Classification of the wine-growing environment of Central Mancha (Spain). First works

Absinthe is historically described as a distilled, highly alcoholic beverage. It is an anise-flavoured spirit derived from botanicals, including the flowers and leaves of Artemisia absinthium L. (“grand wormwood”), together with green anise, sweet fennel, and other medicinal and culinary herbs.

The sensory definition of the aging bouquet of red Bordeaux wines has been shown to be structured around seven main aromatic nuances: “undergrowth”, “spicy” “truffle”, “fresh red- and black-berry fruits”, “liquorice”, “mint”, and “toasted” (1). Some of these descriptors are also used to describe the aromatic notes of old Champagnes (2) suggesting common volatile compounds between these two types of wine.

Wine quality depends on grape biochemical constituents, including sugars, organic acids, amino acids, and bound and free aroma compounds, which are influenced by vineyard location and environmental factors such as temperature and precipitation [1].

Sustainable viticulture and winemaking continue to represent huge challenges, where a better knowledge about the functional role of biodiversity in the vineyard and wine ecosystems is required, as well as the varieties plasticity. Particular attention should be devoted to the spatial and temporal interactions between authorized or recommended varieties for a specific demarcated region and clime and vineyard conditions (such as soil type, orientation of the lines, age of the vine, density of planting, harvesting practices, among others).

The impact of viticulture on soil can be determined by comparing the biophysical properties that represent soil health at a particular site and depth with those same properties in soil considered to represent the ‘pre-vineyard’ state (the headland). Information gathered by this method shows the changes in soil properties following the change to viticulture depend on individual vineyard management and environment.