Macrowine 2021
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 The aroma diversity of italian white wines

The aroma diversity of italian white wines

Abstract

AIM: Aroma is a key contributor to white wines sensory typicality, perceived diversity and overall preference. Italy produces dry still white wines from native grape varieties and geographically defined areas, representing different grapegrowing, winemaking and cultural heritages. The related chemical and sensory elements, the relevant pathways and variables, and the factors associated with their olfactive perception are in large part not known. Altogether, this limits the implementation of production and marketing strategies truly based on the specificity of Italian white wines, with reduced competitiveness and sustainability. The aim of this project is to provide, by means of chemical and sensory approaches, a comprehensive characterization of the chemosensory diversity of Italian white wines.

METHODS: The project will focus on wines of the following appellations/varieties: Arneis, Albana, Erbaluce, Falanghina Fiano, Garganega, Greco di Tufo, Lugana, Nosiola, Pinot Grigio, Ribolla, Traminer aromatico, Trebbiano d’Abruzzo Verdicchio, Vernaccia di San Gimignano, Vermentino. Samples will be collected directly from wineries. About 20 wines will be collected for each appellation/variety. Analyses will include GC-MS and GC-O for the identification and quantification of the most potent impact odorants of each wine type, HPLC, SDS-PAGE, and UV-Vis for the quantification of non-volatile components, E-nose untargeted fast profiling of wine volatile composition, sensory evaluation by means of both rapid and descriptive methodologies. The main pathways of formation of the most relevant aroma compounds will be investigated, as well as their interactions with non-volatile components. Chemoperception mechanisms of selected key odorants will also be studied at the level of receptor-ligand interactions.

RESULTS: The chemical and sensory drivers of Italian white wine intrinsic and perceived diversity will be established, enabling optimized management of winemaking procedures, sustainable long-term strategies for geographical indication protection, tailored marketing and consumers response strategies and preferences. 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:

 This project is funded by Italian Ministry of Education and Research (MIUR), PRIN 2017.

DOI:

Publication date: September 10, 2021

Issue: Macrowine 2021

Type: Article

Authors

Maurizio Ugliano 

University of Verona, Italy,Matteo MARANGON, University of Padova, Italy Fulvio MATTIVI, University of Trento, Italy Giuseppina Paola PARPINELLO, University of Bologna, Italy Paola PIOMBINO, University of Naples, Italy Luca ROLLE, University of Turin, Italy

Contact the author

Keywords

italian white wines, aroma

Citation

Related articles…

Evaluation of two transmittance meters in estimating chlorophyll and nitrogen concentrations in grapevine cultivars

Two transmittance-based chlorophyll meters (SPAD-502 and CCM-200) were evaluated in estimating chlorophyll (Chl) and nitrogen (N) levels in grapevine leaves.

The capacity of spectrofluorometric fingerprints to discern changes of wine composition: applications in classifying wine additives and tracking red wine maturation and ageing

Fluorescence spectroscopy combined with chemometrics has shown advantages in wine analysis due to being rapid, sensitive, and selective to fluorescent molecules. Especially due to the abundant phenolic compounds [1], the molecular fingerprints afforded by fluorescence spectroscopy can potentially be used to discern and track the change of wine composition, with two innovative investigations having been implemented.

Impact of non-fruity compounds on red wines fruity aromatic expression: the role of higher alcohols

A part, at least, of the fruity aroma of red wines is the consequence of perceptive interactions between various aromatic compounds, particularly ethyl esters and acetates, which may contribute to the perception of fruity aromas, specifically thanks to synergistic effects.1,2 The question of the indirect impact of non-fruity compounds on this particular aromatic expression has not yet been widely investigated. Among these compounds higher alcohols (HA) represent the main group, from a quantitative standpoint, of volatiles in many alcoholic beverages. Moreover, some bibliographic data suggested their contribution to the aromatic complexity by either increasing or masking flavors of wine, depending of their concentrations.

SENSORY DEFINITION OF A TECHNICAL UNAVOIDABLE TRANSFER OF AROMA COMPOUNDS VIA SEALING IN A BOTTLING LINE IN ORDER TO PREVENT PROSECUTION DUE TO FRAUDULENT AROMATIZATION OF A SUBSEQUENTLY FILLED WINE

In 2020, 12% of all bottled German wines were aromatized, which may increase further due to rising popularity of dealcoholized wines. As sealing polymers of a bottling line absorb aroma compounds and may release them into regular wines in the next filling¹, this unintentional carry-over bears the risk to violate the legal ban of any aromatization of regular wine. However, following EU legislation, German food control authorities accept a technical unavoidable transfer of aroma compounds, if this is of no sensory significance.

Cover crops sown in the inter-rows shape the weed communities in three vineyards across Italy

The use of cover crops (CCs) is widely proposed as an alternative to traditional soil management in vineyards to exploit a wide range of ecosystem services. The presence of a CC in the inter-row space is known to control spontaneous vegetation in vineyards, primarily through the biomass of the sown crop, which competes with other spontaneous species for soil resources.