Wine-growing Regions Research Articles

Comparative analysis of antioxidant activity and content of (poly)phenolic compounds in cabernet sauvignon and merlot wines of Slovenian and Serbian vineyards.

The individual (poly)phenols of red wines cultivated in two different Western Balkan wine-growing regions were determined using the HPLC method, while the ABTS and DPPH tests were employed to investigate antioxidant activity. The reduction potential of antioxidants was determined by FRAP assay. Five distinct classes of phenolic compounds, including phenolic acids, flavan-3-ols, flavonols, stilbenes, and anthocyanins, were identified. The analyzed wines showed very good antioxidant properties. All of the studied wines exhibited a very strong correlation between their antioxidant potential and the concentration of significant antioxidants. Phenolic components that were the most represented in the investigated samples were selected for the theoretical investigation of the antioxidant effect. For this purpose, epicatechin gallate and sinapic acid were used. Their concentrations in the tested samples ranged up to 132.76mg/mL and 125.66mg/mL. Theoretical aspects of reactions of the mentioned compounds towards DPPH and ABTS radicals were examined.

Semi-natural habitats are key to breeding bird diversity in intensified vineyard landscapes across Europe

In climatically suitable regions across Europe, vineyards can be the dominant perennial crop type. While many wine-growing landscapes are intensively managed, they may still be an attractive habitat for a wide range of bird species. In this study we investigated how breeding birds in three wine-growing regions in Europe (Germany: Palatinate, France: Bordeaux, Austria: Leithaberg) are influenced by the composition of the landscape, focussing on woody semi-natural vegetation.We recorded bird vocalizations with autonomous sound recorders in 93 landscapes across Europe. Bird species were identified according to their songs and calls. The landscape in a 200-m buffer around the recording points was mapped. In total, we recorded 72 bird species, including species typical for vineyard landscapes such as cirl bunting (Emberiza cirlus), hoopoe (Upupa epops) and turtle dove (Streptopelia turtur). For all three countries we found that an increase in overall woody vegetation in the landscape led to an increase in species richness and altered community composition. Most species were recorded in landscapes with abundant hedges, small woods and tree rows rather than in vineyard-dominated landscapes but e.g. woodlark (Lullula arborea) and linnet (Linaria cannabina) showed an opposite preference.We conclude that in intensively used wine-growing landscapes the ongoing decline in farmland birds and the ecosystem services they provide can be reversed by the reintroduction of semi-natural woody vegetation between vineyards. These in frequently many cases linear structural elements can be established included in the landscape with only small losses in production area.

Consumer-based brand equity of US domestic and global wine tourism destinations from the American market perspective

Purpose This study aims to measure and compare consumer-based brand equity (CBBE) of several US and global wine tourism destinations from an American market point of view. Design/methodology/approach An online randomized experimental design was used to assign respondents to different wine tourism destination contexts and measure their perceptions and intentions. A structured survey was designed with CBBE scale items related to the most commonly studied components of CBBE, namely, familiarity, perceived quality, image, consumer value, brand value and brand loyalty. Findings The study revealed that respondents were unfamiliar with multi-regional and global wine-growing destinations and their wines, implying that wine tourists belong to different market segments that seek different experiences. Among the US wine tourism destinations, Napa Valley is the destination with the strongest CBBE, with the highest overall ratings in all five CBBE components, on average. In terms of country-level wine tourism destinations, the US has the strongest CBBE, with the highest overall ratings in familiarity and brand loyalty. Research limitations/implications Wine tourism destination CBBE is shown to include components that may not relate exclusively to wine and variations in perceptions concerning global wine-growing regions may be associated with consumer familiarity. Future studies may include respondents from different countries to determine the generalizability of the current findings. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the current study is the first to assess consumer-based brand equity of wine tourism destinations in the US and globally from a US resident perspective.

The Influence of Climatic Conditions Associated with Altitude on the Volatile Composition of Cabernet Sauvignon Wines from Argentina, Spain and Portugal

In addition to winemaking techniques, wine’s quality and typicity are linked to the place where the grapes are grown. Climate, soil and the cultivar are major drivers of the terroir’s expression. Moreover, climate change is affecting the distribution of grapevine varieties in different wine-growing regions because changes in climatic conditions over the past years is affecting grape production. This study investigated the influence of some terroir parameters on the volatile composition of Cabernet Sauvignon wines. Eight wines from vineyards sited in Argentina, Spain and Portugal with altitudes between 2400 and 77 m above sea level (a.s.l.) with different soils and climatic conditions were selected. The results suggested that the vineyard’s place significantly modified the volatile composition of Cabernet Sauvignon wines because all chemical groups of volatiles quantified were affected. Volatile acids, C6 compounds, aldehydes, esters and terpenes showed the highest concentrations at 2400 m a.s.l., where the highest thermal amplitude was observed. In Portugal, where the vineyard studies were sited at lower altitudes (77 m a.s.l.) and under warm climatic conditions, high concentrations of alcohols and lactones were observed. Alcohols also showed high concentrations in wines from vineyards sited at 413 and 155 m a.s.l. (Spain). Principal component analysis showed the positive correlation of Cabernet Sauvignon wines located at higher altitudes with terpenes. On the contrary, wines from grapes grown at lower altitude conditions exhibited a correlation with alcohols and lactones.

Structure and Trends in Climate Parameters of Wine-Growing Regions in Slovenia

This study examined the structure and trends of climate parameters important for grape production from 1952 to 2022 in the wine-growing regions of Podravje, Posavje, and Primorska in Slovenia. Average and extreme temperature and precipitation data from six meteorological stations in three wine-growing regions were divided into annual and growing seasons. The results show that in the period 1991–2022, there was a warming in the growing season in all regions by 1.4–1.7 °C, except the southern part of Primorska (Koper station) 0.6 °C, compared to the reference period 1961–1990. The heat accumulation indices (GDDs and HI) increased significantly, which is mainly due to the increase in the maximum temperature in the growing season temperature (GST max) and the number of days with Tmax > 30 °C (NDT30). The NDT30 increased the most, by a factor of more than four. In the reference period (1961–1990), however, the trend in the number of hot days was even slightly negative. The mean seasonal temperature rose to around 17 °C in regions with a continental climate and to around 19 °C in the Mediterranean region, which could be reflected in the earlier ripening of the grapes. The trends show a decrease in total annual precipitation (AP) after 1991, but this was significant only at one inland location (Maribor), while the total precipitation during the growing season (GSP) decreased significantly at three locations (Maribor, Bilje, and Koper).

Assessing the Carbon Footprint of Viticultural Production in Central European Conditions

A number of factors will increasingly play a role in the sustainability of wine production in the coming period. The current situation suggests that the analysis of energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions will play a particularly important role. The so-called carbon footprint, expressed in CO₂ equivalents, is used to express the sum of GHG emissions. This study presents an analysis of vine cultivation in a particular Central European region, with the main focus on quantifying the inputs, yield, fuel consumption, and GHG emissions. The emphasis was placed on conventional, integrated, and ecological production systems of growing, evaluated with the help of the developed AGROTEKIS version 5 software. A total of 30 wine-grower entities in the Morava wine-growing region, the subregion Velké Pavlovice, in the Czech Republic weather climate, were included in the input data survey. By analyzing the aggregated values, the real savings in energy and curbing of CO2 emissions of vineyards could be observed, relating to individual work procedures with lower energy demand used in the vineyard treatment as well as the amounts and doses of agrochemicals used. The average values of the total impacts did not show any statistically significant differences between the conventional (971 ± 78 kg CO2eq·ha−1·year−1) and integrated production systems (930 ± 62 kg CO2eq·ha−1·year−1), whereas the values for the ecological production system were significantly higher (1479 ± 40 kg CO2eq·ha−1·year−1). The results show that growing vines under ecological production conditions generates a higher proportion of the carbon footprint than under conventional production conditions. Overall, the best results can be achieved in an integrated production system.

Wine and Gastronomic Tourism in the Drama Region

Drama is a wine region in northern Greece with a local economy based on agricultural production. Despite its historical and geographical setting, the wine tourism industry is not very well developed in the wine-growing region of Drama. Although the sustainability of territorial development is often linked to local food and wine heritage, it seems that the implicated parties are not totally convinced. For this qualitative case study, we first conducted interviews with the management of the local wineries to determine the reason behind the low number of wine tourists in the area. Then, a workshop was organized, and all relevant parties were invited to increase awareness through education while also attempting to find mutually agreeable solutions through working group table discussions and the presentation of findings. Taking advantage of and preserving the cultural heritage through the cooperation of the related regional businesses, regional/central authorities, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) was concluded to be an important tool for organizing new initiatives that will boost wine tourism.

The Impact of Climatic Warming on Earlier Wine-Grape Ripening in Northeastern Slovenia

In this study, the development trends of bioclimatic parameters recorded at the Maribor and Murska Sobota climate stations from 1952 to 2022 and the dynamics of grape ripening in early-, medium-, and late-ripening grape varieties in the Podravje wine-growing region in Slovenia (north-eastern Slovenia) from 1980 to 2022 were investigated. Based on the data on soluble solids content, total acidity, and the recommended harvest date per year (until the technological ripeness of the grapes; 76°Oe), trends for shortening the growing period of the vines were calculated. Temperature changes have been more pronounced since 1980. The number of so-called hot days (with a maximum of T > 30 °C) has increased the most, which has the greatest impact on other bioclimatic parameters, e.g., the average temperature and growing degree days (GDDs) and the Huglin index (HI). For the period of 1980 to 2022, the trends were 0.44 °C (Murska Sobota) and 0.51 °C (Maribor) per decade, respectively. The trends were more pronounced for the average temperature in the period of May–June (TMJ). After 1980, the HI increased by about 10 units per year. As a result of the climate warming, grapes in north-eastern Slovenia ripened 26 (‘Sauvignon Blanc’) to 35 (‘Welschriesling’) days earlier. The trends showed a decrease in total acidity, which can be attributed to the higher temperatures during the growing season period, especially during the ripening period of the grapes (véraison). After 2010, the average temperatures during the growing season (1 April to 31 October) in Podravje were 1.6 °C higher than in the 1980s. In line with the earlier ripening of the grapes, the actual average temperature from 1 April to the harvest date was a further 1.0 °C higher. The higher temperatures in the late-ripening varieties ‘Riesling’ and ‘Furmint’ had a positive effect on the lower total acidity. Total annual precipitation and precipitation in the growing season for the period 1980 to 2022 in the Maribor area show decreasing trends of 6 mm/m2 (p = 0.001) and 4 mm/m2 (p = 0.012), respectively. In the eastern sub-wine-growing region of Podravje (Murska Sobota), the trends in precipitation were not significant.

Effects of Wind Exposure and Deficit Irrigation on Vegetative Growth, Yield Components and Berry Composition of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon.

The impact of global warming on Argentine viticulture may result in a geographical shift, with wine-growing regions potentially moving towards the southwest, known as one of the windiest regions in the world. Deficit irrigation is a widely used strategy to control the shoot growth and improve fruit quality attributes, such as berry skin polyphenols. The present study aimed to assess the effects of different wind intensities and irrigation levels, as well as their interactions, on field-grown Vitis vinifera L. cvs. Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon. The experiment was conducted during two growing seasons with two wind treatments (sheltered and exposed) and two irrigation treatments (well-watered and moderate deficit irrigation) in a multifactorial design. Vegetative growth, stomatal conductance, shoot biomass partition, fruit yield components and berry skin phenolics were evaluated. Our study found that, generally, wind exposure reduced vegetative growth, and deficit irrigation increased the proportion of smaller berries within the bunches. Meanwhile, deficit irrigation and wind exposure additively increased the concentration of berry skin phenolics. Combined stressful conditions enhance biomass partition across the shoot to fruits in Malbec, increasing the weight of bunches and the number of berries. Our findings offer practical implications for vineyard managers in windy regions, providing actionable insights to optimize grapevine cultivation and enhance wine quality.

Heavy Metal-Based Fungicides Alter the Chemical Fractions of Cu, Zn, and Mn in Vineyards in Southern Brazil

This study aimed to evaluate Cu, Zn, and Mn fractions in vineyard soils in two important wine-growing regions in Latin America, which have soils with different soil organic matter (SOM) and clay contents. Soils were collected from vineyards aged 35, 37, and 39 years (Serra Gaúcha) and 13, 19, and 36 years (Campanha Gaúcha). In each region, soils were collected from a non-anthropized area, and in the oldest vineyards, the collection was conducted on and between the planting lines. The available and total Cu, Zn, and Mn contents were analyzed in addition to the chemical fractions. The ΔCu, ΔZn, and ΔMn were also calculated by subtracting the contents of each fraction of the vineyards from the reference areas. The use of fungicides promotes increased metal contents in vineyard soils. In soils with high SOM contents, Cu tended to increase in the organic fraction in surface and depth. In contrast, Zn increased in the residual fraction, and Mn increased in most bioavailable fractions. Cu and Zn increased their contents in soils with low SOM and clay contents in the organic and mineral fractions. Mn accumulated in the mineral and residual fractions.

Using wood rings to determine age and climate constraints of grapevine (Vitis vinifera) radial growth

Summary Grapevine (Vitis vinifera) is the most widely cultivated and economically relevant crop in the world, but its productivity is menaced by aridification in some wine-growing regions such as the Mediterranean Basin. The impacts of climate on vines depend on regional conditions, cultivar, and vine age, among other factors. Hence, a better understanding of vine radial-growth responses to climate in different regions is sorely needed. First, we related climate data and drought severity with a long-term series of vine leaf unfolding from NE Spain to test if climate warming is advancing the onset of the growing season. Second, we used growth rings to estimate age and quantify climate-growth relationships of vines using dendrochronology. Three sites from different designations of origin and vine varieties were studied: Logroño in northern Spain (La Rioja, Tempranillo), San Martín del Río in northeast Spain (Calatayud, Garnacha) and Anzi in southern Italy (Aglianico, Aleatico). Vine leaf unfolding occurred earlier as winter-spring conditions were warmer and drier. Vine ages ranged between 16 (Logroño, Anzi) and 56 years (S. Martín del Río), and growth rates declined in the two youngest grapevines. Ring widths varied between 1.19 (S. Martín del Río) and 1.80 mm (Logroño), with Anzi showing intermediate values (1.37 mm). February precipitation enhanced vine growth in San Martín del Río () and Anzi (), whereas the correlation with soil moisture peaked in March in San Martín del Río (). Vine growth rates positively responded to September minimum temperatures in San Martín del Río () and Logroño (). Garnacha cultivar in San Martín del Río showed the highest responsiveness to water availability. Therefore, similar old grapevines from continental, seasonally dry areas could be the most negatively affected by future warmer and drier climate conditions.

Grape cultivars adapted to hotter, drier growing regions exhibit greater photosynthesis in hot conditions despite less drought-resistant leaves.

Many agricultural areas are expected to face hotter, drier conditions from climate change. Understanding the mechanisms that crops use to mitigate these stresses can guide breeding for more tolerant plant material. We tested relationships between traits, physiological function in hot conditions and historical climate associations to evaluate these mechanisms for winegrapes. We expected a more negative leaf osmotic potential at full hydration (πo), which reduces leaf turgor loss during drought, and either a metabolically cheaper or more osmoprotectant leaf chemical composition, to allow cultivars associated with hot, dry regions to maintain greater gas exchange in hot growing conditions. We measured πo, gas exchange and leaf chemistry for seven commercially important winegrape cultivars that vary widely in historical climate associations. Vines were grown in common-garden field conditions in a hot wine-growing region (Davis, CA, USA) and measured over the hottest period of the growing season (July-September). The value of πo varied significantly between cultivars, and all cultivars significantly reduced πo (osmotically adjusted) over the study period, although osmotic adjustment did not vary across cultivars. The value of πo was correlated with gas exchange and climate associations, but in the direction opposite to expected. Photosynthesis and πo were higher in the cultivars associated with hotter, less humid regions. Leaf chemical composition varied between cultivars but was not related to climate associations. These findings suggest that maintenance of leaf turgor is not a primary limitation on grapevine adaptation to hot or atmospherically dry growing conditions. Thus, selecting for a more negative πo or greater osmotic adjustment is not a promising strategy to develop more climate-resilient grape varieties, contrary to findings for other crops. Future work is needed to identify the mechanisms increasing photosynthesis in the cultivars associated with hot, dry regions.

Development of the Wine-Growing Enterprises in the Mór Wine Region, Hungary

Abstract The Mór Wine Region (MWR) is one of the smallest ones in Hungary. Its area decreased continuously to only 724 hectares till 2022. Nevertheless, a spatial concentration of farms can be observed, like it has happened in other wine-growing regions of Hungary. Our principal aim is to investigate the sale channels with special consideration of the personal, market and online forms in the light of sustainability. The pandemic time is over, the online sales are in vain, the personal relationship between the winemaker and the customer is currently enjoying a revival period. Within the framework of mixed methods approach, we surveyed 28 winegrowers and wineries to fill in our semi-structured questionnaires, as main method in this article. After evaluating the questionnaires, we can say that some young wineries, thanks to good marketing activities, are able to take advantage of modern community-based media and are able to reach semi-wealthy social groups that usually consume wine. Unfortunately, the majority of wineries are not able to do so. Furthermore, there is a lack of cooperation between suppliers that can initiate smaller wineries to process and store grapes, and at least appear on the domestic market.

The legacy of past droughts induces water-sparingly behaviour in Grüner Veltliner grapevines.

Drought is becoming more frequent and severe in numerous wine-growing regions. Nevertheless, limited research has examined the legacy of recurrent droughts, focusing on leaf physiology and anatomy over consecutive seasons. We investigated drought legacies (after 2 years of drought exposure) in potted grapevines, focusing on stomatal behaviour under well-watered conditions during the third year. Vines were subjected for two consecutive years to short- (SD) or long-term (LD) seasonal droughts, or well-watered conditions (WW). In the third year, all plants were grown without water limitation. Water potential and gas exchange were monitored throughout the three seasons, while leaf morpho-anatomical traits were measured at the end of the third year. During droughts (1st and 2nd year), stem water potential of SD and LD plants fell below -1.1 MPa, with a consequent 75% reduction in stomatal conductance (gs ) compared to WW. In the 3rd year, when all vines were daily irrigated to soil capacity (midday stem water potential ~ -0.3 MPa), 45% lower values of gs were observed in the ex-LD group compared to both ex-SD and ex-WW. Reduced midrib vessel diameter, lower leaf theoretical hydraulic conductivity, and smaller stomata were measured in ex-LD leaves compared to ex-SD and ex-WW, likely contributing to the reduced gas exchange. Our findings suggest that grapevines exposed to drought may adopt a more water-conserving strategy in subsequent seasons, irrespective of current soil water availability, with the degree of change influenced by the intensity and duration of past drought events.

A comparative physiological study of three red varieties in the Demarcated Douro Region

In certain regions, especially those with a Mediterranean climate, that are highly susceptible to climate change, viticulture is expected to become less suitable for the production of high-quality wines. From an evolutionary perspective, grapevine varieties have evolved genetic adaptations in the form of protective mechanisms to withstand summer stress, reflecting the climatic conditions in which grapevines were initially domesticated. The in-depth knowledge of the structural and functional characteristics of grapevines can aid in the identification and selection of varieties that are better suited to adverse environmental conditions and to the increasingly challenging conditions imposed by climate change. Following, this study aims to evaluate the extent to which the water status adjustment and the leaf biophysical and biochemical processes influence the respective photosynthetic performance of a currently neglected grapevine variety, Tinto Cão (TC) and two commonly used varieties in the Douro region, Touriga-Nacional (TN) and Tinta-Roriz (TR). The experiment was undertaken in the Baixo-Corgo sub-region of the Demarcated Douro Region in the north of Portugal. Grapevine water status, chlorophyll contents, leaf reflectance indices, chlorophyll a fluorescence (modulated and transient) and leaf gas exchange (including A/PPFD and A/Ci curves) were evaluated in three different phenological stages. The results indicate that, compared to TN and TR varieties, the TC minimizes the light-harvesting system while promoting thermal energy dissipation, which can be interpreted as photoprotective mechanisms at the photosynthetic apparatus level. These mechanisms imply the downregulation of the photochemical reactions but without significant losses of net productivity compared to TN, while TR remained increased. Despite the minor expression of Tinto-Cão nowadays, this variety can also have great adaptability for very hot and sunny wine-growing regions.

Optimizing deficit irrigation in Monastrell vines grafted on rootstocks of different vigour under semi-arid conditions

A progressive irrigation reduction was applied during five years (from 2017 to 2021) by using regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) and partial root-zone drying irrigation (PRD) in field-grown mature Monastrell grapevines grafted on five different rootstocks (140Ru, 1103P 41B, 110R, and 161–49C) in the semi-arid wine-growing region of D.O. Bullas, South-Eastern (SE) Spain. The main goal was to adjust the irrigation volume applied during the growing season for each rootstock depending on the drought tolerance/vigour/productivity of the rootstock. Thus, the annual irrigation volume was progressively reduced (from 104 mm year−1 [2017] to 45 mm year−1 [2018‐2019] and 15 mm year−1 [2020‐2021] in the most drought-tolerant, vigorous, and productive rootstocks [1103P, 140Ru], and from 104 mm year−1 [2017] to 74 mm year−1 [2018‐2019] and 58 mm year−1 [2020‐2021] in the less drought-tolerant, vigorous, and productive rootstocks [110R, 161–49C, 41B]. A severe reduction of the irrigation in 140Ru and 1103P substantially reduced vigour, productivity, and berry weight and increased water productivity (WP) (220% and 97%, respectively) and phenolic berry quality (50% and 92%, respectively). Medium/low-vigour rootstocks also had a decrease in vigour, yield, and berry weight in response to an irrigation reduction, enhancing WP (between 17% [41B] and 41% [161‐49C] and phenolic berry quality (between 11% [161–49C] and 46% [110R] With a low water volume DI (53–77 mm year−1), vines grafted on 161–49C delivered the highest berry quality compared to other rootstocks. Physiological changes produced by very low water volume PRD were reflected in a reduced root water and nutrient uptake and leaf gas exchange and a slightly increased technological berry quality compared to RDI. However, PRD did not produce a significant improvement in WP, phenolic concentration, and global berry quality compared to RDI.

Comparative Assessment of The Climatological Conditions on The Biological Activity of Ampelocenoses Soils Cultivated in The Wine-Growing Regions of The Southern Coast of Crimea and The Eastern Part of The National Park “Fruska Gora”

Over the last years, research interest in the use of soil biological activity indicator for predicting the state and sustainability of natural and agroecosystems has increased significantly due to climatic changes altering the location and boundaries of established agroclimatic belts. These changes are characterized by unprecedented speed, as well as spatial and temporal heterogeneity. In this regard, the identification of regularities of influence of regional agroclimatic factors on soil microbiota as an indicator of soil health under different types of land use is of great relevance. In this paper, we tried to determine the climatic factors limiting the activity of soil microbiome functioning on the basis of calculation of climatic indices in two regions of grape cultivation close in temperature regime, but contrasting in humidity, located in the Republic of Crimea and the Republic of Serbia.

Effects of Climate Change and Phenological Monitoring of the Indigenous Godello Variety in a Territory of Heroic Viticulture and Biosphere Reserve

In the year 2023, the phenological behaviour of the indigenous Godello variety of vineyard was evaluated at Souto Chao, located in the north-west of the Iberian Peninsula, which is a wine-growing region and considered as the place of Designation of Origin (Ribeira Sacra DO). In 2017 and 2018, a similar study was carried out on the same plants of Godello variety, but this latest study aimed to ascertain the nature and extent of changes in the crop’s phenology within the timeframe between the initial two years analysed (2017 and 2018) and the present year, 2023. The scale used for study was the one proposed by the BBCH of Lorenz. The average length of the vegetative cycle in the initial two years was 167 days (161 and 174 days in 2017 and 2018, respectively), while in 2023 it was 164 days. The results obtained show a longer vegetative cycle in 2018, with significant differences between the beginning and end of the different phenological phases. Of the three years analysed, 2018 stands out showing a significant deviation from the average. Moreover, there is a close relationship between the phenological behaviour of the Godello variety and certain climatic parameters. Temperature is the most decisive factor, specifically the average annual minimum temperature, which was lower in 2018. In addition, the highest thermal requirements were observed in that same year, with figures slightly above 5200 GDD. As for the historical harvest dates, there are only two recorded years in which the grape harvest took place in August, namely in 2017 and 2023. In this geographical region, the grape harvest, with the exception of the two years mentioned above, usually takes place in September, as was the case in 2018. The vulnerability of viticulture to climate change depends on the magnitude of the impacts. Global warming is the great challenge for the wine business and will force changes in vineyard management to curb its most damaging effects. Its most obvious effects, such as the rise in average global temperature or the decrease and redistribution of rainfall, increasingly in the form of occasional and intense storms, have gone from perception to certainty.

INFLUENCE OF THE ROOTSTOCK P1103 AND SO4 ON THE BIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CABERNET SAUVIGNON VARIETY

Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most widespread grape varieties, both in the world and in Serbia and is used for the production of high quality red wines. The rootstocks P 1103 and SO4 are widely used in Serbian viticulture. The choice of rootstock can significantly influence the biological characteristics of cultivated variety, especially through qualitative parameters of bunch and the berry. The research was conducted in the wine-growing region of Šumadija. The vineyard was planted in 2009 with a row spacing of 2.3 m and between rows 0.8 m. The aim of the work was to determine the influence of rootstock P1103 and SO4 on the biological characteristics of the Cabernet Sauvignon variety. The work contains data related to phenological observations, vegetative and reproductive potential, yield, uvological composition of grapes and berries, and qualitative characteristics of grape juice. Phenological observations revealed no differences in the length of phenophases. A higher average shoot growth was observed on rootstock P 1103 (150.9 cm). A higher number of developed inflorescences (13.7) was observed on rootstock SO4, while the average yield was higher on rootstock P 1103 (1.723 kg). The uvological observations of bunches and berries showed higher values on the rootstock P 1103 for the following parameters: average weight of the bunch (175.4 g), number of berries in the bunch (151.6), weight of the bunch stem (5.5 g), weight of skin of 100 berries (11.9 g) and seed mass of 100 berries (7.2 g). The sugar content of grape juice was higher in rootstock P 1103 (27.16%), while the content of total acids was generally higher in rootstock SO4 (8.3 g/l).

Fungal Community Composition and Its Relationship with Volatile Compounds during Spontaneous Fermentation of Cabernet Sauvignon from Two Chinese Wine-Growing Regions.

The microbial community structure associated with wine in a wine-growing region is shaped by diverse ecological factors within that region, profoundly impacting the wine flavor. In wine fermentation, fungi contribute more sensory-active biochemical compounds than bacteria. In this study, we employed amplicon sequencing to measure samples from the spontaneous fermentation process of cabernet sauvignon wines from two wine-growing regions in China to study the diversity and structural evolution of fungi during spontaneous fermentation and analyze the correlation between fungi and volatile compounds. The results showed significant differences in fungal community structure and diversity in cabernet sauvignon musts from different geographical origins, and these differences affected the flavor quality of the wines. As alcoholic fermentation progressed, Saccharomyces became the dominant fungal genus and reshaped the fungal community structure, and the diversity of the fungal community decreased. However, the fungal communities of each wine-growing region remained distinct throughout the fermentation process. Furthermore, the correlation between the fungal community and volatile compounds indicated that wine is a product of fermentation involving multiple fungal genera, and the flavor is influenced by a variety of fungi. Our study enhances the comprehension of fungal communities in Chinese wine-growing regions, explaining the regulatory role of wine-related fungal microorganisms in wine flavor.