Terroir 2010 banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 International Terroir Conferences 9 Terroir 2010 9 Historic and future climate variability and climate change: effects on vocation, stress and new vine areas (T2010) 9 Effect of vine nitrogen status on grape and wine quality: Terroir study in the Vaud vineyard (Switzerland)

Effect of vine nitrogen status on grape and wine quality: Terroir study in the Vaud vineyard (Switzerland)

Abstract

This study was conducted on soil-climate-plant relations (terroir) and their impact on grape composition and wine quality in the canton of Vaud by Agroscope Changins-Wädenswil ACW. An assessment of the vine nitrogen status on different terroirs was made by means of chlorophyll index, leaf nitrogen content and yeast assimilable nitrogen. Vine nitrogen status was observed to be highly related to soil type. Vines on the soil type “bottom moraines” showed lower vigour, smaller berries and a lower nitrogen status. Sensory analysis discriminated wines from different soil types. Vine nitrogen status through yeast assimilable nitrogen turned out to be strongly correlated with wine positive sensory descriptors and negatively correlated to wine astringency. In our study, the main environmental factors influencing vine development and wine quality was the soil type via its effect on vine nitrogen level. Our results confirm the role on nitrogen supply in grape and wine quality and underline nitrogen as a key factor in understanding the terroir effect.

DOI:

Publication date: December 3, 2021

Issue: Terroir 2010

Type: Article

Authors

J-S Reynard, V. Zufferey, F. Murisier

Agroscope Changins-Wädenswil ACW, CH-1260 NYON, Switzerland

Contact the author

Keywords

Soil component of terroir, vine nitrogen status, ecophysiology, grape and wine quality

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Terroir 2010

Citation

Related articles…

Freeze-thaw treatment to enhance phenolic ripening and tannin oxidation of seeds

Phenolic ripening represents a major interest for quality wine producers. Nevertheless, climatic or genotypical limitations can often prevent optimal maturation process. During winemaking seeds can be easily separated and technologically processed to improve their quality.

Classification of the wine-growing environment of Central Mancha (Spain). First works

This paper describes a zoning study performed on a vast territory of around 86,500 hectares, situated in the countryside area of La Mancha Central (Castilla-La Mancha). The aim of the study was to classify the environment according to a small number of ecological criteria, establish the relevant territorial units and generate thematic maps with the different levels of criteria employed and synthetic maps by crossing these criteria.

Algae protein: fining agent for white wine, sustainable, non-allergenic and animal-free

The development of non-animal and non-allergenic alternatives to traditional protein fining agents used in winemaking is of critical importance in order to ensure consumer safety and production sustainability. This study evaluates the effect of protein extracted from three types of algae (spirulina, chlorella vulgaris and tetraselmis chuii) as fining agents on the polymeric proanthocyanidin content responsible for astringency, as well as their effect on the colour, phenolic composition and volatile aroma of two white wines (a and b).

Closing the carbon loop: evaluating the potential of grapevine-derived biochar as a soil conditioner in warm climate vineyards

Significant increases in anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions due to combustion of fossil fuels and intensive land management practices that release CO2 into the atmosphere have resulted in higher air temperatures due to the greenhouse effect.

Study of the fruity aroma of red wines through perceptual interactions among volatile compounds in the context of climate change for the Bordeaux vineyard

The fruity aroma of red wines is described by a wide range of descriptors, ranging from fresh fruits to ripe and jammy fruits, to candied fruits and prunes notes [1]. The fruity quality of a red wine is characterized by notes of fresh and jammy red- and black-berry fruits.