Macrowine 2021
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 European consumer preference for wines made from fungus resistant grape varieties

European consumer preference for wines made from fungus resistant grape varieties

Abstract

Fungus resistant grape varieties (FRGV or PIWI) offer many benefits such as less pesticide use or premium prices for enhanced sustainability. Still, winemakers are concerned about inferior wine quality. This study evaluates how European wine consumers assess wines made from new FRGVs in comparison to traditional V. vinifera varieties. Most of them were grown in the same vineyard. Four white (Calardis Blanc, Muscaris, Sauvignac, Cabernet Blanc) und three red (Satin Noir, Cabernet Cortis, Laurot) FRGV were compared to Riesling, Sauvignon blanc, Muskateller, Cab. Sauvignon and Merlot. For each FRGV, different styles were vinified using standardized protocols. The 28 most representative wines were selected, including the V. vinifera equivalents. 72 wine experts assessed their overall quality and the wines were mailed in 30 ml bottles to 118 German, 32 Danish and 27 French consumers, including a standardised wine glass. In a “home use test” consumers evaluated hedonic liking in 6 sessions. All wines were characterized by descriptive analysis using a trained panel (n=19 judges x 2 replications).All FRGV wines performed equally well as the V. vinifera wines. One consumer segment preferred yellow fruit and oaked white wines, which was linked to 12 h of skin contact. Consumers from all countries favoured tropical fruit aromas along with a sweetness (4-6 g/L sugar). Sauvignac and Cabernet Blanc wines from early harvest were rejected by consumers from all countries due to a vegetative flavour and sourness.Consumer varied more regarding red wines. A large consumer segment preferred the fruity and less tannic thermo-vinified wines, especially of Satin Noir. In contrast, harsh and bitter tannins of Cabernet Cortis were refused. A second segment preferred dark coloured red wines, such as Laurot and Satin Noir. Particularly the Laurot wines had similar sensory profiles and hedonic ratings as Merlot, indicating a good FRGV substitute. Bleeding and use of oak increased consumer acceptance, especially in France. Rosé wines of all red cultivars were equally preferred by all consumers.Due to equal preferences for FRGV and V. vinifera wines by consumers and experts, concerns regarding wine quality can be dismissed. FRGVs may be offered as more sustainable sensory “copies” of V. vinifera wines or in a completely different style using low intervention winemaking.

DOI:

Publication date: September 24, 2021

Issue: Macrowine 2021

Type: Article

Authors

Marc Weber, Ole KOHLMANN, Ulrich FISCHER,

DLR Rheinpfalz, Neustadt, Weincampus Neustadt 

Contact the author

Keywords

fungus resistant grape varieties, piwi, consumer preference, sensory evaluation, wine styles

Citation

Related articles…

Viticultural Climatic Zoning and Digital Mapping of Rio Grande do Sul – Brazil, using Indices of the Géoviticulture MCC System

The State Rio Grande do Sul is the main producer of Brazilian fine wines, with four viticultural regions. The objective is the characterization of the viticultural climatic potential of the State (total surface of 281.749 km2). The methodology use the Géoviticulture Multicriteria Climatic Classification System (Géoviticulture MCC System), based on three climatic indices – Dryness Index (DI), Heliotermal Index (HI) and Cool Night Index (CI).

Evaluation of Acıkara (Vitis vinifera L.) native grape variety of anatolia for red wine production potential

The acıkara grape variety, a nearly forgotten native black variety in Anatolia/Turkey, has recently gained interest in its potential for producing high-quality wine from producers and consumers. The potential of producing high-quality red wine from the Acıkara grape variety (vitis vinifera), which is cultivated on the elmalı/antalya in the highland (1100 m altitude) of western mediterranean region, was investigated, and the suitability of the wine’s characteristics associated with high-quality red wine was determined.

Influenze pedo-ambientali su produzione, qualità e caratteristiche sensoriali dell’Albana di Romagna

L’Albana è il vitigno a bacca bianca tradizionale delle colline della Romagna, dove é presente per più di 2.500 ha. Con le sue uve si produce il vino “Albana di Romagna”, una delle più storiche D.O.C.G. italiane essendo stata costituita nel 1987. La maggiore concentrazione di vigneti di Albana si trova nell’Imolese e nelle colline del Ravennate, ma ben conosciuta per la qualità del prodotto é anche la produzione di Bertinoro, nel Forlivese.

Effect of alcoholic strength on the phenolic and furfural compounds of Brandy de Jerez aged in Sherry Casks®

Brandy is a spirit drink produced from wine spirit aged for at least six months in oak casks with a capacity of less than 1000 L and minimum alcohol by volume (ABV) of 36%. During the aging process, physicochemical and sensory changes take place. Manifested by colour, flavour or aroma variations that improve the quality of the initial distillate.

Better understand the soil wet bulb formation with subsurface or aerial drip irrigation in viticulture

The gradual change in rainfall patterns experienced in the south of France vineyards, especially around the Mediterranean sea, means that the vines are increasingly subject to summer drought. The winegrowers developped the use of irrigation techniques to ensure the maintenance of competitive yields in the production of wines under Protected Geographical Indication label. In practice, drip irrigation pipes can be installed above the ground or buried into the soil as well as at different distances from the vine row. The objective of this study was to examine the profiles of the wet bulbs of the soil obtained from two drip irrigation systems : aerial drip located under the vine row and subsurface drip placed in the middle of the inter-row. This experiment took place over two consecutive seasons (2020-2021) on a 3.4 ha Viognier plot in the Mediterranean region (PGI Oc, France) on sandy clay soil. The annual rainfalls were less than 400 mm. Soil water content probes were installed at different depths (20 – 40 – 60 – 80 cm) and at different lateralities from the vine row (30 – 60 – 90 – 120 cm) to control the formation of the soil wet bulb during irrigation. The mapping and the analysis of the data allowed a better understanding and differentiation of the water percolation when irrigating with subsurface or aerial drip. For the same amount of water and without differences of vine water status, it is shown that in a subsurface drip irrigation situation, the size of the wet bulb formed is larger than in aerial drip irrigation system.