Aroma composition of young and aged Lugana and Verdicchio

Abstract

AIM: Verdicchio and Lugana are two Italian white wines produced in the Marche and Garda lake regions respectively. They are however obtained using grape varieties sharing the same genetic background, locally known as Verdicchio in Marche and Trebbiano di Soave in Garda. Anecdotal evidence suggests that these two wine types exhibit distinctive aroma features. The aim of this work was to explore the existence of a recognizable odour profile for Lugana and Verdicchio, and whether specific aroma chemical markers could be identified.

METHODS: 13 commercial wines, 6 Lugana and 7 Verdicchio were used. Sensory analysis was done using sorting task methodology, assessing only odor similarities. A total of 53 volatile compounds were identified and quantified GC-MS analysis. Aging behaviors were also evaluated after an accelerated aging at 40 ° C for 3 months.

RESULTS: HCA analysis of sorting task data identified indeed two groups: one characterized by floral and minty notes and mostly associated with Lugana wines, the other characterized by spicy and toasted aromas and mostly associated with Verdicchio. From a chemical point of view, major differences between the two wines types were observed for cis-3-hexenol, methionol, phenylethyl alcohol, and geraniol. Lugana wines showed generally higher contents of terpenes, esters and methyl salicylate. Methyl salicylate was found in both wine types, in Lugana reaching concentrations greater than 105 µg/L. Methyl salicylate content of these wines was generally much higher than that reported for other wine types, so that this compound could be considered as varietal marker of Lugana and Verdicchio wines. Samples after accelerated aging showed that Lugana formed higher amount of p-cymene, while Verdicchio was characterized by the formation of vitispirane.

CONCLUSIONS:

Significant differences exist between Lugana and Verdicchio wines both at a sensorial and chemical level. These results highlight that environment and viti-enological practices play a fundamental role in the aroma expression of wines in spite of the very similar genetic background of the grape.

DOI:

Publication date: September 16, 2021

Issue: Macrowine 2021

Type: Article

Authors

Davide Slagheanufi

Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Italy, Filippo FORTE, Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona Riccardo MANARA, Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona Giovanni LUZZINI, Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona Maurizio UGLIANO, Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona

Contact the author

Keywords

lugana; verdicchio; wine aroma; chemical signature; sortin task

Citation

Related articles…

High-throughput sequencing analysis based on nematode indices revealed healthier soils of organic vineyards 

Proper soil health assessments are crucial for sustainable cropland. Among the widely employed approaches, evaluating nematode community structure is particularly suitable. Traditionally, the taxonomic characterization of soil nematodes has relied on time-consuming morphology-based methods requiring experienced experts. However, molecular tools like high-throughput sequencing have emerged as efficient alternatives. In this study, we performed a metataxonomic analysis of soil samples collected from 57 vineyards in the DOCa Rioja region of Northern Spain, focusing on the impact of organic viticulture and cover cropping compared to integrated pest management (IPM) and tilling practices.

Further insight on the use of yeast derivative products as alcoholic fermentation enhancers

Issues that can arise during the alcoholic fermentation are frequently attributed to imbalances or deficiencies in the nutrient composition of the fermentation medium.

Protection juridique du terroir viticole en France

The diversity of potential sources of damage to the terroir of an appellation (physical, aesthetic, ecological damage, damage to the image, to collective representation or even, in a broad concept which will not be retained here, to the geographical name identifying the terroir) is accompanied by a fragmentation of the legal sources allowing its protection.

Elucidating vineyard site contributions to key sensory molecules: Identification of correlations between elemental composition and volatile aroma profile of site-specific Pinot noir wines

The reproducibility of elemental profile in wines produced across multiple vintages has been previously reported using grapes from a single scion clone of Vitis vinifera L. cv. Pinot noir. The grapevines were grown on fourteen different vineyard sites, from Oregon to southern California in the U.S.A., which span distances from approximately hundreds of meters to 1450 km, while elevations range from near sea level to nearly 500 m. In addition, sensorial (i.e. aroma, taste, and mouthfeel) and chemical (i.e. polyphenolic and volatile) differences across the different vineyard sites have also been observed among these wines at two aging time points. While strong evidence exists to support that grapes grown in different regions can produce wines with unique chemical and sensorial profiles, even when a single clone is used, the understanding of growing site characteristics that result in this reproducible differentiation continues to emerge. One hypothesis is that the elemental profile that a vineyard site imparts to the grape berries and the resulting wine is an important contributor to this differentiation in chemistry and sensory of wines. For example, various classes of enzymes that catalyze the formation of key aroma compounds or their precursors require specific metals. In this work, we begin to report correlations between elemental and volatile aroma profiles of site-specific Pinot noir wines, made under standardized winemaking conditions, that have been previously shown to be distinguished separately by these chemical analyses.

Comportement phénologique et végétatif de la cv “Italia” en rapport an climat dans les deux zones typiques de viticulture de table en Sicile

Le travail a le but de contribuer à faire connaître l’influence du milieu, en particulier le climat, sur l’expression génétique de la variété Italia en Sicile.
L’etude a étè effectué durant six années, du 1992 au 1997