Effect of certain climatic variables on the phenolic and aromatic composition of two red grape varieties (Merlot and Cabernet-Sauvignon) grown in the Mancha region (Spain)

As viticulture faces increasing threats from emerging pests, understanding and dealing with new infestations is crucial.

The decision for grape berries to ripen involves a complex interplay of genetic regulation and environmental cues. This review explores the molecular mechanisms underlying the transition from vegetative growth to ripening, focusing on transcriptomic studies and the role of the NAC gene family. Transcriptomic analyses reveal a significant rearrangement of gene expression patterns during this transition, with up-regulation of ripening-related genes and down-regulation of those associated with vegetative growth. A molecular phenology scale providing a high-precision map of berry transcriptomic development, indicates that key molecular changes occur well before the onset of ripening.

Significant wine aroma can be formed from non-volatile precursors that are linked to sugars, including but not limited to grape-derived monoterpene and C13-norisoprenoid glycosides.

Full understanding of grapevine responses to variable soil resources requires
assessing the grapevine root system. Grapevine root systems are expansive and examining deep roots (i.e., >40 cm)
is particularly important in conditions where grapevines increase reliance on deep soil resources, such as drought
or plant competition. Traditional methods of assessing roots rely on morphological traits associated specific
functions (e.g., root color, diameter, length), while recent methodological advances allow for estimating root
function more directly (e.g., omics). Yet, the potential of applying refined methods remains underexplored for roots
at deep depths.

In Spain, the wide diversity of red grapevine varieties represents an advantage when choosing the most suitable one for cultivation based on different climatic conditions, without implying a loss of their enological potential.