Austrian Pinot blanc wines: Typicity, wine styles and the influence of different oenological decisions on the volatile profile of wines

C Philipp,P Eder,R Eder,S Sari,E Patzl-Fischerleitner,P Roca

doi:10.1051/bioconf/20191502005

C Philipp, P Eder + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.1051/bioconf/20191502005

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Abstract

Pinot blanc is found in all wine regions of Austria. However, it plays an economically subordinate role compared to the most important white grape variety, Grüner Veltliner. The concept of wine typicity and terroir is that the geographical origin and oenological practices, along with the grape variety, make an important contribution to the final expression of the finished wine. The purpose of this study was to discuss different styles of Austrian Pinot blanc wines and to discuss the various wine production decisions in terms of wine stylistics and aromatic profile. 131 commercial Austrian wine samples of the Pinot blanc variety of the 2015 to 2017 vintages were collected and the manufacturer's practices were determined by means of a questionnaire related to the wine styles. Using various GC-SIM-MS methods, more than 100 essential volatile substances were quantified. A trained panel, an expert panel and consumers evaluated the wines based on typicity and quality. 15 typical wines were then assessed on a sensory basis by means of predetermined aroma and wine styles. The four Austrian Pinot blanc wine styles previously discussed and presented by the same authors (citrus (1st style), green apple and green pear (2nd style), ripe yellow apple, quince, cooked pear, bread and honey notes (3rd style), as well as intensive oak notes (4th style)) were able to be partially reproduced by the trained panel. The following three wine styles could be better understood by the consumers: fresh fruity (style A), complex aroma with or without moderate wood (style B) and lots of wood aroma (style C). These styles (A–C) were able to withstand a sensory examination and a discriminant analysis by substance. An oenological guideline could help the producers to achieve the respective style. Austria's wine-growing area is probably too small and the importance of the Pinot blanc variety for the individual areas still too low to support the terroir concept for this grape variety.

Highlights

Pinot blanc is an old grape variety with some fans
The following three wine styles could be better understood by the consumers: fresh fruity, complex aroma with or without moderate wood and lots of wood aroma
Austria’s wine-growing area is probably too small and the importance of the Pinot blanc variety for the individual areas still too low to support the terroir concept for this grape variety

Summary

Introduction

Pinot blanc is an old grape variety with some fans. It is experiencing an unexpected renaissance in Central Europe, especially in Germany, South Tyrol and Austria. The distribution of the variety in Austria is relatively even. This means that Pinot blanc can be found everywhere, but it is not the most important grape variety anywhere and plays an economically subordinate role in comparison with Gruner Veltliner [1]. With a total cultivated area of 1,992 ha hectares, Austria is the third largest Pinot Blanc-producing country in the world (14,834 hectares) [2]

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