Macrowine 2021
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 Macrowine 9 Macrowine 2021 9 Grapevine diversity and viticultural practices for sustainable grape growing 9 Insights into the stable isotope ratio variability of hybrid grape varieties

Insights into the stable isotope ratio variability of hybrid grape varieties

Abstract

The wine industry faces the consumer’s increasing demand for a sustainable and environmentally-friendly production [1]. This demand has been shared and boosted by the European Union within the European Green Deal in the Farm to Fork strategy that aims to reduce a 50% the pesticide utilisation in farming systems. Among the agronomical approaches so far proposed, the use of mould resitant hybrid varieties -based on crossings of Vitis vinifera with other Vitis spp [2]- with a high tolerance to the attack of vine patogens is gaining the vinegrowers attention and the production area is continuously increasing. The analysis of stable isotope ratio is the reference method to fight against counterfeiting in the wine industry, also thanks to the establishment of annual official reference databases in which the isotopic ranges of variability are reported [3]. This study aims to characterise and determine whether there is a varietal variation in the stable isotopic ratio of European Vitis vinifera to modern hybrid varieties. Wine samples produced with seven white varieties (Aromera, Bronner, Helios, Johanniter, Muscaris, Solaris, Souvignier Gris) and seven red varieties (Baron, Cabernet Cortis, Cabernet Cantor, Cabernet Carbon, Monarch, Prior, Regent) grown in two experimental plots sited in the north Italian region of Trentino were analysed for the stable isotopic ratio. Results were compared to the ratio isotopic ratio of the wines obtained from Vitis vinifera varieties of the same production area. The analyses were carried out by isotopic ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) and site-specific natural isotopic fractionation by nuclear magnetic resonance (SNIF-NMR), according to the official methods of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV). The comparison shows the tendency of some hybrid varieties to deviate from the regional averages in their stable isotope ratios. In particular, Monarch, Cabernet Carbon and Cabernet Cantor among the red varieties and Solaris, Helios and Souvignier Gris among whites, stood out with values that differed considerably from the regional stable isotope standard values of wines derived from V. vinifera. The study investigates for the first time hybrid varieties from an isotopic point of view.

DOI:

Publication date: September 2, 2021

Issue: Macrowine 2021

Type: Article

Authors

Matteo Perini, Simon Lanzb, Sergio Mosera, Tomas Romana, San Michele all’Adige, Federica Camina

Fondazione Edmund Mach (FEM), via E. Mach 1, 38010, Italy b University of Trento

Contact the author

Keywords

stable isotope; snif-nmr; irms; hybrid; grape

Citation

Related articles…

Influence of basalt on the terroir of the Columbia Valley American Viticultural Area

The Columbia Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA) of the Pacific Northwest, USA is the world’s largest officially recognized viticultural area with basalt bedrock.

La zonazione della Franciacorta: il modello viticolo della DOCG

La Franciacorta è una piccola regione collinare della provincia di Brescia. Il territorio è molto eterogeneo sia dal punto di vista geologico, che geomorfologico e pedologico. Circa 1.000 ettari sono destinati alla produzione di uve Chardonnay, Pinot bianco e Pinot nero per il vino Franciacorta ottenuto unicamente utilizzando la lunga fermentazione naturale in bottiglia.

Grapevine genotypes differ in xylem vessel occlusion after winter pruning 

Grapevines are continually wounded throughout their cultivation especially during winter pruning. Grapevines respond to wounding by occluding xylem vessels with gels or tyloses to limit pathogen attack and dehydration of the tissues. Although the production of xylem vessel occlusions has been studied in grapevine, to date we have no knowledge of whether different genotypes respond differently. The objective of this study was to characterize the genetic variation in xylem vessel occulsions in five different scion genotypes pruned at different dates.

Climate change – variety change?

In Franconia, the northern part of Bavaria in Germany, climate change, visible in earlier bud break, advanced flowering and earlier grape maturity, leads to a decrease of traditionally cultivated early ripening aromatic white wine varieties as Mueller-Thurgau (30 % of the wine growing area) and Bacchus (12 %). With the predicted rise of temperature in all European wine regions the conditions for white wine grape varieties will decline and the grapes themselves will lose a part of their aromatic and fruity expression. Variety change towards the cultivation of later ripening white wine varieties is a very expensive and long-term process, and must be accompanied by special marketing efforts.

Successful training on responsible wine consumption in Germany

Considering that „prevention requires information”, in 2007, the european education program wine in moderation (wim) started. The common message of responsible and only moderate wine consumption is implemented in each participating country, adapted to national circumstances. In germany, besides recruiting new wim members from the wine sector, the deutsche weinakademie focusses also on information and education of future wine makers and cellar men in professional schools. The seminars cover basic information about the existing legal framework (youth protecting law, drink driving laws, etc.), the self regulation code of conduct for commercial communications (advertising) of alcoholic beverages as well as the health effects of alcoholic beverages, and of wine in particular.