Grape Berry Composition Research Articles

Effect of row orientation, trellis type, shoot and bunch position on the variability of Sauvignon Blanc (Vitis viniferaL.) juice composition

Background and Aims Variation in grape berry composition around the mean has seldom been studied in its own right. From the perspective of the researcher and the viticulturist, increased variation requires greater replication to achieve good estimates of composition. Bunch position on the vine, berry position on the bunch and/or vine location in the vineyard may all contribute to differences in composition (TSS, titratable acidity, pH and malic acid) between berries. Our aim was to understand how variation may be influenced by maturity, row orientation and vine training. Methods and Results Berries were sampled regularly to study the effect of harvest time, training system, row orientation and position of fruit in the canopy on Sauvignon Blanc fruit composition. Variance, skewness (symmetry) and kurtosis (range about the mean) reduced as fruit ripened. Bunch position on a shoot contributed to >60% of the variance at harvest. Conclusions Differences in berry TSS at harvest largely reflected the date of flowering. The least mature bunches at harvest were generally the secondary bunches on basal shoots; the most mature were primary bunches on distal (Scott-Henry trained) or mid-cane (vertical shoot positioned trained) shoots. Differences in leaf area : fruit mass ratio per shoot had little effect on TSS between bunches. Significance of the Study Changes in berry population distribution as the fruit ripen have implications on the interpretation of experimental results from field trials. For convenience, experiments are harvested on a single date; however, our data clearly demonstrate differences in the population of berries at different times as fruit ripen and may be obscured by sampling strategies.

Effect of irradiating the leaf abaxial surface with supplemental light-emitting diode lights on grape photosynthesis

Background and Aims In southern China, where the solar radiation is insufficient for optimised grapevine growth, supplemental light sources are being used. The aim of the present study was to assess the practicability of light-emitting diode (LED) light as a supplemental light source to improve grape photosynthesis and berry composition. Methods and Results The leaf abaxial surface (Ab) of cv. Summer Black grapevines was illuminated by red, blue and compound LED light strips. In most cases, the net photosynthetic rate (Pn) of the light-treated plants was typically higher than that of the untreated Control (CK) on sunny and rainy days in all stages. Blue light promoted the Pn of the leaf adaxial surface (Ad), whereas red light promoted the Pn of Ab, and the effect of compound light was moderate. The light response curve on the Ad showed that blue and compound light can facilitate the use of high light by the grape leaf. The CO2 response curve indicated that leaves supplemented with blue light have a significantly advantageous CO2 assimilation. Grapes supplemented with compound and red light had a berry mass higher than that of the Control, whereas grapes supplemented with blue and compound light had improved berry composition. Conclusions Blue and compound LED irradiation increased leaf photosynthetic capacity and improved fruit composition, whereas red and compound LED irradiation increased berry mass. Significance of the Study The supplemental LED lights significantly optimised the light environment and improved photosynthesis and the composition of grape in southern China.

Applications of Geospatial Technologies to Understand Terroir Effects in an Ontario Riesling Vineyard

The objective of this study was to determine whether yield components and grape berry composition variables were related to and dependent upon soil texture and composition, vine water status (leaf water potential, Ψ), and vine size and to assess whether spatial patterns of leaf Ψ, vine size, and other field variables were temporally stable. Data were collected in a 10-ha Riesling vineyard at Thirty Bench Winemakers in Beamsville, ON. The vineyard was delineated using global positioning systems and 519 vines in six sub-blocks were geo-referenced. Soil water content (SWC; all sentinel vines) and leaf Ψ data (a subset of 134 sentinel vines) were measured bi-weekly from 2006 to 2009. Soil texture and composition data were also collected for the 134-vine subset. Yield components (yield, clusters per vine) and berry samples were collected from each sentinel vine, with an additional berry sample for monoterpene determination from the subset. Vine size was determined by weight of cane prunings. Berry samples were analyzed for Brix, pH, and titratable acidity (TA) and the additional berry samples, for free and potential monoterpenes. All variables were mapped using geographic information systems, which permitted verification of temporal stability and correlative and spatial relationships. SWC and leaf Ψ were temporally stable throughout the vineyard despite extremely different weather conditions. There was increased Brix and pH and decreased TA (enhanced grape maturity) with decreases in SWC, leaf Ψ, and vine size. Where SWC was very high, decreased leaf Ψ, vine size, and fruit maturity were observed. Sub-blocks with highest sand and soil organic matter tended to have higher vine sizes and more berry monoterpenes.

Application of sprinkler cooling within the bunch zone during ripening of Cabernet Sauvignon berries to reduce the impact of high temperature

Background and Aim High temperature stress has been linked to detrimental effects on berry composition during ripening. This study aimed to assess the impact of an evaporative cooling system located inside the grapevine canopy to mitigate extreme temperature effects on grape berry composition during ripening. Methods and Results During three seasons (2012 to 2015), an intra-canopy sprinkler system at the bunch zone was tested on Cabernet Sauvignon vines. The system cyclically sprayed (20 s/10 min) for an air temperature above 38°C, cooling the air inside the canopy by 3 to 5°C. This is in agreement with an air cooling simulation model. The relative humidity in the canopy also increased in the sprinkler-cooled canopy. No differences were detected in TSS, although sugar per berry was significantly higher in treated vines because of increased berry mass. There was a tendency for higher anthocyanins and phenolic substances per berry in cooled berries measured from two seasons and higher concentration of anthocyanins in wine from cooled fruit measured only in one season. We define indices that can be used to assess the efficiency of sprinkler cooling and to demonstrate the high efficiency of intra-canopy sprinklers compared to other systems. Conclusion Despite cooling operating only over a small duration of the ripening period, the increased berry mass indicates that high temperature, even for a short period, has a profound effect on berry growth. Other berry compositional properties and wine, however, were not impacted. Significance of Study This research demonstrates the potential of an efficient intra-canopy sprinkler system to reduce heat stress during ripening.

Differential responses of sugar, organic acids and anthocyanins to source-sink modulation in Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese grapevines.

Grape berry composition mainly consists of primary and secondary metabolites. Both are sensitive to environment and viticultural management. As a consequence, climate change can affect berry composition and modify wine quality and typicity. Leaf removal techniques can impact berry composition by modulating the source-to-sink balance and, in turn, may mitigate some undesired effects due to climate change. The present study investigated the balance between technological maturity parameters such as sugars and organic acids, and phenolic maturity parameters such as anthocyanins in response to source-sink modulation. Sugar, organic acid, and anthocyanin profiles were compared under two contrasting carbon supply levels in berries of cv. Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese collected at 9 and 14 developmental stages respectively. In addition, whole-canopy net carbon exchange rate was monitored for Sangiovese vines and a mathematic model was used to calculate the balance between carbon fixation and berry sugar accumulation. Carbon limitation affected neither berry size nor the concentration of organic acids at harvest. However, it significantly reduced the accumulation of sugars and total anthocyanins in both cultivars. Most interestingly, carbon limitation decreased total anthocyanin concentration by 84.3% as compared to the non source-limited control, whereas it decreased sugar concentration only by 27.1%. This suggests that carbon limitation led to a strong imbalance between sugars and anthocyanins. Moreover, carbon limitation affected anthocyanin profiles in a cultivar dependent manner. Mathematical analysis of carbon-balance indicated that berries used a higher proportion of fixed carbon for sugar accumulation under carbon limitation (76.9%) than under carbon sufficiency (48%). Thus, under carbon limitation, the grape berry can manage the metabolic fate of carbon in such a way that sugar accumulation is maintained at the expense of secondary metabolites.

Polyols in grape berry: transport and metabolic adjustments as a physiological strategy for water-deficit stress tolerance in grapevine.

Polyols are important metabolites that often function as carbon and energy sources and/or osmoprotective solutes in some plants. In grapevine, and in the grape berry in particular, the molecular aspects of polyol transport and metabolism and their physiological relevance are virtually unknown to date. Here, the biochemical function of a grapevine fruit mesocarp polyol transporter (VvPLT1) was characterized after its heterologous expression in yeast. This H(+)-dependent plasma membrane carrier transports mannitol (K m=5.4mM) and sorbitol (K m=9.5mM) over a broad range of polyols and monosaccharides. Water-deficit stress triggered an increase in the expression of VvPLT1 at the fully mature stage, allowing increased polyol uptake into pulp cells. Plant polyol dehydrogenases are oxireductases that reversibly oxidize polyols into monosaccharides. Mannitol catabolism in grape cells (K m=30.1mM mannitol) and mature berry mesocarps (K m=79mM) was, like sorbitol dehydrogenase activity, strongly inhibited (50-75%) by water-deficit stress. Simultaneously, fructose reduction into polyols via mannitol and sorbitol dehydrogenases was stimulated, contributing to their higher intracellular concentrations in water-deficit stress. Accordingly, the concentrations of mannitol, sorbitol, galactinol, myo-inositol, and dulcitol were significantly higher in berry mesocarps from water-deficit-stressed Tempranillo grapevines. Metabolomic profiling of the berry pulp by GC-TOF-MS also revealed many other changes in its composition induced by water deficit. The impact of polyols on grape berry composition and plant response to water deficit stress, via modifications in polyol transport and metabolism, was analysed by integrating metabolomics with transcriptional analysis and biochemical approaches.

Review: critical appraisal of methods to investigate the effect of temperature on grapevine berry composition

The grapevine is an economically important crop and a model species of long-lived perennials widely used in bioclimatic studies. Ambient temperature modulates berry composition, hence the significant research effort in establishing links between temperature, berry composition and wine attributes. Our current understanding of the effect of temperature on berries and wines has been largely gained from indirect methods or direct methods in controlled conditions. Indirect methods include comparisons of thermally contrasting locations and vintages; this approach is of value but is bound to be inconclusive as the effect of temperature is often confounded with other weather and climate factors (solar radiation, vapour pressure deficit and rainfall), management practices and soils. Direct experimental methods comparing fruit grown at a range of temperature are required to prove cause-and-effect, but attempts to modify the thermal regime of the plant often generate secondary effects. Experimental artefacts in controlled environments often include small soil volume, lack of wind and altered radiation regimes, with direct implications for plant physiology and berry composition. Experiments involving controlled temperature in vineyards aim at a higher degree of realism, but are constrained by cost, issues of scale in space and time, and are not necessarily free from artefacts. Indirect and direct methods are of course non-mutually exclusive but complementary. This review critically assesses the methods used to elucidate the effect of temperature on grape berry composition. It emphasises the limitations of studies where confounded effects are overlooked. With the focus on selected berry traits (total soluble solids, total and titratable acidity and anthocyanins), we analyse the dominant effect of temperature and highlight discrepancies and agreements between indirect and direct research methods.

Deconvoluting effects of vine and soil properties on grape berry composition.

Grape berry composition is influenced by several factors including grapevine and soil properties and their interactions. Understanding how these factors interact to determine berry composition is integral to producing berries with desired composition. Here we used extensive spatio-temporal data to identify significant vine and soil features that influence Shiraz berry composition. The concentrations of berry flavonoids (anthocyanins, tannin and total phenolics), total soluble solids and pH were typically negatively associated with canopy, crop and berry size factors whereas titratable acidity was positively associated. The strengths of the associations, however, were generally greater with the crop and berry size factors than with the canopy size factor. The analyses also resolved separate influences of berry and crop size on berry composition. Soil properties had significant influences on berry composition; however, when influences of soil factors on vine-attributes were accounted for, the apparent effects of soil factors on berry composition were largely non-existent. At each site, variations in berry composition were more strongly associated with crop and berry size than with canopy size factors. Apparent influences of soil properties on berry composition are indirect, being mediated via their effects on vine attributes (canopy, crop and berry sizes).

Ultraviolet-B radiation modifies the quantitative and qualitative profile of flavonoids and amino acids in grape berries

Grapevine cv. Tempranillo fruit-bearing cuttings were exposed to supplemental ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation under controlled conditions, in order to study its effect on grape traits, ripening, amino acids and flavonoid profile. The plants were exposed to two doses of UV-B biologically effective (5.98 and 9.66kJm−2d−1), applied either from fruit set to ripeness or from the onset of veraison to ripeness. A 0kJm−2d−1 treatment was included as a control. UV-B did not significantly modify grape berry size, but increased the relative mass of berry skin. Time to reach ripeness was not affected by UV-B, which may explain the lack of changes in technological maturity. The concentration of must extractable anthocyanins, colour density and skin flavonols were enhanced by UV-B, especially in plants exposed from fruit set. The quantitative and qualitative profile of grape skin flavonols were modified by UV-B radiation. Monosubstituted flavonols relative abundance increased proportionally to the accumulated UV-B doses. Furthermore, trisubstituted forms, which where predominant in non-exposed berries, were less abundant as UV-B exposure increased. Although total free amino acid content remained unaffected by the treatments, the increased levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), as well as the decrease in threonine, isoleucine, methionine, serine and glycine, revealed a potential influence of UV-B on the GABA-mediated signalling and amino acid metabolism. UV-B had an overall positive impact on grape berry composition.

Responses of grape berry anthocyanin and titratable acidity to the projected climate change across the Western Australian wine regions

More than a century of observations has established that climate influences grape berry composition. Accordingly, the projected global climate change is expected to impact on grape berry composition although the magnitude and direction of impact at regional and subregional scales are not fully known. The aim of this study was to assess potential impacts of climate change on levels of berry anthocyanin and titratable acidity (TA) of the major grapevine varieties grown across all of the Western Australian (WA) wine regions. Grape berry anthocyanin and TA responses across all WA wine regions were projected for 2030, 2050 and 2070 by utilising empirical models that link these berry attributes and climate data downscaled (to ∼5 km resolution) from the csiro_mk3_5 and miroc3_2_medres global climate model outputs under IPCC SRES A2 emissions scenario. Due to the dependence of berry composition on maturity, climate impacts on anthocyanin and TA levels were assessed at a common maturity of 22 °Brix total soluble solids (TSS), which necessitated the determination of when this maturity will be reached for each variety, region and warming scenario, and future period. The results indicate that both anthocyanin and TA levels will be affected negatively by a warming climate, but the magnitude of the impacts will differ between varieties and wine regions. Compared to 1990 levels, median anthocyanins concentrations are projected to decrease, depending on global climate model, by up to 3–12 % and 9–33 % for the northern wine regions by 2030 and 2070, respectively while 2–18 % reductions are projected in the southern wine regions for the same time periods. Patterns of reductions in the median Shiraz berry anthocyanin concentrations are similar to that of Cabernet Sauvignon; however, the magnitude is lower (up to 9–18 % in southern and northern wine regions respectively by 2070). Similarly, uneven declines in TA levels are projected across the study regions. The largest reductions in median TA are likely to occur in the present day warmer wine regions, up to 40 % for Chardonnay followed by 15 % and 12 % for Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, respectively, by 2070 under the high warming projection (csiro_mk3_5). It is concluded that, under existing management practices, some of the key grape attributes that are integral to premium wine production will be affected negatively by a warming climate, but the magnitudes of the impacts vary across the established wine regions, varieties, the magnitude of warming and future periods considered.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00484-013-0724-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

IS PCD A RELIABLE INDICATOR OF BERRY QUALITY ATTRIBUTES IN WATER STRESSED VINEYARDS?

Grape berry composition in terms of sugars and titratable acidity is strongly dependent on vine water status. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using airborne derived Plant Cell Density (PCD) and canopy reflectance derived Simple Ratio (SR) measurements – both remote indicators of leaf area and intercepted light – at estimating berry yield and composition in vineyards experiencing water deficits. In addition, the capability of the Water Index (WI) – a hyperspectral reflectance based indicator of water status – derived from canopy reflectance at estimating berry yield and composition was tested. The study was conducted in vineyards of Vitis vinifera L. ‘Chardonnay’. Remote optical imagery was acquired at veraison and PCD derived. Field measurements of fractional intercepted Photosynthetic Active Radiation (fIPAR), predawn water potential (Ψp), canopy to air temperature difference at midday (ΔT(midday)) and canopy hyperspectral reflectance were also conducted at the stage of veraison. Yield, Total Soluble Solids (TSS), Titratable Acidity (TA) and maturation index (IMAD) were determined at harvest. Predawn water potential ranged from -0.85±0.06 MPa to -0.50±0.07 MPa among the vineyards studied indicating moderate to severe water stress at the stage of veraison. Berry quality attributes did not show significant relationships against fIPAR but were related to ΔT(midday) in a variable extend. Consistently, PCD derived from airborne imagery, as well as the SR, did not show significant correlation against berry quality attributes. On the other hand, the WI derived from canopy reflectance showed significant correlation against ΔT(midday) (r = -0.82, P<0.05) and successfully estimated TA and IMAD (r = 0.70, P<0.05, for both indices). The results obtained suggest that, in vineyards experiencing water deficits, remote estimates of vine water status through the WI might be more appropriate to characterize berry composition than remote estimates of vine vigor such as SR or PCD.

Grape (Vitis vinifera) compositional data spanning ten successive vintages in the context of abiotic growing parameters

Information about changes in grape berry composition (e.g. total anthocyanins, total soluble solids and pH) in the context of the main growing parameters said to be changing with climate change (e.g. temperature, rainfall) is limited. This information is necessary in order to predict wine composition in possible future climate change scenarios as well as to help us to understand the adaptability of new varieties, new viticultural regions or winemaking practices. The aims of this study were to look at grape berry composition results of ten successive vintages in the context of temperature, rainfall and CO2 emissions. Results of this study confirmed observations and anecdotal evidence that warm viticultural regions tend to produce grapes with lower total anthocyanins (in average 0.9mgg−1) compared with cool regions. However, some growing regions and seasons may have sub-optimal temperatures for anthocyanin production and may improve with climate change related temperature rises. Although the results presented here are from observations, we believe that these data can be utilised and incorporated to climate change modelling systems, in order to better understand and define the effect of climate change on the environmental and economical sustainability of the wine production in Australia.

Effects of Traditional and New Methods on Overcoming Lime-Induced Chlorosis of Grapevine

<i>Vitis vinifera</i> L. cv. Merlot clone R3 grafted on the hybrid <i>Vitis riparia</i> x <i>Vitis rupestris</i> 3309C rootstock was grown in pots containing either calcareous or noncalcareous soil. Three treatments were applied to the plants growing on the calcareous soil: soil application of EDDHA (iron chelate), groundcover with <i>Festuca ovina</i> grass cv. Aurora Gold, and soil application of vivianite (iron phosphate). Shoot growth was recorded and at veraison the chlorosis occurrence and mineral element concentrations of young leaves were analyzed. Grape yield and berry composition were checked at harvest, including soluble solids, titratable acidity, tartaric acid, anthocyanins, polyphenols, and stilbenes. All treatments alleviated chlorosis symptoms over the untreated vines growing on calcareous soil. Grape yield and soluble solids were not affected by the treatments, while acidity, anthocyanins, and polyphenols evolved differently according to treatment. <i>trans</i>-Resveratrol concentration was reduced by all treatments. The floor management with <i>Festuca ovina</i> seems to be an effective, sustainable method to overcome lime-induced chlorosis, as compared with chelate and vivianite application.

Water deficit alters differentially metabolic pathways affecting important flavor and quality traits in grape berries of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.

BackgroundWater deficit has significant effects on grape berry composition resulting in improved wine quality by the enhancement of color, flavors, or aromas. While some pathways or enzymes affected by water deficit have been identified, little is known about the global effects of water deficit on grape berry metabolism.ResultsThe effects of long-term, seasonal water deficit on berries of Cabernet Sauvignon, a red-wine grape, and Chardonnay, a white-wine grape were analyzed by integrated transcript and metabolite profiling. Over the course of berry development, the steady-state transcript abundance of approximately 6,000 Unigenes differed significantly between the cultivars and the irrigation treatments. Water deficit most affected the phenylpropanoid, ABA, isoprenoid, carotenoid, amino acid and fatty acid metabolic pathways. Targeted metabolites were profiled to confirm putative changes in specific metabolic pathways. Water deficit activated the expression of numerous transcripts associated with glutamate and proline biosynthesis and some committed steps of the phenylpropanoid pathway that increased anthocyanin concentrations in Cabernet Sauvignon. In Chardonnay, water deficit activated parts of the phenylpropanoid, energy, carotenoid and isoprenoid metabolic pathways that contribute to increased concentrations of antheraxanthin, flavonols and aroma volatiles. Water deficit affected the ABA metabolic pathway in both cultivars. Berry ABA concentrations were highly correlated with 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase (NCED1) transcript abundance, whereas the mRNA expression of other NCED genes and ABA catabolic and glycosylation processes were largely unaffected. Water deficit nearly doubled ABA concentrations within berries of Cabernet Sauvignon, whereas it decreased ABA in Chardonnay at véraison and shortly thereafter.ConclusionThe metabolic responses of grapes to water deficit varied with the cultivar and fruit pigmentation. Chardonnay berries, which lack any significant anthocyanin content, exhibited increased photoprotection mechanisms under water deficit conditions. Water deficit increased ABA, proline, sugar and anthocyanin concentrations in Cabernet Sauvignon, but not Chardonnay berries, consistent with the hypothesis that ABA enhanced accumulation of these compounds. Water deficit increased the transcript abundance of lipoxygenase and hydroperoxide lyase in fatty metabolism, a pathway known to affect berry and wine aromas. These changes in metabolism have important impacts on berry flavor and quality characteristics. Several of these metabolites are known to contribute to increased human-health benefits.

Effect of Leaf Removal on Grape Yield, Berry Composition, and Stilbene Concentration

A four-year trial (1999–2002) was carried out in commercial vineyards in order to test the effect of manual leaf removal in the cluster zone at veraison on grape yield, berry composition, and stilbene concentration at harvest. Two <i>Vitis vinifera</i> L. red wine cultivars (Barbera and Croatina) and one white wine cultivar (Malvasia di Candia aromatica) were considered. The vines were Guyot trained, with 10 shoots per meter of row, and leaf removal accounted for approximately 22% of removed canopy surface. Meteorological data were recorded, as well as grape production, fruit composition, and stilbenes (<i>trans</i>-resveratrol, <i>trans</i>-piceid, <i>cis-</i>piceid) at harvest. Grape yield was not affected by leaf removal in any of the tested cultivars. Grape sugars and acidity were affected by leaf removal differently depending on meteorological conditions and cultivar. Leaf removal increased <i>trans</i>-piceid grape concentration in Barbera and decreased <i>trans-</i>resveratrol and <i>cis-</i>piceid in Croatina and Malvasia di Candia aromatica under cool meteorological conditions. Leaf removal had no effect on stilbene grape concentrations under warmer and drier climatic conditions.

A model-based diagnosis tool to evaluate the water stress experienced by grapevine in field sites

Soil water deficit is a major factor influencing yield and grape berry composition, with an optimal situation corresponding to a moderate water deficit. A computer-based diagnosis tool requiring a limited number of measurements was developed and used to characterise the typology of soil water deficit experienced by grapevine in field sites over the cropping season with the aim of producing acceptable yields and achieving good quality red wine. The tool combined a simple soil water balance model parameterised for vine, to simulate the fraction of transpirable soil water (FTSW) at a daily time step, and an indicator of vine water status in terms of source/sink relationships and canopy microclimate. This indicator was developed from quantitative relationships between FTSW and maximal net assimilation (Anmax), under optimal conditions of light and temperature, the leaf emergence rate on first-order lateral branches (LER I), the leaf emergence rate on second-order lateral branches (LER II) and the final length of first-order lateral branches (BL I). These relationships were parameterised in a greenhouse on Syrah (syn. Shiraz) grafted onto Fercal rootstock. The computer-based diagnosis tool was used on 24 fields within 4 vineyards of Mediterranean southern France covering contrasting pedoclimatic conditions, cultivar/rootstock pairs and receiving different water regimes. The key soil parameter of the water balance model, the total vine's transpirable soil water (TTSW), was estimated in each field from measurements of predawn leaf water potential (Ψl) at different vine growth stages in conjunction with an optimisation algorithm of the simulated FTSW as a function of predawn Ψl obtained with an independent data set. The tool enabled classification of the fields on the basis of the changes of the indicator of vine water status across four phases of the plant cycle, from budburst to harvest, relative to an optimum change of this indicator defined for production of a good quality wine. Such a tool will be useful to farm advisers and researchers for the evaluation of management practices as for comparative analysis between vineyards.

1H NMR metabolite fingerprints of grape berry: Comparison of vintage and soil effects in Bordeaux grapevine growing areas

Many variables such as total soluble sugars, total titratable acidity, nitrogen and phenolic compounds balance, contribute to describe grape quality. They vary strongly with genetic (cultivars) and environmental (climate, soil, and cultural practices together referred to as “terroir”, and vintage) factors. The aim of this work was to determine changes in metabolite fingerprints of grape berry skins of ‘Merlot noir’, ‘Carbernet franc’ or ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ cultivars harvested in 2002, 2003 and 2004 from five geographical locations in Bordeaux (south-west of France) to better understand the factors influencing the grape berry composition. 1H NMR spectroscopy was used to determine metabolic profiles of skin extracts of berries harvested at maturity. Before analysis by multivariate statistical methods, spectral data were reduced (sum of intensities over 0.04 ppm spectral domains) and normalized to generate 183 variables describing the entire spectra. Principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares (PLS) chemometric methods were applied to describe sample variability and show clustering of samples. These chemometric methods gave a good separation of samples according to vintages. PLS allowed us to pinpoint spectral domains corresponding to metabolites contributing to the differences between vintages, including sugars (glucose, fructose and sucrose), organic acids (tartaric, malic, citric and succinic acids), and amino acids (proline, arginine, GABA, valine, alanine, leucine and isoleucine). Conversely, soils classified according to their capacity to provide water to the vines, could not be discriminated by 1H NMR metabolic fingerprinting of the berries. The vintage effect on grape metabolic profiles prevailed over the soil effect. This emphasizes the fact that a typical vineyard is defined by its most frequent climatic traits such as the seasonal sum of temperatures and water balance.