In the Valpolicella area (Verona, Italy) one of the most important Italian wines is being produced: Amarone, predominately made by Vitis vinifera cv. Corvina. This wine is subjected to a specific postharvest process, namely, withering, which aims to increase alcohol content and/or high residual sugars while retaining richness in aromas and organoleptic compounds. In accordance with guidelines and strict Amarone protocol set by the Consorzio of Amarone-Valpolicella, withering must be carried out by setting the grapes in a suitable environment. In our study, the withering process was performed following the traditional methods, i.e., in open-air, natural environmental conditions, as generally performed by winegrowers, leading to a weight loss in grapes of up to 30%. Whilst the effect of different postharvest conditions is clear and studied, it is interesting to know how soil can affect both grapes and wine profile, in terms of aromas, which are of great importance for this crafted wine. For this purpose, for two study years, the influence of two different sites (with regards to the carbonates’ content) on aromas were investigated. Furthermore, microvinifications and the sensory profile of the resulting wines were analysed. Our results clearly indicated that different soils’ characteristics, particularly differences in carbonate content, had an important effect, not only on the aromatic compounds of grapes and wines, but on the sensory profile as well. This information will help winegrowers and winemakers in the process of determining site selection for future vineyards in order to obtain a final optimum Amarone wine, in terms of its aromatic composition—one that is able to respond to the market demand.
Several researchers stated that climate change effects are arising quickly in the Mediterranean region. Temperature increasing and droughty summers are two of the most common patterns threatening sparkling wines’ grape quality. The present study investigated nitrogen nutrition to enhance acidity and preserve the aromatic compound on Vitis vinifera var. Glera for producing white sparkling wine. Half of the one-hectare vineyard placed in northeast Italy was fertigated with nitrogen during summer, while the control half received only mineral fertilization in spring as usual in the area. The trial lasted three years. The grapes’ quality was monitored and compared at harvest. The statistical analysis proved an affordable trend among treatments in which the fertigated grapes showed, on average, more free amino acids (+32%), more yeast assimilable nitrogen (+71%), more acidity (+21%), and lower total soluble solids concentration (−3%) than the control grapes. Energy storage, fruit yield, and wood mass were measured too. The study proved the nitrogen supply did not affect either fruit yield or plant vigor. Therefore, nitrogen fertigation has been confirmed to be a reasonable growing practice to preserve wine’s aroma and acidity against climate change.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.