Interest in measuring the grape texture to characterise grapes from different cultivation areas – Example of Cabernet franc from the Loire Valley

The interaction between mannoproteins and wine phenolic compounds is a subject of great interest as some studies show the possible impact in color stability and an improvement in the sensory characteristics namely the reduction of red wine astringency.

Regenerative agriculture (RA) practices aim to minimize soil disturbance, keep soil covered, maintain living roots underground, and integrate livestock to improve soil health and sustainability.

Antão Vaz is a Portuguese white grapevine variety grown mainly in the wine-growing regions of Southern Portugal, particularly in the Alentejo, Lisbon and Setúbal peninsula regions. It is a very vigorous and productive variety, giving the wines a strong identity. It needs heat and sunlight and prefers deep and dry soils, which makes it tolerant to scald caused by the high summer temperatures of Southern Portugal. However, this variety is very susceptible to downy mildew, caused by plasmopara viticola, a very destructive disease in years with rainy springs.

Climate change and reduction of inputs are two major challenges for viticulture and oenology. With increasing temperature, wines become less acid and microbiologically less stable (1).

The hot and dry climate of the Demarcated Region of Douro (DRD), Portugal, particularly during the summer, induces soil water deficits that influence the growth and development of grapevines.