Comparing the chemical and sensory consequences of grapevine smoke exposure in grapes and wine from different cultivars and different wine regions in Australia

The risk of wildfires is increasing as the frequency and severity of drought and heat waves continue to rise. Wildfires are associated with the combustion of plant materials and emit smoke. In the atmosphere, smoke may spread readily across large areas. Smoke is composed of solid and liquid phase particulates and gases and has been identified as a causal agent of “smoke taint” in wine. On a smoky day, the intensity of direct light decreases because these particulates scatter sunlight. Even though this effect is frequently assumed to decrease plant photosynthesis, this assumption ignores the potential changes in diffuse light and may be based on scant evidence.

Le terroir viticole, qui est la base de la délimitation des aires d’Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée, est une notion complexe dans laquelle sont en interaction la vigne, les facteurs naturels tels que le sol, le climat, ainsi que le facteur humain à travers les pratiques des viticulteurs. Le terroir conditionne la composition des raisins et ainsi la qualité et la typicité des vins qui en sont issus.

In this video recording of the IVES science meeting 2025, Marine Morel (EGFV, Univ. Bordeaux, Bordeaux Sciences Agro, INRAE, ISVV, Villenave-d’Ornon, France) speaks about the role of rootstock and its genetic background in plant mineral status. This presentation is based on an original article accessible for free on OENO One.

Odours deemed harmful by the consumer and described as “stable”, “horse sweat” or “burnt plastic” can be found in wines. The responsible molecules are volatile phenols, produced by a spoilage yeast: brettanomyces bruxellensis. This species is particularly well adapted to the wine environment and can resists many stresses such as a high alcohol level, a low ph or high levels of SO2, more or less efficiently depending on the strain considered.

n the last years, viticulture precision tools have been made available for farmers for different crops. The feeling that these tools are mandatory on an agriculture of the future have been disseminated by commercial entities but also from policy makers.