems to fully express their potential. This limit of viticultural research can only be exceeded by the design of integrated projects designed directly on and for the territory. Indeed, only the integrated evaluation of a viticultural agro-system, which can be achieved through zoning, makes it possible to measure, or even attribute to each element of the system, the weight it exerts on the quality of the wine.

Qualitative modelling of factors influencing the development of Black rot, for the prediction of damage to bunches

Vines are one of the most pesticide-intensive crops in France, and reducing their use is a major challenge for both the environment and human health.