Agroclimatic characterization of Monreale DOC appellation for vine growing

We propose here a brand new large routine microbiological analysis method intended for oenology, in flow cytometry, using high performance equipment and triple selective cell staining, activated by fluorescence. The results and practical applications of the method are presented: Brettanomyces (Dekkera) Monitoring, fermentations monitoring, bottling and enological practices monitoring.The method allow a complete new microbiological tool for wine industry.The method has been accredited ISO 17025 in our laboratories.

Sforzato di Valtellina DOCG is a special reinforced red wine produced using withered Nebbiolo grapes. The withering process takes place in traditional rooms under natural environmental conditions; it starts immediately after the harvest and ends not before the 1st December of the same year. The process can be performed with different bunch placements that can influence the grapes features.The purpose of the study is to compare the effect on grape physico-chemical parameters for four withering bunch placement systems: hanged clusters (HC), plastic crates (CT), breathable mesh fabric on wooden frames panels (MF), and reed mats (RM). For all the systems studied, the withering length was two months at a temperature between 6 and 19 °C and a relative humidity of 41-88%.

The selection of ancient grapevine varieties aims to achieve genetic gains in several important traits that can make the variety more interesting for the objectives of the producers. Traditionally, yield and quality traits of the must have been considered for selection, but many others can be taken into account. Linear mixed models are fitted to the data to predict the empirical best linear unbiased predictors (EBLUPs) of genotypic effects for each evaluated trait, which will be the basis for selection.

A consequence of climate change is the modification of grape harvest quality and physico-chemical parameters of the obtained wine: increase in alcoholic degree, decrease in pH, and modification of the extractability of macromolecules, which leads to problems of microbiological, tartaric, colour and colloidal stability. In order to respond to these problems, the winemaking processes must be anticipated and adapted with a better knowledge of macromolecule extractability in grapes and their evolution, according to the grape variety, vintage and winemaking process. The purpose of this study was to understand 1) how the harvest date can influence the extractability of macromolecules, polysaccharides and phenolic compounds, which are responsible for wine stability 2) how to adapt the winemaking process to the harvest date in order to optimise wine quality.

In the context of sustainable viticulture, modern and efficient techniques to determine water status are required to optimize irrigation practices. Proximal techniques such as thermography and spectroscopy have shown promising results. When these techniques are incorporated into mobile systems is possible to evaluate the water status on-the-go, offering the possibility to generate variability maps. However, in most cases, complex protocols of data acquisition and analysis are required. Also, the inherent physiological behaviour of the plants under certain water stress conditions needs to be considered. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of scion-rootstock combinations on the performance of a predefined plant-based method based on proximal near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy.