Macromolecular characterization of disease resistant red wine varieties (PIWI)

Abstract

AIM: Pilzwiderstandsfähige (PIWI) are disease resistant Vitis vinifera interspecific hybrid varieties that are receiving increasing attention for ability to ripen in cool climates and their resistance to grapevine fungal diseases. Wines produced from these varieties have not been characterized, especially regarding their macromolecular composition. This study characterised and quantified colloid-forming molecules (proteins, polysaccharides and phenolics) of red PIWI wines produced in the UK.

METHODS:
In 2019 6 wines were made from the PIWI varieties Rondo, Cabernet Jura, Cabernet Cortis, Cabernet Noir, Regent and Cabertin grown at the Plumpton Rock Lodge Vineyard in Sussex (UK) and harvested at similar level of maturity (TSS, pH and TA). All juice was chaptalized to the same potential alcohol of 12%. Small scale winemaking (1L) was performed in quadruplicate using Bodum® coffee plungers to manage maceration [1]. Residual sugar content, pH, and titratable acidity were monitored during fermentation. For finished wines, the protein and polysaccharide content was measured by HPLC-SEC [2], while the total phenolic content was assessed using the Folin-Ciocalteau method [3]. The protein profile of the wines was further investigated by SDS-PAGE [4].

RESULTS: Fermentations (n=24) were all carried out to completion within 8 days. The resulting wines showed important differences in terms of their macromolecular composition. The total polysaccharide content ranged between 903-1217 mg/L and was higher than the typical content of red wines [5]. Also, the total phenolic content was greater than typical red wines from Vitis vinifera (range 2478-4678 mg/L), while the total protein concentration ranged between 114 -152 mg/L. Typical values for red wine range from 10-200 mg/L [4,6]. The electrophoresis analysis showed the presence of pathogenesis-related (defence) proteins, namely chitinases and thaumatin-like proteins in all wines, while a lipid transfer protein (LTP) was found in all wines except for Cabernet Cortis. This is noteworthy as LTPs can cause severe allergenic reactions [7].

CONCLUSIONS:

Hybrid red grape varieties have the potential to produce wines with chemical and macromolecular composition in line with those from Vitis vinifera. This is a promising result for their future adoption in winegrowing regions subjected to difficult climatic conditions and high disease pressure. However, given that PIWI varieties are likely to over-produce pathogenesis-related proteins as a defence mechanism, future investigations should explore the role of these proteins with regard to colloidal and colour stability and allergenic potential.

DOI:

Publication date: September 16, 2021

Issue: Macrowine 2021

Type: Article

Authors

Edward Brearley

Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment, University of Padova, Italy,Matteo MARANGON, Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment, University of Padova, Italy Daniel JACKSON, Plumpton College, England Tony MILANOWSKI, Rathfinny Wine Estate, England Gregory DUNN, Plumpton College, England

Contact the author

Keywords

disease resistant, piwi, red wines, proteins, polysaccharides, phenolics, colloids

Citation

Related articles…

Influence of nitrogen source on expression of genes involved in aroma production in Saccharomyces uvarum

Saccharomyces uvarum has interesting properties that can be exploited for the production of fermented beverages. Particularly, the cryotolerance and capacity to produce high amounts of volatile compounds offers new opportunities for the wine industry.

Estimating grapevine water status: a combined analysis of hyperspectral image and 3d point clouds

Mild to moderate and timely water deficit is desirable in grape production to optimize fruit quality for winemaking. It is crucial to develop robust and rapid approaches to assess grapevine water stress for scheduling deficit irrigation. Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) has the potential to detect changes in leaf water status, but the robustness and accuracy are restricted in field applications.

VineyardFACE: Investigation of a moderate (+20%) increase of ambient CO2 level on berry ripening dynamics and fruit composition

Climate change and rising atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration is a concern for agriculture, including viticulture. Studies on elevated carbon dioxide have already been on grapevines, mainly taking place in greenhouses using potted plants or using field grown vines under higher CO2 enrichment, i.e. >650 ppm. The VineyardFACE, located at Hochschule Geisenheim University, is an open field Free Air CO2 Enrichment (FACE) experimental set-up designed to study the effects of elevated carbon dioxide using field grown vines (Vitis vinifera L. cvs. Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon). As the carbon dioxide fumigation started in 2014, the long term effects of elevated carbon dioxide treatment can be investigated on berry ripening parameters and fruit metabolic composition.
The present study aims to investigate the effect on fruit composition under a moderate increase (+20%; eCO2) of carbon dioxide concentration, as predicted for 2050 on both Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon. Berry composition was determined for primary (sugars, organic acids, amino acids) and secondary metabolites (anthocyanins). Special focus was given on monitoring of berry diameter and ripening rates throughout three growing seasons. Compared to previous results of the early adaptative phase of the vines [1], our results show little effect of eCO2 treatment on primary metabolites composition in berries. However, total anthocyanins concentration in berry skin was lower for eCO2 treatment in 2020, although the ratio between anthocyanins derivatives did not differ.
[1] Wohlfahrt Y., Tittmann S., Schmidt D., Rauhut D., Honermeier B., Stoll M. (2020) The effect of elevated CO2 on berry development and bunch structure of Vitis vinifera L. cvs. Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon. Applied Science Basel 10: 2486

Predictive Breeding for Wine Quality: From Sensory Traits to Grapevine Genome

New pathogen resistant varieties allow an efficient and greatly reduced use of fungicides. These new varieties promise, therefore, an enormous potential to reach the European Green Deal aim of a 50% reduction of pesticides in EU agriculture by 2030.

Twenty-two shades of grey – An analysis of alcohol regulations in the Arab world

This article compares alcohol regulations across 22 Arab League member countries.