Terroir 2020 banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 Regulated deficit irrigation and crop load interaction effects on grape heterogeneity

Regulated deficit irrigation and crop load interaction effects on grape heterogeneity

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the interaction effects between irrigation and crop load and the resulting impact on grape heterogeneity within a Geographical Indication in South Australia. 

Methods and Results: Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were sampled at the time of harvest from the Coonawarra Geographical Indication where full and sustained deficit irrigation and crop load manipulations were implemented as a 2 × 2 factorial block design. Grape heterogeneity was quantified for each treatment at three levels (bunch, vine and block) using berry density categories that were related to grape maturity. Furthermore, each density category was characterised in terms of total soluble solids, berry fresh weight, tannin content and tartaric and malic acid concentrations. Irrigation and crop load interaction effects on grape heterogeneity were observed for intra- cluster, vine, and between blocks.

Conclusion: 

This research reveals the extent of heterogeneity existing in the vineyard at the time of harvest, and presents management techniques that may mitigate grape ripeness variation in the vineyard.

Significance and Impact of the Study: Grape heterogeneity is an important consideration for the production of high quality red wine, as high proportions of under ripe and/or overripe fruit present at the time of harvest have been shown to negatively impact colour, mouthfeel, and varietal aroma of the wine. Furthermore, the presence of overripe/shrivelled grapes with excessive sugar concentrations can lead to increased ethanol in the wine. Previous research has acknowledged the impact that the three focal aspects of terroir – climate, soil and cultivar – have on grape composition, with the overarching effects of climate being highlighted. Vine water status and vine balance can conceivably mediate some of the influences of climate on grape composition, but there has been limited literature delving into the effects on grape heterogeneity. By investigating vineyard management techniques with a view to minimising grape heterogeneity, this research gives insight into the optimisation of grape production, especially in hotter climates that are more susceptible to producing overripe fruit.

Download the PDF

DOI:

Publication date: March 25, 2021

Issue: Terroir 2020

Type: Video

Authors

Claire Armstrong1,2, Pietro Previtali1,2, Vinay Pagay1,2, Paul Boss1,3, David Jeffery1,2*

1 ARC Training Centre for Innovative Wine Production, The University of Adelaide, PMB 1 Glen Osmond, SA, 5064, Australia
2 The Waite Research Institute and The School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, The University of Adelaide, Waite Campus, PMB 1, Glen Osmond, SA, 5064, Australia
3 CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Locked Bag 2, Glen Osmond, SA 5064, Australia

Contact the author

Keywords

Vineyard management techniques, vineyard variation, grape composition, Cabernet Sauvignon, red wine quality

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Terroir 2020

Citation

Related articles…

Olfactometric and sensory study of red wines subjected to ultrasound or microwaves during their elaboration

The effect that some extraction techniques, such as ultrasound (Cacciola, Batllò, Ferraretto, Vincenzi, & Celotti, 2013; Povey & McClements, 1988) or microwaves (Carew, Close, & Dambergs, 2015; Carew, Gill, Close, & Dambergs, 2014) produce on the aroma of red wines, when applied to processes of extractive nature, such as pre-fermentative maceration or ageing with oak chips (Spanish oak – Quercus pyrenaica and French oak – Quercus robur) has been studied. The volatile profile was determined by means of gas chromatography coupled with olfactometric and mass spectrometric detection. A sensory analysis was also carried out. No indications were found to show that the pre-fermentative treatment with microwaves or ultrasound modified the sensory profile of the wines whereas the application of such energies during the ageing phase showed some positive trends at sensory level.

Read More

Towards a spatial analysis of antique viticultural areas: the case study of Amos (Turkey) and some other places

Interpretation of ancient texts, such as the Amos epigraphic farming leases, questions both locations and spatial extents of the viticultural area, as well as soils, landscapes, cropping methods

Read More

Biotic and abiotic factors affecting physiological aspects underlying vegetative vigour in two commercial grapevine varieties

Grapevine vigour, defined as the propensity to assimilate, store and/or use non-structural sugars for allowing fast growth of shoots and producing large canopies[1], is crucial to optimize vineyard management. Recently, a model has been proposed for predicting the vigor of young grapevines through the measurement of the vegetative growth and physiological parameters, such as water status and gas exchange[2]. Our objectives were (1) to explore the influence of the association of two grapevine varieties (Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon, grafted onto R110 rootstocks) with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on the vegetative vigour of young plants; and (2) to assess the effect of environmental factors linked to climate change on the vegetative vigour of Cabernet Sauvignon.

Read More

Evaluation of the adaptation of Palomino Fino clones based on their physiological response

Genetic diversity within grapevine cultivars is a fundamental resource for varietal improvement and adaptation to cultivation requirements.

Read More

Direct-injection HPLC for simultaneous determination of individual and total polyphenols in red wines: validation of the method

Polyphenols are very important compounds of red wines, serving as essential bioactive components and playing an important role in sensory properties. The determination of individual phenolic compounds in red wine is commonly performed by HPLC analysis, while the total polyphenols are quantified by spectrophotometric methods, usually by the method of absorbance at 280 nm (index of ribéreau-gayon) or the method of index of folin-ciocalteu. In this work, we pioneeringly proposed a new and fast method for simultaneous determination of individual and total polyphenols in red wines by direct-injection HPLC without sample preparation.

Read More