Terroir 2020 banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 Regional impact on rootstock/scion mediated methoxypyrazine accumulation in rachis

Regional impact on rootstock/scion mediated methoxypyrazine accumulation in rachis

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the impact of Geographical Indications (GI) of South Australia on the rootstock/scion-mediated methoxypyrazine accumulation within the rachis of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. 

Methods and Results: Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz bunches were sampled at maturity from two South Australian GIs over the 2019 and 2020 harvest periods. From each region, a minimum of 18 bunches per rootstock/scion combination were sampled from across the vineyard and their rachis material was assessed for 3-isobutyl-2-methoxypyrazine (IBMP). Results indicated that region and rootstock choice significantly affect the concentrations of methoxypyrazines within the rachis material of both Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon varieties at harvest. 

Conclusion: 

This research highlights the effect of regionality on the concentration of methoxypyrazines within the rachis material of Cabernet and Shiraz vines grown on common rootstock varieties. The outcomes will conceivably inform viticulturalists and winemakers of how methoxypyrazine characteristics of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon rachis are impacted by common rootstock/scion combinations permitting informed rootstock selection and assisting in production of a target wine style.

Significance and Impact of the Study: The presence of rachis material during red must fermentation can confer methoxypyrazines to the wine. The presence of methoxypyrazines, and predominately 3-isobutyl-2-methoxypyrazine (IBMP), in red wine can impact the flavour and aroma profile due to their ‘green’ and ‘earthy’ characteristics. Interestingly, this phenomenon has been shown to impact the aroma profile of Shiraz wines, a variety that has not been shown to naturally produce methoxypyrazines within the berries. Furthermore, it appears that the concentration of methoxypyrazines within the rachis is mediated by rootstock/scion combination and the region in which the vines are grown. As rootstock uptake increases across Australia in response to biological threats and abiotic stresses, an understanding of the viticultural and regional influences on rootstock/scion mediated rachis composition is essential to facilitate the production of high-quality Australian wines under increasingly challenging conditions.

Download the PDF

DOI:

Publication date: March 25, 2021

Issue: Terroir 2020

Type : Video

Authors

Ross D. Sanders1,2,3, Paul K. Boss1,3, Dimitra L. Capone1,2, Catherine Kidman4, David W. Jeffery1,2*

1Australian Research Council Training Centre for Innovative Wine Production, The University of Adelaide, PMB1 Glen Osmond, SA, 5064, Australia
2School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, The University of Adelaide, Waite Campus, PMB1 Glen Osmond, SA, 5064, Australia
3CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Locked Bag 2, Glen Osmond, SA 5064, Australia
4Wynns Coonawarra Estate, 77 Memorial Drive, Coonawarra, SA 5263, Australia

Contact the author

Keywords

Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Vitis vinifera, wine aroma

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Terroir 2020

Citation

Related articles…

Volatile compounds production during ripening of cv. “Sangiovese” grapes from different terroir

“Sangiovese” (Vitis vinifera L. sativa cv. Sangiovese) is the main grape variety to be established in Italy, being the only country in Europe where this grape is commonly found.

Read More

Mitigating the effects of climate change on berry composition by canopy management

Primary and secondary metabolites are major components of grape composition and their balances define wine typicality

Read More

Effects of soil water content and environmental conditions on vine water status and gas exchange of Vitis vinifera L. cv. chardonnay

Vine water status has a significant influence on vineyard yield and berry composition (Williams and Matthews, 1990; Williams et al., 1994). It has been hypothesized that the response of plants to soil water deficits may be due to some sort of “root signal” (Davies and Zhang, 1991). This signal probably arises due to the roots sensing a reduction in soil water content or an increase in the mecanical impedance as the soil dries out.

Read More

A phylogenomic study reveals the major dissemination routes of ‘Tempranillo Tinto’ in the Iberian Peninsula

‘Tempranillo Tinto’ is a black-berried Iberian cultivar that originated from a hybridization between cvs. ‘Benedicto’ and ‘Albillo Mayor’ [1]. Today, it is the third most widely grown wine grape cultivar worldwide with more than 200,000 hectares of vineyards mostly distributed along the Iberian Peninsula, where it is also known as ‘Cencibel’, ‘Tinta de Toro’, ‘Tinta Roriz’, and ‘Aragonez’, among other synonyms. Here, we quantified the intra-varietal genomic diversity in this cultivar through the study of 35 clones or ancient vines from seven different Iberian wine-making regions. A comparative analysis after Illumina whole-genome sequencing revealed the presence of 1,120 clonal single nucleotide variants (SNVs).

Read More

Reviewing the geometry of terraces in the Douro region towards sustainable viticulture

The Douro demarcated region constitutes just over 50% of the area of mountain vineyard in the world, i.e., vineyards with slope gradients of 30% or above. Among the different (terraced) vineyard layouts, the formerly preferred wider terraces supporting two rows of vines and the currently advocated narrower single vine row, dominate the vineyards’ planting layout. The slope of these terraces, in other words, the supporting earth ramp, is a key element in these vineyards’ construction.

Read More