Search Results (82)

This study investigated the effects of six cap management protocols targeting contrasting oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) evolutions during alcoholic fermentation of Pinot noir wines. Treatments included twice-daily punch-downs (PD) and pump-overs (PO), 1 h air or N₂ injections (AirMix, N₂Mix), air injections triggered by ORP ≤ −40 mV (RedoxConAir), and equal N₂ injections concurrent to RedoxConAir wines (RedoxConN₂). AirMix wines maintained ORP values above 0 mV throughout fermentation, showed an oxidatively favored glutathione-to-glutathione disulfide ratio (GSH:GSSG) of 0.3:1, and had 21% lower total phenolics and 24% lower anthocyanins than PD wines. In contrast, N₂Mix wines maintained the lowest ORP, near −100 mV, and showed a reductively favored GSH:GSSG ratio (7:1). PD wines extracted 48% more flavan-3-ols than PO wines, consistent with greater berry integrity disruption and seed submersion. Volatile composition was also impacted: ethyl n-octanoate showed the highest OAV among esters, ranging from 147 in PO wines to 116 in AirMix wines. Results suggest the GSH:GSSG ratio served as an indicator of redox history, with potential implications for color and aroma preservation during aging. Inert gas mixings resulted in equal or greater total phenolic content, while excessive air injections may provide a tool to soften astringency. Full article

This study investigated the correlation between five primary volatile phenols (VPs) and their glycosides in smoke-exposed and non-smoke-exposed Pinot noir wines to assess and identify potential markers for smoke taint. The results showed that all putative VP-glycosides in smoke-exposed wines were higher than in non-smoke-exposed wines, with a fold change ranging from 2.11 to 31.88 for the top fifteen differentiations. VP-glycosides showed strong positive correlations among themselves, with correlation coefficients of 0.94 for hexose-guaiacol vs. pentose (P)-hexose (H)-cresol and 0.92 for syringyl-β-D-glucopyranoside vs. H-P-4-methylguaiacol. VP-glycosides also showed relatively high correlations with free and strong acid-hydrolyzed VPs. The correlation coefficient between H-P-guaiacol and free-form guaiacol is 0.71, and between H-P-guaiacol and total guaiacol is 0.78. The strong correlation suggests that these compounds are interconnected and regulated by the severity of smoke exposure. Multivariate analysis effectively differentiated smoke-exposed wines from non-smoke-exposed ones. However, more research is needed to fill the gaps in understanding smoke-derived compounds. Full article

The production of winter wines in Southeastern Brazil represents a relatively recent but expanding viticultural approach, with increasing adoption across diverse wine-growing regions. This system relies on the double-pruning technique, which allows for the harvest of grapes during the dry and cooler winter season, favoring a greater accumulation of sugars, acids, and phenolic compounds. This study aimed to characterize the phenological stages, thermal requirements, yield, and fruit quality of the fine wine grape cultivars ‘Sauvignon Blanc’, ‘Merlot’, ‘Tannat’, ‘Pinot Noir’, ‘Malbec’, and ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ under double-pruning management in a subtropical climate. The vineyard was established in 2020, and two production cycles were evaluated (2022/2023 and 2023/2024). Significant differences in the duration of phenological stages were observed among cultivars, ranging from 146 to 172 days from pruning to harvest. The accumulated thermal demand was higher in the first cycle, with a mean of 1476.9 growing degree days (GDD) across cultivars. The results demonstrate the potential of Vitis vinifera L. cultivars managed with double pruning for high-quality wine production under subtropical conditions, supporting the viability of expanding viticulture in the state of São Paulo. ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ and ‘Sauvignon Blanc’ showed the highest yields, reaching 3.03 and 2.75 kg per plant, respectively, with productivity values of up to 10.8 t ha⁻¹. ‘Tannat’ stood out for its high sugar accumulation (23.4 °Brix), while ‘Merlot’ exhibited the highest phenolic (234.9 mg 100 g⁻¹) and flavonoid (15.3 mg 100 g⁻¹) contents. These results highlight the enological potential of the evaluated cultivars and confirm the efficiency of the double-pruning system in improving grape composition and wine quality in non-traditional viticultural regions. Full article

Wine DNA fingerprinting (WDF), retrieved from the amplification of a wider panel of Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) marker mappings in the Vitis vinifera L. genome, was used to assess the monovarietal nature of Brunello di Montalcino wine. The reliability of the varietal assessment was carried out by estimating the PI values associated with resolutive unrooted dendrograms depicting the correct varietal nature of different wines. As few as five SSR DNA markers associated with a PI value of one over a million or less, PI ≤ 10⁻⁶, can identify the purity of Sangiovese against Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Primitivo (Zinfandel), and genetic variants of the Sangiovese as plant references. WDF was used on other monovarietal wines obtained from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir to test the feasibility of the method. In blended wines, the test was able to trace the main varietal component in a three-variety blend, keeping the varietal fingerprint detectable when the main variety was at least 75% (v/v). The data confirm how local genetic variants of Sangiovese can be tracked in commercial wines, becoming, at wine makers’ demand, part of an evidence synthesis of geographical origin. Full article

This study evaluates the impact of grape variety and harvesting method—manual versus mechanized—on must composition, wine quality, and economic performance in the Târnave viticultural area of Romania. Four grape varieties—Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Fetească Regală, and Muscat Ottonel—were analyzed. Manual harvesting increased reducing sugars by 4.3–5.1 g/L and decreased titratable acidity by 0.6–0.8 g/L, particularly in Pinot Noir and Muscat Ottonel. Alcohol content was higher by 0.4–0.6 vol% in manually harvested samples, and dry extract increased by 1.0–1.3 g/L. Mechanized harvesting raised catechin concentrations by 15–19 mg/L due to enhanced skin maceration, but also slightly elevated volatile acidity (by ~0.1 g/L). From an economic perspective, labor cost was reduced from 480 lei/ton (approx. EUR 96) for manual harvesting to 120 lei/ton (approx. EUR 24) with mechanization. Fuel and maintenance costs for mechanized equipment averaged 85 lei/ha (EUR 17), and equipment depreciation was estimated at 100 lei/ton (EUR 20). The total harvesting cost per ton decreased from 480–520 lei to 300–320 lei (approx. EUR 96 to EUR 64), representing a ~38% reduction. The study supports a hybrid approach: manual harvesting for sensitive or premium cultivars, and mechanization for cost-efficient, large-scale production, aligning wine quality goals with economic sustainability. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study reports the development of a straightforward, efficient, and cost-effective dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) method for the gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of volatile compounds present in wine. Methods: Four critical parameters were optimised using a D-optimal design to maximise extraction outcomes of the targeted analytes from a 10 mL sample, while minimising interference from other compounds. The analytical characteristics of the method were assessed using 36 target compounds. Results: The method provided satisfactory linearity (correlation coefficients > 0.990), good repeatability for both for intra- and inter-day measurements (RSD < 10.3%), and suitable recoveries of target analytes from both model (83–110%) and real matrices (80–120%). The validated method was subsequently applied to analyse the aroma profile of 30 New Zealand Pinot noir (PN) wine samples. Conclusions: This study contributes to the advancement of analytical techniques available to both industry and researchers to explore the complex aroma profiles of wines. Full article

This study investigates millerandage, a physiological disorder affecting grapes during their development. In the climate change context, millerandage can become a viticultural hazard problem causing yield drops and posing challenges regarding wine quality due to uneven ripening in grape clusters. Using the 2023 vintage data from the Research Station for Viticulture and Enology Blaj (SCDVV Blaj), Târnave wine region, Romania, we assessed the climate conditions of 2023, focusing on the adverse climatic conditions from the flowering phenophase and the observed millerandage grade that occurred as a consequence. A total of 26 grapevine cultivars were monitored, assessing millerandage grade by field observations carried out in two grapevine plantations (S1 and S2) in July (BBCH 79) and September (BBCH 87). The results show statistically significant differences, with cultivars like Ezerfurtu (Ez), Napoca (Na), and Rhin Riesling (RR) exhibiting a millerandage grade higher than 35%, while cultivars like Pinot noir (PN) and Pinot gris (PG) showed resilience, with millerandage grades below 1%. These findings highlight cultivar-specific vulnerabilities and provides insights into millerandage’s role as a climate change challenge in viticulture. Full article

Bulgarian wines are renowned worldwide and serve as a symbol of the country. However, ensuring wine authenticity and establishing reliable methods for its assessment are critical challenges in wine quality control. This study investigates the migration of chemical elements within the soil/grape/wine system and utilizes the findings to develop a method for identifying specific elements capable of distinguishing the geographical origin of wine. Additionally, it explores the potential to determine its botanical origin. Thirty monovarietal Bulgarian wines, specifically produced for this study with precisely known geographical and botanical origins, were analyzed for 20 chemical elements. These included macroelements such as Al, B, Ba, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, Sr, and Zn, as well as microelements like As, Cd, Co, Cr, Li, Ni, and Pb. The study encompassed white wines from Chardonnay, Muscat Ottonel, Sauvignon Blanc, Tamyanka, and Viognier varieties, as well as red wines from Egiodola, Broad-Leaved Melnik, Cabernet, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Marselan, Melnik, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Syrah. The chemical composition was determined in soil extracts (using acetate and EDTA extract to represent the bioavailable fraction), vine leaves, primary musts, and raw wines before clarification and stabilization. Statistically significant correlation coefficients were calculated for the soil/leaves, soil/must, and must/wine systems, enabling an analysis of the migration of chemical elements from soil to wine and the concentration changes throughout the process. The results identified elemental descriptors capable of indicating the geographical origin of wine. Full article

The research initiatives envisaged by the PNRR (Italian National Recovery and Resilience Plan) include the creation of innovation ecosystems to promote collaboration between universities, research centers, and local institutions with a focus on territorial integration and sustainability. The NODES Project (Nord-Ovest Digitale E Sostenibile) is part of this research. In this context, the Laboratory of Geomatics of the University of Pavia, in collaboration with other partners, deals with the study of the suitability maps for the renowned Pinot Noir wine. To achieve this, we considered different thematic input layers: elevation, slope, aspect, soil depth and type, Land Use Land Cover maps, NDVI, and current and forecast climatic aspects. An important thematic layer is concerned with the air temperature, which requires high spatial and temporal resolution. In the selected study area, the Lombardy Region has some accurate and reliable weather stations with high temporal resolution but low spatial resolution (7 stations in 648.5 square kilometers, i.e., one every 92 square kilometers). In addition, we considered Land Surface Temperature (LST) MODIS maps: these maps have good spatial resolution but present some voids and low temporal resolution. From the first evaluations made, the temperatures reported by MODIS are not always in excellent agreement with the ones from monitoring stations. To evaluate MODIS as a data source, we decided to use Kriging spatio-temporal interpolation. Starting from multitemporal MODIS data matrices, we interpolate them to estimate the temperature of the weather stations, in order to compare the estimation with the real weather station data, thus allowing the validation of MODIS data. Full article

The aromatic profile of red wines is influenced by various factors, among them being distinguished the pedoclimatic ones, the variety, or the production technology. In the winemaking process, the use of different yeast strains can lead to obtaining wines with specific or conventional aromas (commercial strains), but also to the production of wines with a regional character using local strains. This study focuses on the analysis and comparison of the compounds that offer aromas in five wine varieties (Pinot noir, Feteasca Neagra, Burgund Mare, Syrah, and Novac) from Recaș, Romania, obtained through microvinification under the influence of several types of starter strains (Enartis Ferm SC, Viniferm Sensacion, SCR297, SCR462). The concentrations of polyphenols and anthocyanins, as well as their antioxidant activity, were monitored, resulting in significant values, mainly using autochthonous strains isolated from local plantations. A total of 30 aroma compounds were identified, maximum amounts being noted in the assortments where SCR297/SCR462 yeasts were used within the fermentation process. From a sensory point of view, a lower floral modulation was found when using commercial Enartis Ferm SC Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeasts. In conclusion, it the importance was demonstrated of isolated strains from the region used in fermentation processes, resulting in more aromatic and locally specific red wines. Full article

Mesoporous titania nanoparticles (NPs) can be used for encapsulation polyphenols, with applications in the food industry, cosmetics, or biomedicine. TiO₂ NPs were synthesized using the sol-gel method combined with solvothermal treatment. TiO₂ NPs were characterized through X-ray diffraction, FTIR spectroscopy, the N₂ adsorption method, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and thermal analysis. The sample prepared using Pluronic F127 presented a higher surface area and less agglomerated NPs than the samples synthesized with Pluronic P123. Grape marc (GM), a by-product from wine production, can be exploited for preparing extracts with good antioxidant properties. In this regard, we prepared hydroethanolic and ethanolic GM extracts from two cultivars, Feteasca Neagra (FN) and Pinot Noir. The extract components were determined by spectrometric analyses and HPLC. The extract with the highest radical scavenging activity, the hydroethanolic FN extract, was encapsulated in titania (FN@TiO₂) and compared with SBA-15 silica support. Both resulting materials showed biocompatibility on the NCTC fibroblast cell line in a 50–300 µg/mL concentration range after 48 h of incubation and even better radical scavenging potential than the free extract. Although titania has a lower capacity to host polyphenols than SBA-15, the FN@TiO₂ sample shows better cytocompatibility (up to 700 µmg/mL), and therefore, it could be used for skin-care products. Full article

The quality of wine depends upon the quality of the grapes, which, in turn, are affected by different viticulture aspects and the climate during the grape-growing season. Obtaining wine professionals’ judgments of the intrinsic qualities of selected wine products is a time-consuming task. It is also expensive. Instead of waiting for the wine to be produced, it is better to have an idea of the quality before harvesting, so that wine growers and wine manufacturers can use high-quality grapes. The main aim of the present study was to investigate the use of machine learning aspects in predicting Pinot Noir wine quality and to develop a pipeline which represents the major steps from vineyards to wine quality indices. This study is specifically related to Pinot Noir wines based on experiments conducted in vineyards and grapes produced from those vineyards. Climate factors and other wine production factors affect the wine quality, but our emphasis was to relate viticulture parameters to grape composition and then relate the chemical composition to quality as measured by the experts. This pipeline outputs the predicted yield, values for basic parameters of grape juice composition, values for basic parameters of the wine composition, and quality. We also found that the yield could be predicted because of input data related to the characteristics of the vineyards. Finally, through the creation of a web-based application, we investigated the balance of berry yield and wine quality. Using these tools further developed, vineyard owners should be able to predict the quality of the wine they intend to produce from their vineyards before the grapes are even harvested. Full article

High-altitude and cold climate regions such as São Joaquim, in Santa Catarina, Brazil, a recent wine-growing region, are characterized by wines with pronounced acidity, ideal for sparkling wine production. The cultivars with potential for producing sparkling wines in this region were unknown. This research evaluates quality sparkling wines from Ribolla Gialla, Riesling Renano, Solaris, Sangiovese, Canaiolo Nero, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir. The study considered the phenological, productive, and qualitative performance of these varieties in the 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 seasons. Ribolla Gialla, Riesling Renano, and Sangiovese, with later bud break and better productive aspects, are the best viticultural adaptations for the region. Riesling Renano maintains higher acidity. Sparkling wines from Solaris, Chardonnay, and Ribolla Gialla showed the most balanced chemical parameters. Sangiovese produced sparkling wine with the highest aroma intensity and toasted notes. Considering phenological, productive, and qualitative parameters, Riesling Renano, Ribolla Gialla, and Sangiovese are the most promising varieties for sparkling wine production in São Joaquim. Quality sparkling wines can be produced in this region using varieties different from those traditionally used in Brazil, enhancing the diversity of Brazilian viticulture. Full article

This study introduced the application of concepts and methods from extreme value theory (EVT) to estimate the probability that daily minimum temperatures exceed springtime critical temperature thresholds for Pinot noir buds and young shoots as a function of springtime phenology. The springtime frost risk estimates were computed spatially for Pinot noir throughout the Willamette Valley (WV) American Viticultural Area (AVA) using a gridded dataset of historical daily minimum surface air temperature data. EVT-based springtime frost risk maps can inform vineyard-management operations by identifying those locations throughout a wine region with a low risk for any cold injury where remedial action is likely not necessary when there is a forecasted frost event. Frost risk estimates were computed for 1991–2021 and 1991–2022 to examine a potentially changed risk profile for springtime frost events throughout the WV AVA due to the April 2022 advective frost event. The April 2022 advective frost event influenced the risk profile throughout the AVA such that an event of its magnitude is now modelled to occur more frequently. The EVT-based risk analysis can be readily updated each year as new data become available. While spatially varying budbreak calculations facilitated computation of the spring frost risk estimates, the EVT approach profiled in this study does not necessarily depend on potentially uncertain predetermined budbreak date estimates. Gridded maps of extreme daily minimum temperature exceedances, reclassified relative to the springtime phenology critical temperature thresholds for Pinot noir, were readily combined with a ripening potential map to identify optimal areas for vineyard site selection throughout the WV AVA. When simultaneously evaluating Pinot noir ripening potential with springtime frost risk using historical data, the limiting factor for vineyard site selection throughout the WV AVA was frost risk, not ripening potential. The study approach is also applicable for other winegrape-growing regions, assessments of winter freeze risk and summertime heatwaves, and with non-gridded observed temperature datasets. Full article

The effects of canopy treatment with chitosan and the effects of the vineyard location on the quality parameters, volatile and non-volatile profiles, and sensory profile of Pinot Noir wines from South Tyrol (Italy) were studied. Multivariate statistical analysis was applied to identify the most relevant compounds associated with the variability in phenolics and anthocyanins (analyzed by UHPLC-MS), volatile components (HS-SPME-GCxGC-ToF/MS), and basic enological parameters. A clear separation of low-altitude wines (350 m.a.s.l.), which had a high concentration of most of the identified volatile compounds, compared to high-altitude wines (800 and 1050–1150 m.a.s.l.) was pointed out. Low altitude minimized the concentration of the most significant anthocyanins in wines from a valley bottom, presumably due to reduced sun exposure. Wines obtained from chitosan-treated canopies, and, more particularly, those subjected to multiple treatments per year showed a higher amount of the main non-volatile phenolics and were sensorially described as having “unpleasant flavors” and “odors”, which might suggest that grape metabolism is slightly altered compared to untreated grapevines. Thus, optimization of the treatment with chitosan should be further investigated. Full article