Canopy management effects on Syrah grapevines under tropical semi-arid conditions.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of shoot topping and leaf removal practices on vegetative vigor, yield and physicochemical characteristics of the 'Syrah' grape in the semi-arid tropical climate conditions of the São Francisco River Valley in the northeast of Brazil. The experiment was conducted over five growing cycles from 2010 to 2012 in a 'Syrah' commercial vineyard in the municipality of Casa Nova, Bahia, Brazil. Treatments consisted of leaf removal once or twice during fruit set or at the beginning of bunch closure, and one or two shoot toppings of the berry when pea-sized or 10 days after berry growth had commenced. Leaf removal and shoot topping did not affect yield, plant vigor components nor the main attributes of fruit quality. In contrast, there was a seasonal effect with higher yield and better balance between production and vigor in grapes produced in the first half of 2012. The Syrah grape quality was favored in cycles in the first half of the year when its ripening phase coincided with the period of mild temperatures.

Production of Syrah wines in tropical conditions of Northeast Brazil.

Twenty years ago, in the Northeast Brazil, a tropical semi-arid area, the production of tropical wines from some Vitis vinifera L. cultivars started. In this region, it is possible to harvest two times a year, between April and December, and nowadays Syrah is the most cultivated wine grape. Research works about irrigation rnanagement in Syrah started in 2000 at Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa). The aim of this paper is to introduce some characteristics about the region where Syrah grapevines is being cultivated under irrigation in Northeast Brazil, and to present some results obtained from field experiments as well as some grape and wine charcteristics already determined.

Organic and nitrogen fertilization of soil under Syrah grapevine: effects on soil chemical properties and nitrate concentration.

Viticulture is an activity of great social and economic importance in the lower-middle region of the São Francisco River valley in northeastern Brazil. In this region, the fertility of soils under vineyards is generally poor. To assess the effects of organic and nitrogen fertilization on chemical properties and nitrate concentrations in an Argissolo Vermelho-Amarelo (Typic Plinthustalf), a field experiment was carried out in Petrolina, Pernambuco, on Syrah grapevines. Treatments consisted of two rates of organic fertilizer (0 and 30 m3 ha-1) and five N rates (0, 10, 20, 40, and 80 kg ha-1), in a randomized block design arranged in split plots, with five replications. The organic fertilizer levels represented the main plots and the N levels, the subplots. The source of N was urea and the source of organic fertilizer was goat manure. Irrigation was applied through a drip system and N by fertigation. At the end of the third growing season, soil chemical properties were determined and nitrate concentration in the soil solution (extracted by porous cups) was determined. Organic fertilization increased organic matter, pH, EC, P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, sum of bases, base saturation, and CEC, but decreased exchangeable Cu concentration in the soil by complexation of Cu in the organic matter. Organic fertilization raised the nitrate concentration in the 0.20-0.40 m soil layer, making it leachable. Nitrate concentration in the soil increased as N rates increased, up to more than 300 mg kg-1 in soil and nearly 800 mg L-1 in the soil solution, becoming prone to leaching losses.

Les macroclimats viticoles mondiaux et l'influence du mesoclimat sur la typicite de la Syrah et du Muscat de Hamboug dans le sud de la France: methodologie de caracterisation.

1999

Aromatic stability of Syrah and Petit Verdot tropical wines from Brazil.

The production of fine wines in the Sub-middle of the São Francisco River Valley, Northeast of Brazil, is relatively recent, about twenty-five years ago. This region presents different characteristics, with a tropical semiarid climate, in a flat landscape. Presenting high annual average temperature, solar radiation and water in abundance for irrigation, it?s possible the scaling the grape harvests for winemaking throughout the year, allowing to obtain until two harvests per year. Several factors may affect the aromatic compounds in wines, such as viticulture practices, climatic conditions, cultivars and winemaking process. This study aimed to evaluate the aromatic stability of Syrah and Petit Verdot tropical wines elaborated in two different periods in the year. The grapes were harvested in the first and second semesters of 2009, in June and November. The wines were elaborated and then, they were bottled and analyzed in triplicate, thirty days and one year after bottling, by gas chromatography with ionization detector flame (GC-FID), to evaluate the profile and the stability of the aroma compounds. Principal component analysis was applied to discriminate between wine samples and to find the compounds responsible by the variability. The results showed that Syrah and Petit Verdot tropical wines presented different responses, for stability of higher alcohols, esters and carboxylic acids.

Influence of the vintage, clone and rootstock on the chemical characteristics of Syrah tropical wines from Brazil.

In the Northeast of Brazil, vines can produce twice a year, because annual average temperature is 26ºC, with high solar radiation and water availability for irrigation. Many cultivars have been tested according to their adaptation to the climate and soil, and the main variety used for red wines is Syrah. This work aimed to evaluate five clones of Syrah, grafted on two rootstocks, in two harvests of the second semester of 2009 and 2010, according to the chemical analyses of the wines.The clones evaluated were 100, 174, 300, 470 and 525, the rootstocks were Paulsen 1103 and IAC 313 (Golia x Vitis caribeae). Grapes were harvested in November 2009 and 2010 and the yield was evaluated. Climate characteristics of each harvest was determined and correlated to the results. Wines were elaborated in glass tanks of 20 L, with alcoholic fermentation at 25ºC for seven days, then wines were pressed and malolactic fermentation was carried out at 18ºC for 20 days. The following parameters were analyzed: alcohol content, dry extract, total anthocyanins, total phenolic index. High performance liquid chromatography was used to determine tartaric, malic, lactic and citric organic acids. Results showed that wines presented different concentrations of classical analyses, phenolics and organic acids according to the harvest date, rootstocks and clones. Principal component analysis was applied on data and clusters with wine samples were formed, explaining the variability, and results are discussed.

Phenolic composition of South American red wines classified according to their antioxidant activity, retail price and sensory quality

In this study, 73 South American red wines (Vitis vinifera) from 5 varietals were classified based on sensory quality, retail price and antioxidant activity and characterised in relation to their phenolic composition. ORAC and DPPH assays were assessed to determine the antioxidant activity, and sensory analysis was conducted by seven professional tasters using the Wine Spirits Education Trust`s structured scales. The use of multivariate statistical techniques allowed the identification of wines with the best combination of sensory characteristics, price and antioxidant activity. The most favourable varieties were Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah produced in Chile and Argentina. Conversely, Pinot Noir wines displayed the lowest sensory characteristics and antioxidant activity. These results suggest that the volatile compounds may be the main substances responsible for differentiating red wines on the basis of sensory evaluation. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

WINE GRAPE QUALITY OF GRAPEVINES GROWN IN THE CERRADO ECOREGION OF BRAZIL

Aims: Geographical indication plays an important role in the improvement of wine quality. In this context, the search for new grape growing areas has been constant. The Sao Francisco River Valley in the cerrado of Minas Gerais State (Brazil) has been pointed out in the Geoviticulture Multicriteria Climatic Classification System (MCC System) as a potentially winegrowing region, especially considering the autumn-winter period when night temperatures are favorable to grape ripening. In this work, we studied the maturation curves and fruit composition of four wine grape varieties (Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet-Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc) in two growing seasons in order to validate the state of Minas Gerais as a new winegrowing region in Brazil. Methods and results: Quality parameters (berry weight, pH, titratable acidity and total soluble solids) were measured weekly from veraison to harvest, and sugar, organic acid, anthocyanin and phenolic concentrations were determined in must and berry skins and seeds at harvest. Syrah berries showed the highest weight throughout maturation which contributed to higher yield (8.92 ton ha(-1)), followed closely by Merlot (8.07 ton ha(-1)). Bern, sugar concentrations were higher and malic acid levels were lower than the values usually observed in wine grapes harvested during summer in traditional winegrowing regions in Brazil. Cabernet Franc showed lower levels of anthocyanins and skin phenolics per kg berries and the highest values of seed phenolics, which were not affected by growing season. Conclusion: Weather conditions of the cerrado of Minas Gerais State in Brazil during winter allowed complete maturation of Cabernet-Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Syrah cultivars as revealed by the satisfactory sugar, anthocyanin and skin phenolic accumulation. Significance and impact of the study: This study revealed the potential of the cerrado ecoregion in the northeast of Minas Gerais to become a new winemaking region in Brazil.

Propriedades antioxidantes e compostos bioactivos em vinhos portugueses monocasta

Tem sido atribuída ao vinho a designação de alimento antioxidante, devido ao seu alto teor em compostos polifenólicos, pelo que o seu consumo moderado pode apresentar efeitos benéficos para a saúde do consumidor. Neste trabalho foram estudados 228 vinhos portugueses monocastas (190 tintos, 30 brancos e 8 rosés), produzidos em 8 regiões do país, (Alentejo, Algarve, Península de Setúbal, Lisboa, Tejo, Verdes, Dão e Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro) a partir de 12 castas tintas (Alfrocheiro, Alicante Bouschet, Aragonez-Tinta Roriz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Castelão, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Syrah, Tinta Miúda, Touriga Nacional, Trincadeira e Vinhão) e 6 castas brancas (Antão Vaz, Arinto, Chardonnay, Fernão Pires, Malvasia Fina e Verdelho). Estes vinhos foram avaliados quanto à sua composição fenólica por HPLC-DAD, propriedades antioxidantes (reacção de Folin-Ciocalteu, poder de redução férrica, FRAP e capacidade de sequestração do radical DPPH) e foram caracterizados por UV-VIS. Observaram-se correlações fortes entre as actividades antioxidantes dos vinhos e as suas características cromáticas, nomeadamente as suas absorvâncias a 420, 520 e 620 nm, mas também com as absorvâncias a 280 nm, 320 nm ou 360 nm que correspondem a compostos fenólicos não corados. As castas Alicante Bouschet e Petit Verdot destacaram-se quanto às suas propriedades antioxidantes, enquanto as regiões da Península de Setúbal e do Dão revelaram ter características que favorecem a actividade antioxidante dos vinhos nelas produzidos, por comparação com vinhos das mesmas castas produzidos noutras regiões. A análise de HPLC permitiu detectar 52 compostos fenólicos (17 ácidos hidroxibenzóicos ou derivados, 8 flavanóis ou procianidinas, 12 ácidos hidroxicinâmicos e 7 flavonóis) presentes na maior parte dos vinhos tintos analisados. Os resultados obtidos neste trabalho evidenciam a complexidade de factores que determinam as propriedades biológicas e composição fenólica dos vinhos tintos, rosés ou brancos, e que incluem casta, parâmetros edafo-climáticos e características do processo de vinificação.

Produção e certificação de mudas de videira na França 1: situação Atual da Produção

A França é o principal país produtor de mudas de videira, enxertando anualmente 270 milhões de mudas. Neste país, o programa de certificação de mudas alcança mais de 90% do material produzido, e, para tanto, a área utilizada de matrizes de porta-enxertos e produtoras atinge 3.454 ha. As principais cultivares multiplicadas, em ordem decrescente, são Merlot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Chardonnay, e os principais porta-enxertos o SO4, 110 Richter, 3309 Couderc, 41 B e 140 Ruggieri. Os percentuais atuais de pegamento da enxertia situam-se em torno de 58% (ano de 1999), oscilando de 45,2% para a variedade Pinot Noir até 58% para o Cabernet Sauvignon. Do total das mudas enxertadas, 90% são produzidas diretamente em canteiros para comercialização sob a forma de raiz nua, e os 10% restantes em vasos biodegradáveis. A quantidade de mudas enxertadas atingiu 270,4 milhões no ano de 2000, ultrapassando todos os valores produzidos na década de 90, e é considerada como limite para absorção do mercado. As exportações de mudas pela França atingiram o montante de 19,2 milhões de mudas, sendo Itália, Espanha, Portugal, Alemanha e Argentina os principais importadores.

Foliar carbohydrates content and invertase activity in vines at São Francisco River Valley - Brazil

The irrigated agriculture at the São Francisco River Valley, Northeast Brazil, shows an increasing production of grapes for winery. Among the wines produced there the one obtained from Vitis vinifera L., cultivar Syrah, stands out due to its adaptation to the climatic conditions of the region. However, little is known about carbohydrates metabolism of vines cultivated in this region. The objective of this work was to evaluate sugar and starch contents and the invertase activity in vines leaves during two consecutive growing seasons. The experiment was carried out at Embrapa Semi-Árido and at Santa Maria Winery, respectively located in Petrolina and Lagoa Grande, Pernambuco-Brazil. Leaves were collected weekly from January to December of 2003 and assessed for reducing sugars, total soluble sugars and starch contents, as well as for acid (AI) and neutral invertases (NI). The results showed that reducing sugars, total soluble sugars and starch contents increased during fruit maturation and are influenced by temperature, radiation and insolation variations. The second growing season showed higher reducing sugars and total soluble sugars content and lower starch content in the leaves than the first one. AI activity was higher than NI activity and these also varied according to weather conditions. During berries ripening, leaves showed higher sugar content and invertase activity, suggesting a higher sugar metabolism and transport during this phase.

Analysis of vineyard differential management zones and relation to vine development, grape maturity and quality

The objective of research was to analyse the potential of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) maps from satellite images, yield maps and grapevine fertility and load variables to delineate zones with different wine grape properties for selective harvesting. Two vineyard blocks located in NE Spain (Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah) were analysed. The NDVI was computed from a Quickbird-2 multi-spectral image at veraison (July 2005). Yield data was acquired by means of a yield monitor during September 2005. Other variables, such as the number of buds, number of shoots, number of wine grape clusters and weight of 100 berries were sampled in a 10 rows × 5 vines pattern and used as input variables, in combination with the NDVI, to define the clusters as alternative to yield maps. Two days prior to the harvesting, grape samples were taken. The analysed variables were probable alcoholic degree, pH of the juice, total acidity, total phenolics, colour, anthocyanins and tannins. The input variables, alone or in combination, were clustered (2 and 3 Clusters) by using the ISODATA algorithm, and an analysis of variance and a multiple rang test were performed. The results show that the zones derived from the NDVI maps are more effective to differentiate grape maturity and quality variables than the zones derived from the yield maps. The inclusion of other grapevine fertility and load variables did not improve the results.

Composição físico-química de uvas para vinho fino em ciclos de verão e inverno

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o potencial de maturação das cultivares Pinot Noir, Tempranillo, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Chardonnay e Sauvignon Blanc submetidas ao regime de dupla poda, em Cordislândia, região cafeeira do sul de Minas Gerais. As plantas foram submetidas a dois ciclos de produção, um de primavera-verão, compreendido entre agosto e janeiro, e outro ciclo de outono-inverno, entre janeiro e julho. Como parâmetros de qualidade, foram avaliados os diâmetros transversal e longitudinal da baga, acidez, ácidos tartárico e málico, pH, sólidos solúveis, antocianinas, fenólicos totais e os teores de glicose, frutose e sacarose. Todas as variedades apresentaram maiores teores de pH, sólidos solúveis, açúcares, antocianinas e fenólicos totais, e redução nos diâmetros transversal e longitudinal na safra de inverno. A cultivar Syrah destacou-se das demais no conteúdo de antocianinas e fenólicos totais tanto no verão quanto no inverno, entretanto apresentou o menor conteúdo de açúcares. A alteração do ciclo de produção da videira através da técnica da dupla poda para colheita, no período de inverno, na região cafeeira de Minas Gerais, favorece a maturação dos frutos e melhora consideravelmente a qualidade das uvas para vinificação.

Comparação da disponibilidade de radiação solar global e fotoperíodo entre as regiões vinícolas de Campo Belo do Sul-SC, Brasil e Pech Rouge, França

Realizaram-se a caracterização e a comparação da disponibilidade de radiação solar global e do fotoperíodo para o Planalto de Santa Catarina, representado por Campo Belo do Sul (latitude -28º00'00'', longitude -51º00'00'' e altitude de 950 metros), e para a região Mediterrânea do Sul da França, representada por Pech Rouge (latitude 43º08'35'', longitude 03º07'59'' altitude de 1,5 metro). Este estudo foi realizado para a fase de maturação das variedades de videira Chardonnay, Portan, Syrah, Viognier, Carignan, Grenache, Marselan, Mourvèdre e Cabernet Sauvignon. Foram também avaliadas as durações do fotoperíodo anual, do período noturno, da radiação solar global, da radiação solar e da insolação máxima no período de maturação, para ambas as localidades. As diferenças de comportamento fenológico e das posições geográficas dos dois locais promoveram diferenças quanto à disponibilidade e intensidade da radiação solar global, assim como do fotoperíodo. Apesar da uma maior transmissividade da atmosfera para Pech Rouge, o Planalto Catarinense apresentou maior disponibilidade e intensidade de radiação solar durante a fase de maturação da videira. Também, o acúmulo de horas de fotoperíodo foi superior no Planalto Catarinense do que em Pech Rouge. Estas diferenças de disponibilidade de radiação solar e fotoperíodo foram provenientes da menor duração da fase de maturação para Pech Rouge, da declinação solar em relação aos dois locais por ocasião da ocorrência desta fase e da diferença da camada atmosférica resultante da diferença de altitude.

Chloride concentration in red wines: influence of terroir and grape type

Red wines from different countries have been assessed in order to determine the influence of terroir and grape variety in their concentration of chloride. Chloride analysis was carried out by Laboratório de Bebidas de Origem Vegetal do Espírito Santo (Labeves), using the potentiometric method, in which the dosing is directly applied to the sample with an Ag/AgCl electrode. Data were collected to establish the level of chloride, as presented in the analysis reports issued by Labeves, and to serve as a wine categorization database, according to grape variety and country of origin. Australia and Argentina presented the highest levels of chloride and the wines made from the Syrah variety presented the highest concentration of such ion. We have, therefore, found that terroir and grape variety do have an influence over the concentration of chloride in red wines.