Can the foliar expression of esca symptoms modify the typicity of Terroir wines?

Abstract

Esca is a widespread grapevine trunk disease known to reduce yield and to alter wine composition. However, its effects on wine sensory characteristics remains poorly understood. This study investigated the influence of esca on the chemical and sensory profiles of Bordeaux red wines using a broad panel of wines from two vineyards over three vintages. This experiment takes into account symptom expression during the year of harvest, but also the previous history of symptoms in the parcel. Wines from symptomatic vines exhibited wine composition differences only when symptoms were present during the harvest year. Sensory differences between symptomatic and asymptomatic vine wines were minimal in young wines but became more pronounced with aging. Terroir wines are considered able to age and to develop a typical bouquet after reductive evolution. Aged wines from esca-affected vines showed accelerated color changes toward yellow hues, reduced fruitiness and complexity, and decreased tannin perception. These results indicate that esca has minimal influence on wine attributes early on, but increasingly affects sensory properties over time. This knowledge is important for esca management in the vineyard and the evaluation of Terroir wines intended for long-term aging.

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Acknowledgments

The author and co-authors would like to thank the ‘Club Médoc’ consortium for its technical and financial support for this work, as well as the French government’s CIR funding, which benefited the study.