Terroir 2020 banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 Chemical boundaries of wine identity: rationalizing grape and wine aroma diversity for improved terroir management

Chemical boundaries of wine identity: rationalizing grape and wine aroma diversity for improved terroir management

Abstract

Aims: Wine perceived quality lies on a number of different factors. Among these, sensory features, which are in turn dependent on chemical composition, play a primary role. There is traditionally a great emphasis on producing wines that have specific sensory profiles, particularly aroma, that reflect identity features connected to the place and the variety of origin. In the case of high quality wines there is also an expectation for enhances longevity. In this paper, we examine the main chemical drivers of wine geographical identity, its relationship with longevity and the (bio)chemical processes leading to their occurrence in wine. 

Methods and Results: results from different studies are covered, highlighting the importance of understanding the aroma chemical fingerprint of individual wine types in order to manage regional identity/terroir/cru expression accordingly. The contribution of different volatiles to the expression of typical aroma attributes is defined. 

Conclusions:

based on existing knowledge, the possibility to rationalize viticultural and winemaking practices to enhance the expression of aroma-relevant terroir features is limited to a restricted number of grape varieties. For most of the wines produced globally this process is still based on anectodal observations.

Significance and Impact of the Study: aroma chemical components to specific aroma attributes reflecting geographical identity and terroir are identified, in particular for different Italian wines.

DOI:

Publication date: March 25, 2021

Issue: Terroir 2020

Type : Video

Authors

Maurizio Ugliano*, Davide Slaghenaufi, Giovanni Luzzini, Jessica Samaniego Solis

Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, via della Pieve, 70, 37029 San Pietro in Cariano (VR), Italy

Contact the author

Keywords

Wine aroma, geographical identity, terroir, terpenes, norisoprenoids, volatile sulfur compounds

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Terroir 2020

Citation

Related articles…

Legal and economic evolution of the Japanese wine industry in the 21st century

Historically bounded by strict regulations with a focus on taxation since the 19th century, the japanese wine industry stands at a crossroads in the 21st century, necessitated by alignment with international standards and opening towards global markets.

Responses of grapevine cells to physiological doses of ethanol, among which induced resistance to heat stress

Grapevine naturally endures stresses like heat, drought, and hypoxia. A recent study showed very low oxygen levels inside grape berries, linked to ethanol content.

Volatile composition of base wines to obtain sparkling wines from seven autochthonous grape varieties from Castilla y León (Spain)

The aim of this work was to characterize the aromatic profile of white and rosé base wines for the elaboration of sparkling wines from seven autochthonous grape varieties of Castilla y León. The ‘Albarín’, ‘Godello’ and ‘Verdejo’ white grape cultivars contribute with more fruity notes than the ‘Viura’ and ‘Malvasía’ cultivars; and ‘Prieto picudo’ coloured grape cultivar has more fruity character than ‘Garnacha’.

Using combinations of recombinant pectinases to elucidate the deconstruction of the polysaccharide‐rich grape cell wall during winemaking

The effectiveness of enzyme-mediated maceration processes in red winemaking relies on a clear picture of the target (berry cell wall structure) to achieve the optimum combination of specific enzymes to be used. However, we lack the information on both essential factors of the reaction (i.e. specific activities in commercial enzyme preparation and the cell wall structure of berry tissue). In this study, the different combinations of pure recombinant enzymes and the recently validated high throughput cell wall profiling tools were applied to extend our knowledge on the grape berry cell wall polymeric deconstruction during the winemaking following a combinatorial enzyme treatment design.

One-year aging of a Sangiovese red wine in tanks of different materials: effect on chemical and sensory characteristics

The aim of this study was to evaluate how the different tank materials could affect the chemical and sensory characteristics of a Sangiovese red wine during one-year aging.