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…

Control of microbial development in wines elaborated by carbonic maceration

Carbonic Maceration (CM) winemaking is typically used in different European regions. But It is paradoxical that being a traditional processing system and widely used in many wineries, some of the phenomena that take place and the parameters that characterize them are barely known. In this vinification system the intact grape clusters are placed in a carbon dioxide (CO2) enriched medium, and they immediately change from a respiratory metabolism to an anaerobic fermentative metabolism called intracellular fermentation, which is carried out by grape enzymes. But some grapes located in the lower zone of the tank are crushed by the weight of the ones above and release must, which is fermented by yeasts.

NADES extraction of anthocyanins derivatives from grape pomace

Grape pomace is one of the main by-products generated after pressing in wine-making. It’s valorization through the extraction of bioactive compounds is the answer for the development of sustainable processes. Nevertheless, in the recovery of anthocyanins derivatives, the extraction stage continues to be a limiting step. The nature of the sample and the type of solvent determine the efficiency of the process

The role of protein-phenolic interactions in the formation of red wine colloidal particles

Colloids play a crucial role in red wine quality and stability, yet their composition and formation mechanisms remain poorly understood.

New food trend ahead? Highlighting the nutritional benefits of grapevine leaves

The wine industry produces an enormous amount of waste every year. A wider inclusion of disregarded by-products in the human diet or its use as a source of bioactive compounds is a good strategy for reducing waste. It will not only introduce an added value to a waste product but also come upon the European Union and United Nations’ demands towards more sustainable agricultural approaches and circular economy.

Influence of pre-fermentative steps on varietal thiol precursors

The content of 3-sulfanyl-1-hexanol and its acetate ester in wine is affected by a number of factors, including the concentration of its precursors S-3-(hexan-1-ol)-L-glutathione (G-3SH),