Influence of grape withering on corvina and corvinone aroma composition

Abstract

AIM:Valpolicella is a wine region located in Italy north-east, famous for the production of dry and sweet red wines from withered grapes, including Amarone and Recioto. The aim of this study is to understand the influence of the withering process on Corvina and Corvinone wines aroma profiles.

METHODS:Wines were produced with a standard red wine winemaking protocol with Corvina and Corvinone grapes from different Valpolicella vineyards and vintages. In consideration of the local traditional practice of post-harvest withering of the grapes, wines from each vineyard were obtained from either fresh and withered grapes. Wines were analysed by Solid Phase Extraction and Solid Phase Micro Extraction gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry.

RESULTS:Within each variety, multivariate analysis showed a greater effect of the withering process compared to grape geographical origin. Withered grapes wines exhibited higher content of norisoprenoids, in particular TPB, vitispirane e β-damascenone, with increases up to 2,8-folds compared to wines produced with fresh grapes. Withering also induced an increase in benzenoids such as vanillin, methyl vanillate, ethyl vanillate and benzyl alcohol. Terpene content of withered wines was lower compared to fresh grape wines except for β-citronellol which generally increased. Wine esters content, except ethyl butanoate, generally decreased with grape withering.

CONCLUSIONS:

The withering process deeply changes wines aroma profile. Modifications induced by withering cannot be simply ascribed to the concentration effect of evaporation, but involve more complex phenomena affecting grape and yeast metabolism.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:

Azienda Agricola f.lli Tedeschi is acknowledged for financial support

DOI:

Publication date: September 15, 2021

Issue: Macrowine 2021

Type: Article

Authors

Giovanni Luzzini 

University of Verona,Davide SLAGHENAUFI, University of Verona Maurizio, UGLIANO, University of Verona

Contact the author

Keywords

amarone, valpolicella, withered grapes wines, red wines aroma

Citation

Related articles…

Marketing and zoning (“Great Zoning”): researches and various considerations

Dans de précédents travaux sur le zonage “GRANDE ZONAZIONE” (GZ) (“Grand Zonage”), on a traité, entre autre, de la “GRANDE FILIERA” (GF) (Grande filière) où parmi les 54 descripteurs prévus pour lire et évaluer par exemple un zonage, sont compris aussi la Communication

The role of tomato juice serum in malolactic fermentation in wine

Introduction: Malolactic fermentation (MLF) is a common process in winemaking to reduce wine acidity, maintain microbial stability and modify wine aroma. However, successful MLF is often hampered by their sluggish or stuck activity of malolactic bacteria (MLB) which may be caused by nutrient deficiency, especially when MLB are inoculated after alcoholic fermentation (Alexandre et al., 2004; Lerm et al., 2010). Identification and characterization of essential nutrients and growth factors for MLB allows for production of highly efficient nutrient supplements for MLF.

The South African vineyard landscapes: impact on long term cultural practices

This paper follows the one presented by Saayman at the International Symposium on Landscapes of Vines and Wines in the Loire Valley during July 2003. Where Saayman’s paper described the heritage and development of South African vineyard landscapes, this one focuses on how the landscape is used to assist in decision-making concerning the most important long term practices.

REMEDIATION OF SMOKE TAINTED WINE USING MOLECULARLY IMPRINTED POLYMERS

In recent years, vineyards in Australia, the US, Canada, Chile, South Africa and Europe have been exposed to smoke from wildfires. Wines made from smoke-affected grapes often exhibit unpleasant smoky, ashy characters, attributed to the presence of smoke-derived volatile compounds, including volatile phenols (which occur in free and glycosylated forms). Various strategies for remediation of smoke tainted wine have been evaluated. The most effective strategies involve the removal of smoke taint compounds via the addition of adsorbent materials such as activated carbon, which can either be added directly or used in combination with nanofiltration. However, these treatments often simultaneously remove wine constituents responsible for desirable aroma, flavour and colour attributes.

Multicriteria assessment of 11 agroecological viticulture systems during six years

Context and purpose of the study. Modern conventional agriculture, including viticulture, relies greatly on the use of chemical inputs, especially synthetic pesticides.