Terroir 2014 banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 The impact of vine nitrogen status on aroma potential expression in Vitis vinifera L. cv. Sauvignon blanc

The impact of vine nitrogen status on aroma potential expression in Vitis vinifera L. cv. Sauvignon blanc

Abstract

In interaction with climate and genetic or human factors, the soil is a major component of the viticulture terroir. The mineral composition of the soil influences vine performance and wine sensory attributes. Among the elements that vines take from the soil, nitrogen is the one that has the strongest impact on vine physiology, vigor and grape composition. In addition to its major effect on primary metabolites in berries, nitrogen plays also a decisive role in the secondary metabolism, especially in the production of key compounds for berries quality, like volatile thiols, methoxypyrazines and glutathione (GSH). 

To study the effect of nitrogen on these target metabolites, an experiment on Sauvignon blanc vines was performed in Bordeaux and Sancerre areas (France). Four nitrogen treatments were applied: control, soil application of 50kg N/ha, soil application of 100kg N/ha and foliar application of 15kg N/ha. Secondary metabolites were measured in grape berries and in wines produced through small scale vinifications. 

Yeast Assimilable Nitrogen and N-tester measurements showed a significant difference in vine nitrogen status among the four treatments. The analysis of volatile compounds showed an increase in the content of 3-sulfanylhexan-1-ol precursors (P-3SH) and GSH in berries from vines with high N status. Similar effect of nitrogen was observed on the concentration of 3SH and GSH in wine. 

This study will allow better management of vine nitrogen status in vineyards allowing a quantitative and qualitative control of grape berries.

DOI:

Publication date: August 18, 2020

Issue: Terroir 2014

Type: Article

Authors

Pierre Helwi (1), (3), Sabine Guillaumie (1), Cécile Thibon (2), Philippe Darriet (2), Cornelis van Leeuwen (1), (3) 

(1) Univ. Bordeaux, ISVV, UMR 1287 EGFV, INRA, 33882 Villenave d’Ornon France 
(2) Univ. Bordeaux, ISVV, Unité de recherche OEnologie EA4577, USC1366, INRA, 33882 Villenave d’Ornon France 
(3) Bordeaux Sciences Agro, ISVV, UMR 1287 EGFV, INRA, 33882 Villenave d’Ornon France 

Contact the author

Keywords

terroir, nitrogen, Sauvignon blanc, berry, wine, volatile thiols, methoxypyrazines, glutathione

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Terroir 2014

Citation

Related articles…

Assessing reserve nitrogen at dormancy for predicting spring nitrogen status in Chardonnay grapevines

Nitrogen (N) supply strongly influences vine productivity and berry composition, matching availability and uptake requirements of vines during the growing season is essential to optimize vine nutrition. The nutritional status of grapevines is commonly assessed by the determination of petiole nutrient concentrations at flowering. The reserve N could also be an earlier indicator for grapevine N status, this work aimed to assess how the petiole levels relate to these perennial N reserves.

Novel table grape varieties as “ready-to-eat” products

Consumers are increasingly requesting ready-to-eat products, which are time-saving and convenient. Offering ready-to-eat fruits and vegetables represents a quick and easy way for any consumer to add healthy products to their diet. In this study, we evaluated the aptitude of several table grape varieties to be included in the processing and packaging lines of ready-to-eat products. The following work was based on the characterization of genetic materials and varietal innovation.

The impact of nutrition label formats on wine consumer preferences

Recent regulations concerning alcoholic beverages have prompted producers to revise their product labels to incorporate nutritional information. In this context, qr codes containing such information, known as e-labels, are now being employed on wine labels for the first time.

Study of the volatil profile of minority white varieties

The genetic material preservation is a priority issue in winemaking research. The recovery of minority grape varieties can control the genetic erosion, contributing also to preserve wine typical characteristics. In D.O.Ca. Rioja (Spain) the number of grown white varieties has been very limited, representing Viura the 91% of the cultivated white grape area in 2005, while the others, Garnacha Blanca and Malvasía riojana, hardly were grown. For this reason, a recovery and characterization study of plant material was carried out in this region. In 2008, the results obtained allowed the authorization of three minority white varieties: Tempranillo Blanco, Maturana Blanca and Turruntés.

Merano Wine Festival 2020

IVES was a partner of the Merano Wine Festival (innovation section), a digital event held from 6 to 10 November 2020. During this festival participants attended scientific conferences on cutting-edge topics for the wine industry. Some of the topics covered have been selected from our journals