Effects of mesoclimate on the yield, quality and phenolic maturity of Grenache

Abstract

The potential climate change, due to global change, will increase temperature general and could increase at local level. These changes are not going to be the same in different parts of the world, being especially important in the Mediterranean Basin. Thus, according to the most pessimistic predictions temperature can rise until 4ºC and precipitation can be reduced close to 20% but this would be different according local conditions, being also changes in the distribution. In order to study the differences promoted by these climate differences we compared the phenology, yield and quality parameters of Grenache, grafted onto 110-R in two mesoclimatic areas in Catalonia (Spain), Batea (TA: Terra Alta Appellation) and Caldes de Montbui (CAT: Catalunya Appellation) during two consecutive years 2007 and 2008.
In TA rainfall and potential evapotranspiration (ET0) were higher than in CAT, but accumulated growing degree days (∑GDD) were lower, due to lower maximum temperatures and higher minimum temperatures in winter in CAT. The year 2007 was drier and warmer in both locations. Yield was significantly lower only in CAT2007, being no differences in leaf area, nor pruning weight. Veraison and harvest were advanced in 2007 in both locations. Phenological stages were longer in CAT both years. The length of the period between flowering to veraison, and from veraison to harvest is longer when accumulated rainfall during each period is higher. On the other hand, the higher the average of GDD during the period, the shorter the period was. Probable alcohol degree (PAD), Total Phenol Index (TPI), Color Index (CI), Anthocyanin Content (ANTT and ANTE), were higher and Flavan-3-ols content (DMACH) and Seed Maturity (SM) were lower in 2008, in both locations than in 2007, which could indicate that these parameters are very affected by drought, that in 2007 was one of the most dry ripening periods of last century in Catalonia.

DOI:

Publication date: November 23, 2021

Issue: Terroir 2010

Type: Article

Authors

M. Nadal (1), F. de Herralde (2), M. Edo (1), M. Lampreave (1), R.Savé (1)

(1) Grup de Recerca Viti-vinicultura, Facultat d’Enologia, Dept. Bioquímica i Biotecnologia, URV Marcel·lí Domingo s/n. Campus Sant Pere Sescelades, 43007 Tarragona, Spain
(2) IRTA Torre Marimon, Ecofisiologia, Torre Marimon. 08140 Caldes de Montbui, Spain

Contact the author

Keywords

Climate, Vitis, grapevine, drought, phenols

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Terroir 2010

Citation

Related articles…

Under-vine management effects on grapevine vegetative growth, gas exchange and rhizosphere microbial diversity

The use of cover crops under the vines might be an alternative to the use of herbicides or tillage, improving grapevine quality and soil characteristics. The aim of this research was to study the implications of different management strategies of the soil under the vines (herbicide, cultivation or cover crops) on grapevine growth, water and nutritional status, gas exchange parameters and belowground microbial communities. The experimental design consisted in 4 treatments applied on 35L-potted Tempranillo vegetative grapevines with 10 replicates each grown in an open-top greenhouse in 2022 and 2023. Treatments included two cover crop species (Trifolium fragiferum and Bromus repens), herbicide (glyphosate al 36%) and an untreated control.

Relationship between chemical parameters of tannins and in-mouth attributes of grape phenolic fractions

Establish relationships between taste and mouthfeel properties of grapes and tannin-related chemical parameters. Tempranillo Tinto and Garnacha Tinta grapes were harvested from distinct blocks in different dates; each sample collection date was separated by one week. Grapes were destemmed and macerated in 15% of ethanol for one week. The polyphenolic fraction (PF) of samples was submitted to solid phase extraction on C18 cartridges and recovered with ethanol. PFs were reconstituted in wine model and their taste and mouthfeel properties were characterised by rate-K-attributes methodology. In parallel, concentration (TC) and activity (TAc) of tannins as well as the concentration of tannins linked to anthocyanins (T-A) were determined using HPLC-UV–VIS.

The effect of Nitrogen and Sulphur foliar applications in hot climates

ine nitrogen deficiency can negatively influence the aroma profile and ageing potential of white wines. Canopy management can alter vine microclimate, affect the nitrogen availability and influence the response of leaf senescence. Increasing the nitrogen availability to vines can increase the Yeast Assimilable Nitrogen (YAN) levels in harvested fruit and wine. Studies show that foliar nitrogen and sulphur applications at véraison, on low YAN Sauvignon blanc grapes have an effect on the level of amino acids (Jreij et al. 2009) and on S-containing compounds such as glutathione and thiols (Lacroux et al. 2008), which in turn can influence the formation of major volatiles and the aroma profile of the wine.

The colour pattern of flower arrangements influence wine tasters’ sensory description

The arrangements of flowers and wine counterparts are inextricably linked. Whether a fundamental aspect of tablescaping or acolytes to broader entertainment rituals, they have an entangled history since ancient times. The aim of this contribution is to verify the influence of visually delicate and robust flower arrangements on individual description of wines. Changes in the sensory description of wines were investigated during subjects’ (thirty-two participants) exposure to three different conditions: the presence of delicate, robust, or totally absent flower arrangements.

Assessment of the optimal number of observations in the study of vineyard soil (Rigosol)

A study of soil pH on the experimental field resulted in a high variability of pH on a very small scale. This kind of heterogenity in soil pH have effects on growth of two grapevine varieties on rootstock Kober 5BB