Macrowine 2021
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 Effect of environmentally friendly vineyard protection strategies on yeast ecology during fermentation

Effect of environmentally friendly vineyard protection strategies on yeast ecology during fermentation

Abstract

AIM: Currently, an increasing concern from governments and consumers about environmental sustainability of wine production provides new challenges for innovation in wine industry. Accordingly, the application of more-environmentally friendly vineyard treatments against fungal diseases (powdery and downy mildew) could have a cascading impact on yeast ecology of wine production.

METHODS: This study evaluated the effect of a wide range of environmentally friendly products applied in the vineyard on grape yeast ecology at harvest, as well as during spontaneous and inoculated fermentations in winery and laboratory scale conditions. Yeast ecology was investigated using culture-dependent (plate counts) and -independent (Next Generation Sequencing) methods. Main oenological parameters and volatile compounds were monitored during spontaneous and inoculated fermentations. Spearman’s correlation was used to assess associations between ASVs changes and chemical composition observed over fermentation.

RESULTS: No significant differences were observed among the alternative and conventional treatments, compared to the controls, in terms of yeast population and biodiversity. The only exception was the increased population levels of Auerobasidium pullulans as response to three alternative treatments. This increase can positively affect the quality and the safety of the grapes, since A. pullulans is considered a biocontrol agent of pathogens. Overall, wine composition was greatly influenced by the inoculation, rather than the type of treatment applied previously in the vineyard. Fermentation data suggested that complete alcoholic fermentation was positively correlated to the application of antifungal treatment in the vineyard and the inoculation protocol used. Spontaneous fermentations conducted in laboratory using grapes previously treated with laminarin showed a higher relative frequency of Saccharomyces cerevisiae than other treatments, and its corresponding fermentation led to compounds responsible for floral and fruity scents without increasing the levels of the acetic acid.

CONCLUSIONS:

Yeast ecology in fermenting musts may be correlated to specific antifungal products and inoculation protocol employed, suggesting a link between principal active compounds, yeast biodiversity and wine chemical composition. These relationships could help to further control wine quality and improve consumer acceptance and economic value of wines.

DOI:

Publication date: September 3, 2021

Issue: Macrowine 2021

Type: Article

Authors

Vasileios Englezo, Vasileios ENGLEZOS, Ilario FERROCINO, Simone GIACOSA, Susana RIO SEGADE, Jatziri MOTA-GUTIERREZ, Luca COCOLIN, Luca ROLLE, Kalliopi RANTSIOU

University of Turin, DISAFA, Italy, University of Turin, DISAFA, Italy

Contact the author

Citation

Related articles…

Influence of polysaccharide extracts from wine by-products on the volatile composition of sparkling white wines

In the production of sparkling wines, during the second fermentation, mannoproteins are released by yeast autolysis, which affect the quality of the wines. The effect of mannoproteins has been extensively studied, and may affect aroma and foam quality. However, there are no studies on the effect of other polysaccharides such as those from grapes. Considering the large production of waste from the wine industry, it was proposed to obtain polysaccharide-rich extracts from some of these by-products[1].

Modeling island and coastal vineyards potential in the context of climate change

Climate change impacts regional and local climates, which in turn affects the world’s wine regions. In the short term, these modifications rises issues about maintaining quality and style of wine, and in a longer term about the suitability of grape varieties and the sustainability of traditional wine regions. Thus, adaptation to climate change represents a major challenge for viticulture. In this context, island and coastal vineyards could become coveted areas due to their specific climatic conditions. In regions subject to warming, the proximity of the sea can moderate extremes temperatures, which could be an advantage for wine. However, coastal and island areas are particular prized spaces and subject to multiple pressures that make the establishment or extension of viticulture complex.
In this perspective, it seems relevant to assess the potentialities of coastal and island areas for viticulture. This contribution will present a spatial optimization model that tends to characterize most suitable agroclimatic patterns in historical or emerging vineyards according to different scenarios. Thanks to an in-depth bibliography a global inventory of coastal and insular vineyards on a worldwide scale has been realized. Relevant criteria have been identified to describe the specificities of these vineyards. They are used as input data in the optimization process, which will optimize some objectives and spatial aspects. According to a predefined scenario, the objectives are set in three main categories associated with climatic characteristics, vineyards characteristics and management strategies. At the end of this optimization process, a series of maps presents the different spatial configurations that maximize the scenario objectives.

Characterization of Mesoclimatic zones competent for the culture of vine (vitis vinifera l.) in the province of San Juan, Argentina

Le zonage agroclimatique a pour objet de caractériser des lieux ayant des aptitudes distinctes pour la production de la vigne. La province de San Juan en Argentine est l’une des régions vitivinicoles les plus chaudes du pays.

Managing precision irrigation in vineyards: hydraulic and molecular signaling in eight grapevine varieties

Understanding the physiological and molecular bases of grapevine responses to mild to moderate water deficits is fundamental to optimize vineyard irrigation management and identify the most suitable varieties. In Mediterranean regions, the higher frequency of heat waves and droughts highlights the importance of precision irrigation to meet vine water demands and demonstrates the necessity for a deeper understanding of the different physiological responses among varieties under water stress. In this context, previous reports show an interplay between stomatal regulation of transpiration and changes in leaf hydraulic conductivity, also with the involvement of aquaporins (AQPs), particularly under water stress. However, how those signaling mechanisms are regulated in different grapevine varieties along phenological phases is unclear.

Temperature-based phenology modelling for the grapevine 

Historical phenology records have indicated that advances in key developmental stages such as budburst, flowering and veraison are linked to increasing temperature caused by climate change. Using phenological models the timing of grapevine development in response to temperature can be characterized and projected in response to future climate scenarios.
We explore the development and use of grapevine phenological models and highlight several applications of models to characterize the timing of key stages of development of varieties, within and between regions, and the result of projections under different climate change scenarios.