Using common viticultural practices to modulate the rotundone and 3-isobutyl-2-methoxypyrazine composition of Vitis vinifera L. cv. Fer N red wines from a temperate climate wine region with very cool nights

Olivier Geffroy,Olivier Yobregat,Carole Feilhes,Kasper Ibpfelt,Marco Li Calzi,Thierry Dufourcq

doi:10.20870/oeno-one.2019.53.4.2459

Olivier Geffroy, Olivier Yobregat + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.20870/oeno-one.2019.53.4.2459

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Journal: OENO One	Publication Date: Oct 11, 2019
Citations: 3	License type: cc-by

Affiliation: Purpan Engineering School

Abstract

Aim: Rotundone and 3-isobutyl-2-methoxypyrazine (IBMP) are two potent aroma compounds responsible for pepper and bell pepper notes in red wines, respectively. The aim of the study was to modulate, through common viticultural practices, the volatile composition in these two molecules of Fer red wines from a temperate climate wine region with very cool nights, located in the southwest of France.Methods and results: Three viticultural practices (leaf removal 10 days after berry set, removal of lateral shoots, and delayed harvest 7 days after the control) were investigated in 2015 and in 2016. Rotundone concentrations up to 69 ng/L were found in experimental wines. IBMP concentrations were below perception level in wines from 2016 and below detection level in wines from 2015, a vintage with particularly hot climatic conditions between berry set and bunch closure. Delayed harvest induced an increase in rotundone concentration while leaf removal and the removal of lateral shoots had no significant impact on rotundone concentration. Delayed harvest and the removal of lateral shoots were the most efficient practices to decrease IBMP in wines. The three techniques made it possible to increase the odour activity values (OAV) ratio of OAV rotundone to OAV IBMP, with the greatest impact observed for delayed harvest.Conclusion: According to our results, delayed harvest appears to be the best practice to modulate the volatile composition of Fer wines toward an increase in the OAV rotundone to OAV IBMP ratio.Significance and impact of the study: Our results may assist local grape growers to modulate the volatile composition of their wines.

Highlights

IntroductionFer is a dark-skinned grape variety which in 2015 covered 1548 ha exclusively in the southwest of France, according to FranceAgriMer (www.franceagrimer.fr)
Results of the analysis of variance (ANOVA) treatments showed that among the studied factors the vintage had the greatest impact on the measured variables (Table 1)
Our results indicate that common viticultural practices can be used to modify the composition in rotundone and IBMP of Fer wines

Summary

Introduction

Fer is a dark-skinned grape variety which in 2015 covered 1548 ha exclusively in the southwest of France, according to FranceAgriMer (www.franceagrimer.fr). Together with Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Carmenère, Petit Verdot, Castets and other minor cultivars, this variety was considered part of the ecogeographic group named “carmenets” by Bisson (1995, following Levadoux, 1948), according to morphological traits and supposed geographical origin. Fer is one of the grandparents of Carmenère, which is an offspring of Gros Cabernet and Cabernet Franc (Boursiquot et al, 2009). The earliest literary references to Fer appeared in 1783 (Rézeau, 1998) and this variety is presently known under several synonyms (i.e Braucol in Gaillac, Servadou in Lot-et-Garonne, Pinenc in Saint-Mont or Madiran, Mansois in Marcillac). More recently in 1966, Fer was used by INRA to breed Ferradou with Merlot (plantgrape.plantnet-project.org)

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