Effect of Leaf-To-Fruit Ratios on Phenolic and Sensory Profiles of Malbec Wines from Single High-Wire-Trellised Vineyards

AHUMADA, GASTON EMANUEL; CATANIA, ANIBAL; FANZONE, MARTIN; BELMONTE, MARCELO; GIORDANO, CARLA VALERIA; GONZALEZ, CARINA VERONICA

JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

JOHN WILEY & SONS LTD

Lugar: LOndres; Año: 2020

0022-5142

Background: The single-high wire (SHW) system is a free canopy trellis system suitable for warm tohot climates. In a global warming scenario, it arouses as a technological solution since it prevents berry overheating and sunburn. Canopy management practices manipulate leaf-to-fruit ratios, affecting berry and wine composition. We aimed to evaluate the phenolic and sensory profiles of Malbec wines from SHW-trellised vineyards in a hot region in Mendoza (Argentina); and to assess the effect of varying leaf-to-fruit ratios on these attributes. We manipulated leaf-to-fruit ratios by varying shoot trimming (experiment 1: 0.45, 0.80 m and without trimming) and winter pruning severity (experiment 2: 16, 24, 32 and > 32 countable buds m-1). We characterized wine attributes by a descriptive analysis, color by the CIELAB space, global phenolics compounds and anthocyanins by HPLC-DAD.Results: We found that 0.80 m and without trimming wines had similar and higher intensity of color,higher violet hue, astringency, alcohol and a richer aroma profile than 0.45 m wines. Meanwhile, wines of 16 and >32 buds m-1 (that simulates a box pruning) were similar between them and had higher color intensity, violet hue, acidity, alcohol, astringency and a more complex aroma profile than the rest of the pruning treatments.