 IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 Macrowine 9 Macrowine 2021 9 Chemical diversity of 'special' wine styles: fortified wines, passito style, botrytized and ice wines, orange wines, sparkling wines 9 What is the best time to harvest grapes destined for withering? Ripeness and dehydration length affect phenolic composition of Nebbiolo grapes

What is the best time to harvest grapes destined for withering? Ripeness and dehydration length affect phenolic composition of Nebbiolo grapes

Abstract

AIM: Sfursat di Valtellina is a DOCG reinforced wine produced in Valtellina from partially withered red grapes of Vitis vinifera L. cv. Nebbiolo. The grape ripeness degree and the dehydration process strongly influence the physicochemical characteristics of grapes [1, 2, 3]. In particular, grape skin and seeds contain several classes of phenolic compounds strictly associated with red wine quality, which are significantly affected by these factors [4]. The aim of this research is to assess the combined influence of different ripeness levels and withering rates on the standard chemical composition and phenolic profile of winegrape in order to provide new insights and approaches to the management of withering, searching for the valorization of grape potentialities.

METHODS: During a two-year study (vintages 2019 and 2020) three binomials have been tested: early harvest/long withering (EL), medium-term harvest/medium-term withering (MM) and late harvest/short withering (LS). Grape samples of cv. Nebbiolo from two vineyards at different locations (Valtellina upper and lower valley) were harvested and placed into a typical ‘fruttaio’ dehydration room, following the wine type designation guidelines. Grape must composition, mechanical parameters and extractable phenolic profiles (total polyphenols, total anthocyanins, total flavonoids and methylcellulose tannin assay) of grape skins and seeds were studied before and after the withering process.

RESULTS: At the end of withering, EL thesis showed the highest values of sugars and acidity, and the lowest pH. The content of total polyphenols, flavonoids, and tannins in seeds showed a decreasing trend by leaving the grapes on the plant longer, whereas their impact increased considerably after withering with respect to fresh samples, due to berry dehydration. Instead, the skin phenolic compounds were less influenced by harvest period, but their concentrations on grape weight increased after withering. Skin extractable anthocyanins experienced a distinct trend for the two vineyards studied: their concentration increased in withered samples from the upper-valley vineyard and decreased in those from the lower-valley. The grapes mechanical properties may have influenced this aspect, as previously demonstrated [5]. Finally, the differences highlighted between the three binomials studied were more noticeable in vintage 2019 rather than in 2020, probably due to the higher rainfall in the final stage of grape ripening in vintage 2020.

CONCLUSIONS:

In this research, the combined effect of ripeness degree and withering process length have been studied. The results obtained shows that these two variables can be modulated according to the desired oenological objective. In general, early/medium harvest and long/medium withering gave the best results, particularly for seeds polyphenols, although the vineyard location and the weather conditions of the year influenced the withered grape phenolic characteristics.

DOI:

Publication date: September 16, 2021

Issue: Macrowine 2021

Type: Article

Authors

Giulia Scalzini

University of Torino, Italy,Maria Alessandra PAISSONI, University of Torino, Italy Simone GIACOSA, University of Torino, Italy Danilo DROCCO, Cantina Nino Negri, Italy Aldo RAINOLDI, Casa Vinicola Aldo Rainoldi, Italy Diego ORTIZ JACOB, University of Torino, Italy Giovanni BITELLI, University of Torino, Italy Susana RÍO SEGADE, University of Torino, Italy Vincenzo GERBI, University of Torino, Italy Luca ROLLE, University of Torino, Italy

Contact the author

Keywords

postharvest withered grapes, phenolic compounds, withering process, sfursat di valtellina, sforzato, reinforced wines, special wines

Citation

The effect of ozonated water treatment on the metabolic profile and resistance of vines to Downy and powdery mildew

Ozone is a potent oxidizing compound that quickly decomposes into oxygen without residues. Previous works reported that ozone is not only a disinfectant that directly harms the pathogens of the vine but also activates systemic defense systems in the plant by activating oxidative stress. We assume these systemic defense mechanisms are essential to the vines’ resistance to downy and powdery mildew (Plasmopara viticola & Erysiphe necator, respectively). The goals of the research are to examine the effect of spraying with ozone water on the plant’s resistance against the mentioned pathogens as well as to characterize the metabolic profile of the plants treated with ozone as well as physiological characteristics in the vines such as the level of Photosynthesis and crop yield. Vines in the vineyard sprayed with ozone water at concentrations of 2 and 4 PPM weekly and biweekly, untreated control & conventional spray. Leaves were taken from vines 2,4,7,9 and 11 days after exposure to ozone and inoculated with the pathogens.

The moment of preharvest elicitor application influence its final effect on winegrapes quality

Phenolic compounds are secondary metabolites of grapes. Plants produce a wide variety of this type of metabolites through diverse biosynthesis pathways and their production is sometimes a response to external stimuli, either environmental or biotic stresses. Some of them may act as chemical defenses against pathogens or herbivores and their synthesis is increased when the attack exists. However, it is remarkable that the synthesis of these interesting compounds can be activated even when the stimulus is not present, with the use of elicitors. These are substances that when applied exogenously trigger the biosynthetic pathways conducting to the synthesis of these defense compounds.

Future projections for chilling and heat forcing for European vineyards

Aims: The aims of this study were: (1) to compute recent-past thermal conditions over European vineyards, using state-of-the art bioclimatic indices: chilling portions and growing degree hours; (2) to compute future changes of these thermal conditions using a large ensemble of high-resolution climate models.

Influence of the vintage, clone and rootstock on the chemical characteristics of Syrah tropical wines from Brazil

In the Northeast of Brazil, vines can produce twice a year, because annual average temperature is 26ºC, with high solar radiation and water availability for irrigation.

Influenza dell’esposizione del vigneto sulla maturazione dell’uva

Lo studio è stato condotto in vigneti commerciali di Vitis vinifera cv Nebbiolo localizzati in Piemonte, Italia del Nord-Ovest, intorno alla sommità di una collina. L’obiettivo dello studio è stato di determinare come l’esposizione del vigneto possa influenzare il comportamento vegetativo della vite, il manifestarsi delle fasi fenologiche, e la cinetica di maturazione dell’uva con particolare riguardo all’accumulo di antociani e flavonoli.