How climate change can modify the flavor of red Merlot and Cabernet-Sauvignon

Free amino acid concentrations in must of 7 Vitis vinifera cultivars (Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Merlot, Montepulciano, Sangiovese, Cesanese d’Affile, Carmenere) grown in the Latium region (Italy) were monitored from 2003 to 2005. The cultivars were located in a homogeneous soil and climatic zone and with the same training system (Cordon Spur).

Grape flavour management in the vineyard requires knowledge of the derivation of individual flavour and aroma characteristics and the effects that different concentrations and interactions between these compounds have on flavour potential.

In a framework in which climate change is increasingly recognized as a critical global challenge, traditional viticulture must be reconsidered in order to provide better solutions for future needs [1].

In Portugal, the prospection and conservation of representative samples of intra-varietal variability of grapevine has been carried out for 46 years, and in 2010 an infrastructure was created for the conservation of all these genetic resources – the portuguese association for grapevine diversity (porvid) experimental centre for the conservation of grapevine diversity. the aim is to save the genetic identity of ancient varieties to prevent their imminent loss and to preserve the raw material for current and future selections, thus adding economic value and sustainability to the vine and wine sector.

Table grape consumption worldwide has experienced a remarkable growth in the first two decades of the 21st century, becoming the third most consumed fresh fruit in some countries, after bananas and apples. This increase has been attributed to several reasons, including the availability of seedless grapes, which has been a key factor in the increase in consumption.