Terroir 2006 banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 International Terroir Conferences 9 Terroir 2006 9 Climate component of terroir (Terroir 2006) 9 Effect of certain climatic variables on the phenolic and aromatic composition of two red grape varieties (Merlot and Cabernet-Sauvignon) grown in the Mancha region (Spain)

Effect of certain climatic variables on the phenolic and aromatic composition of two red grape varieties (Merlot and Cabernet-Sauvignon) grown in the Mancha region (Spain)

Abstract

Between 2002 and 2004 we studied the behaviour of two red grape varieties – Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon – within the scope of an experimental protocol encompassing 14 plots, 7 of which had not been cultivated, situated in geographically distant locations representing different terroirs of Castilla-La Mancha. A brief geopedological characterisation was performed of the different plots (geological stratum, topography, geomorphology, type of soil…). The agronomic characteristics of the plots were also determined (crop age, planting density, vegetation growth control, fertilisation…). The most significant climatological variables for wine production, IS (Dryness Index), IH (Heliothermal Index) and IF (Cool Night Index), the dates of the four most representative phenological states in vines (shooting, semi-flowering, semi-veraison and ripening), the importance of plant cover (LAI: Leaf Area Index) and phenolic composition (phenolic ripening parameters) and aromatic composition (GC/MS: gas-phase chromatography combined with mass spectrometry) of ripe grapes were some of the parameters monitored in these years. The results obtained show that the thermal regime during the vegetative cycle and ripening, as well as certain cropping practices (particularly those that influence vine architecture and fruit characteristics and weight), bear an important influence on the phenolic and aromatic composition of grapes during ripening, even in the semi-arid conditions of La Mancha.

DOI:

Publication date: January 12, 2022

Issue: Terroir 2006

Type: Article

Authors

Raquel ROMERO, Jesús MARTINEZ, Esteban GARCÍA et Juan Luis CHACÓN

Instituto de la vid y el vino de Castilla, La Mancha (IVICAM), Ctra. de Albacete s/n, 13700 Tomelloso (Ciudad Real), Spain

Contact the author

Keywords

Cabernet-Sauvignon, Merlot, climatological variables, aromas, phenols

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Terroir 2006

Citation

Related articles…

Studying the redox state of wines under oxidative processes with a multi-parametric analysis

The detection of reducing compounds such as phenolic acids, anthocyanins or tannins is of prime importance to decipher on the antioxidant and anti-aging properties of wines.

Multisensory experiential wine marketing

Interest in the pairing, or matching, of wine with music goes way back, with commentators initially using musical metaphors merely to describe the wines that they were writing about. More recently, however, this has transformed into a growing range of multisensory tasting events in which wine and music are deliberately paired to assess, or increasingly to illustrate, the impact of the latter on

Climate, Viticulture, and Wine … my how things have changed!

The planet is warmer than at any time in our recorded past and increasing greenhouse emissions and persistence in the climate system means that continued warming is highly likely. Climate change has already altered the basic framework of growing grapes for wine production worldwide and will likely continue to do so for years to come. The wine sector can continue to play an important role in leading the agricultural sector in addressing climate change. From developing on…

Typologie des paysages de vigne: un outil de planification

La culture de la vigne dessine un paysage rural original. En effet, de par ses qualités physiologiques, ses exigences agronomiques et les techniques qu’elle requiert, elle est à l’origine d’un portrait de nature sculpté, architecturé, parfois même comparé à l’art des jardins. A ce que l’on pourrait le cas échéant qualifier d’« art involontaire »

Cumulative effect (6 years) of deficit irrigation in two important cultivars of Douro region, Portugal

Numerous studies have demonstrated the importance of irrigation in improving the grape yield and quality in areas with arid and semiarid climates, particularly in the context of ongoing climate changes. However, the introduction of irrigation in vineyards of the Mediterranean basin is a matter of debate, in particular in those of the Douro Demarcated Region (DDR), due to the limited number of available studies in this region. The present study aimed to evaluate how different irrigation deficits for 6 years would influence production and must quality in Touriga Francesa (TF) and Touriga Nacional (TN) varieties.