The environmental impact of viticulture: analysis of the influence type of biofertilisers on wine quality and microbiology activity of soil

Nitrogen (N) uptake by grapevine roots in forms like nitrate, ammonium, urea, or amino acids influences vegetative and generative growth, impacting grape quality and wine sensory profile. The study examined nitrogen’s influence on phenolic compounds in leaves, berries, and wine across different scales — hydroponics, soil culture, and vineyard trials. Nitrogen forms altered metabolite patterns in leaves and wine significantly, affecting aroma and flavor. Key nitrogen assimilation enzymes (NR, NiR, GS) in grapevine rootstocks responded to nitrogen forms and timing. Hydroponically grown rootstocks fertilized with various forms showed differences in enzyme expression and activity, suggesting rootstocks can assimilate amino acid glutamine (Gln).

Grapevine vegetative multiplication allows the accumulation of spontaneous mutations and increase intra-cultivar genetic diversity that can be exploited to maintain grape wine quality

Protein instability in wines is challenging, and despite many efforts to find satisfactory alternatives to bentonite, both in terms of stability and quality, the solutions are limited in the wine industry.

Prior to winemaking, organic or mineral nitrogen compound concentrations are usually measured in the vineyard and in grape musts. These indicators facilitate vine cultivation decisions, usually through yield or vigor. During vinification, yeast and bacteria metabolize nitrogen compounds in the musts in order to generate biomass. After fermentation, the microorganisms rerelease a part of this nitrogen as soluble compounds into the wines. Another part remains bound in the lees and can be lost during racking. The must’s natural nitrogen quantities, additional supplements during fermentation, and lees contact management enhance the release of nitrogen compounds to the wines. During ageing these nitrogen compounds – primarily the amino acids – are implicated in the generation of odorous compounds such as heterocycles(1).

In this video recording of the IVES science meeting 2023, Simone Vincenzi (Department of agronomy, food, natural resources, animals and environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, Italy) speaks about the prevention of quercetin precipitation in red wines with a promising enzymatic solution. This presentation is based on an original article accessible for free on OENO One.