Estimation of plant hydraulics of grapevine in various «terroirs» in the Canton of Vaud (Switzerland)

Obiettivo del progetto è la valutazione dell’influenza climatica e pedologica dell’areale di Montefalco sul vitigno Sagrantino, ponendo particolare attenzione alla componente polifenolica e antocianica. Sono stati quindi messi a confronto, a partire dal 2001 fino al 2008, sei differenti zone tutte situate all’interno dell’areale DOCG Sagrantino di Montefalco; per ciascun vigneto alla vendemmia sono state effettuate analisi sui parametri analitici e sul contenuto polifenolico e antocianico delle uve. Ognuna delle sei zone è inoltre stata caratterizzata dal punto di vista pedoclimatico, valutando l’influenza del clima e della tipologia di suolo sui parametri analitici presi in considerazione.

To produce premium wines in a specific region is the goal of local oenologists. This study aimed to investigate the influence of soil properties on the flavoromics of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes to provide a better insight into single-vineyard wines. Six commercial Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards were selected in the Manas region to collect berries at three harvest ripeness in three seasons (2019–2021). The six vineyards had little difference in mesoclimate conditions while varying greatly in soil composition.

Champagne or sparkling wines elaborated through the same traditional method, which consists in two major yeast-fermented steps, typically hold about 10 to 12 g/L of dissolved CO2 after the second fermentation in a closed bottle. Hundreds of molecules and macromolecules originating from grape and yeast cohabit with dissolved CO2; they are essential compounds contributing to many organoleptic characteristics (effervescence, foam, aroma, taste, colour…). Indeed, the second alcoholic fermentation and the maturation on lees (which may last from 12 months up to several years) both induce various quantitative and qualitative changes in the wine through the action of yeast, as listed hereafter: development of aromas during aging on lees, release of nitrogen compounds during autolysis and release of macromolecules (polysaccharides, lipids, nucleic acids) in wine.

During wine aging many compositional changes take place. In particular, aroma undergoes dramatic modifications through a wide range of reactions that to date are only partly understood. Italy owns one of the largest ampelographic heritages worldwide, with over three-hundred different varieties. Among these, many white grapes are employed for the production of dry still white wines. Some of these wines are consumed young while others are more prone to aging. For many of these wines, the aging patterns related to volatile composition are still unknown.

In California vineyards, irrigation is considered as one of the most important decisions growers will make. Recent research has revealed that decisions of when to begin irrigation and how much water to apply have considerable consequences for final grape quality and hence wine quality. However, it is unclear whether and to what extent the average winegrape grower uses objective data to begin irrigating or to determine the amount of water to apply.