Terroir 2006 banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 The role of œnology in the enhancement of terroir expression

The role of œnology in the enhancement of terroir expression

Abstract

The reality of terroir is reflected by the typicality that it confers on the wine. The relationship between the origin of wine and its quality did already exist before the appearance of œnological science. Producers and merchants have always tried to improve wine quality in order to satisfy their clients. Before being scientific, this approach was empirical. Grands Crus emerged in Bordeaux when wine could be aged thanks to the development of techniques like disinfecting barrels with sulphur candles, racking, topping up and bottling with cork stoppers. Pasteur was the founder of the oenological science. He had a scientific, but also very practical approach. In the 1930’s, the application of the knowledge about pH, oxydo-reduction and colloids to wine production improved stabilisation of wines. The principles of modern red wine vinification and control over malolactic fermentation were first established in Bordeaux Grand Crus in the 1950’s-1960’s, before being internationally adopted. In the 1980 the œnological science progressed in the understanding and the control of alcoholic fermentation. Today, the role of nitrogen, lipids, temperature and oxygen are well understood. Knowledge about yeast genetics helped to select yeasts for various styles of wines. Off flavours in wines are better controlled since the molecules that are involved have been identified. Wine typicality is, among other factors, determined by its aromatic profile. Wines aromas can be different than the aromas in the grapes from which the wine was produced. The understanding of white wine aromas progressed over the last years, but a lot of work has still to be done on red wine aromas. Tannin quality is also a field that is not yet well explained by oenological science. Œnology should not lead to produce uniform « fast wines », but help to produce original and typical wines, for the pleasure of the amateurs and the profitability of wine producing and distributing companies.

Download the PDF

DOI:

Publication date: January 12, 2022

Issue: Terroir 2006

Type: Article

Authors

Denis DUBOURDIEU

Faculté d’œnologie, Université Victor Ségalen Bordeaux 2, 351, cours de la Libération 33405 Talence, France
Institut des Sciences de la Vigne et du Vin de Bordeaux

Keywords

oenology, terroir, aroma, yeast, typicality

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Terroir 2006

Citation

Related articles…

High pressure homogenization of fermentation lees: acceleration of yeast autolysis and evolution of white wine during sur-lies ageing

AIM: High pressure technologies represent a promising alternative to thermal treatments for improving quality and safety of liquid foods.
Read More

The Wine Active Compounds (WAC) conference 2022

The 5th edition of the International Conference Series on Wine Active Compounds (WAC) will be held from 29 June to 1 July 2022 (Dijon, France). All authors with accepted abstracts will have the possibility to publish either a short 4-pages article or a...
Read More

REDUCING NITROGEN FERTILIZATION ALTERS PHENOLIC PROFILES OF VITIS VINIFERA L. CV. CABERNET GERNISCHT WINE OF YANTAI, CHINA

Nitrogen (N) fertilizer is important for grape growth and the quality of wine. It is essential to address the mismatch between N application and wine composition. Cabernet Gernischt (Vitis vinifera L.), as one of the main wine-grape cultivars in China, was introduced to Yantai wine region in 1892. This grape cultivar is traditionally used for quality dry red wine with fruit, spices aroma, ruby red and full-bodied wines. In order to regulate vine growth and improve grape and wine quality, Cabernet Gernischt grapevines were subjected to decreased levels of N treatments, compared to normal N supply treatment, during grape growing seasons of 2019 and 2020.

Read More

Spontaneous fermentation dynamics of indigenous yeast populations and their effect on the sensory properties of Riesling

Varietal Riesling aroma relies strongly on the formation and liberation of bound aroma compounds. Floral monoterpenes, green C6-alcohols, fruity C13-norisoprenoids and spicy volatile phenols are predominantly bound to disaccharides, which are produced and stored in the grape berry during berry maturation.

Read More

Current climate change in the Oplenac wine-growing district (Serbia)

Serbian autochthonous vine varieties Smederevka (for white wines) and Prokupac (for rosé and red wines) are the primary representatives of typical characteristics of wines and terroir of numerous wine-growing areas in Serbia. In the past, these varieties were the leading vine varieties, however, as the result of globalization of winemaking and the trend of consumption of wines from widely prevalent vine varieties, they were replaced by introduced international varieties. Smederevka and Prokupac vine varieties are characterized by later time of grape ripening, and relative sensitivity to low temperatures. Climate conditions can be a restrictive factor for production of high-quality grapes and wine and for the spatial spreading of these varieties in hilly continental wine-growing areas.
This paper focuses on the spatial analysis of changes of main climate parameters, in particular, analysis of viticultural bioclimatic indices that were determined for the purposes of viticulture zoning of wine-growing areas in the period 1961-2010, and those same parameters determined for the current, that is, referential climate period (1988-2017). Results of the research, that is, analysis of climate changes indicate that the majority of examined climate parameters in the Oplenac wine-growing district improved from the perspective of Smederevka and Prokupac vine varieties. These studies of climate conditions indicate that changes of analyzed climate parameters, that is, bioclimatic indices will be favorable for cultivation of varieties with later grape ripening times and those more sensitive to low temperatures, such as the autochthonous vine varieties Smederevka and Prokupac, therefore, it is recommended to producers to more actively plant vineyards with these varieties in the territory of the Oplenac wine-growing district.

Read More