Terroir 2008 banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 Influence of organic plant treatment on the terroir of microorganisms

Influence of organic plant treatment on the terroir of microorganisms

Abstract

Several factors like vineyard site, climate, grape variety, ripeness, physical health of the grapes and pest management influence the populations of indigenous yeasts on grapes and later on in spontaneous fermentations. During spontaneous fermentations, so called “wild yeasts” could significantly influence the wine aroma. Some authors certify more complexity and an increase of wine quality to these fermentations. A widespread opinion is that spontaneous fermentation can help to emphasize the characteristics of a specific geographical area or even of one vineyard site.
This was checked in a three years experimental period testing different pest management strategies to replace or reduce copper and sulphur and comparing integrated, organic and biodynamic strategies. Alternatives to copper or sulphur treatments could however have an impact on the aroma profiles, as they alter the composition of natural yeast populations in the vineyard or lead to changes in yeast metabolism. This was tested with several alternative strategies compared to organic-standard and integrated variants. Effects on spontaneous flora, fermentation course and aroma profiles were analysed.
Yeast populations on grapes and at different stages of grape and must processing were isolated and determined using RFLP analysis of the ITS-region.
Hanseniaspora uvarum and Metschnikowia pulcherrima were the dominating species on the grapes in all variants. There was no correlation between the population dynamics of yeast during the processing and fermentation and the different pest management strategies.
In this survey the processing and the ecosystem winery seem to have a more important influence on yeast diversity than the microflora composition on grapes.

DOI:

Publication date: December 8, 2021

Issue: Terroir 2008

Type : Article

Authors

STÖLBEN T (1,2), RÜCK C (1,2), HERRBRUCK T (1,2), KAUER R (1), VON WALLBRUNN C (2)

(1) Fachbereich Geisenheim, Fachhochschule Wiesbaden, Von-Lade-Str. 1, 65366 Geisenheim
(2) Fachgebiet Mikrobiologie u. Biochemie, Forschungsanstalt Geisenheim, Von-Lade-Str. 1, 65366 Geisenheim

Contact the author

Keywords

 yeast, spontaneous fermentation, organic pest management, RFLP, sensory analysis

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Terroir 2008

Citation

Related articles…

The importance of the physicochemical composition of wine on the score awarded in an official contest

The quality of wine is difficult to define. This is most certainly accredited to everyone´s different perception of quality. Some of the indicators of high-quality wines are color complexity and balance. Color is one of the most crucial attributes of quality, not only for the obvious implications for their perception but also because they are indicators of other aspects related to its aroma and taste.

Performance of Selected Uruguayan Native Yeasts for Tannat Wine Production at Pilot Scale

The wine industry is increasing the demand for indigenous yeasts adapted to the terroir to produce unique wines that reflect the distinctive characteristics of each region. In our group, we have identified and characterized 60 native yeast strains isolated from a vineyard in Maldonado-Uruguay, in which three strains stood out: Saccharomyces cerevisiae T193FS, Saturnispora diversa T191FS, and Starmerella bacillaris T193MS. Their oenological potential was evaluated at a semi-pilot scale in Tannat must vinification in the wine cellar to have a more precise and representative evaluation of the final product.

The importance of rural extension and advisory services to achieve a sustainable viticulture in a climate change scenario

A healthy and dynamic agricultural sector is an important foundation of rural development, generating strong bonds to other economic sectors.

ALCOHOLIC FERMENTATION AND COLOR OF ROSÉ WINES: INVESTIGATIONS ON THE MECHANISMS RESPONSIBLE FOR SUCH DIVERSITY

Color is one of the key elements for the marketing of rosé wines due to their packaging in transparent bottles. Their broad color range is due to the presence of pigments belonging to phenolic compounds extracted from grapes or formed during the wine-making process. However, the mechanisms responsible for such diversity are poorly understood. The few investigations performed on rosé wines showed that their phenolic composition is highly variable, close to that of red wines for the darkest rosés but very different for light ones [1]. Moreover, large variations in the extent of color loss taking place during fermentation have been reported but the mechanisms involved and causes of such variability are unknown.

High-resolution climate modelling for the Cognac region under climate change

Climate change has varied effects across French vineyards, with marked regional differences in temperature shifts. Fine-scale studies highlight significant local climate variability, emphasizing the need for precise regional characterization to adapt vineyard management at the regional scale.