Agronomical assessment of a vine « terroir » map: first results in the « AOC » Minervois region

This study investigated if compositional differences between Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon grape varieties could influence the production of yeast-derived compounds. This work was based on the analysis of 40 experimental red wines made in triplicate fermentations from grapes harvested from two consecutive vintages in New South Wales (Australia). Grapes were picked at three maturity stages using berry sugar accumulation as physiological indicator, from nine commercial vineyards located in three different climatic regions (temperate, temperate-warm and warm-hot). A range of 30 yeast-derived wine volatiles including esters and alcohols were quantified by HS/SPME-GC/MS. Ammonia, amino-acids and lipids were analysed in the corresponding grapes. The juice total soluble solids (°Brix) in addition to the wine alcohol and residual sugar levels were also measured. The influence of grape maturity on wine ester composition was also variety dependent, particularly for higher alcohol acetate and ethyl ester of branched acids. This study highlights that varietal differences observed in Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon wines involve fermentation-derived compounds irrespective of the site (soil, climate, viticultural practices).

A major topic in viticultural research is the analysis of the relationships between climate on one side, and grape and wine quality on the other. It is well known that climatic conditions

The evaluation of different chemical compounds present in Uvalino wines was correlated with sensory analysis. The analysis showed a high content of polyphenolic compounds responsible for the organoleptic properties of wine, including color, astringency and bitterness.

Xylotrechus arvicola (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) is a pest in vineyards (Vitis vinifera) in the main Spain wine-producing regions with Protected Denomination of Origin (PDO). The action of the larvae, associated to the spreading of wood fungi, causes damage especially in important varieties of V. vinifera. X. arvicola females lay eggs concentrated in cracks or under the rhytidome in the wood vines, which allows the emerging larvae to get into the wood and make galleries inside the plant being then necessary to prune intensively or to pull up the bored plants (1). The objective of the study was to evaluate captures of X. arvicola insects in five varieties of V. vinifera in PDO León.

Xinomavro is a red grape variety from Northern Greece (Protected Designation of Origin), known for the nice acidities, perfectly appropriate for sparkling wine production (Rosé and Blanc de Noir). The elabo- ration of sparkling wine requires technical as well as scientific skills. Although the impact of the yeast strains and their metabolites on the final product quality is well documented, the action of bacteria still remains unknown.
The present work focuses (i) on the population diversity of lactic acid bacteria isolated from sparkling wines and (ii) on the technological effect of the species during sparkling wine elaboration.