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

GASTÓN E. AHUMADA; ANIBAL CATANIA; MARTÍN L. FANZONE; MARCELO BELMONTE; CARLA V. GIORDANO; CARINA V. GONZÁLEZ

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 berryoverheating and sunburn. Canopy management practices manipulate leaf-to-fruit ratios, affecting berryand wine composition. We aimed to evaluate the phenolic and sensory profiles of Malbec wines fromSHW-trellised vineyards in a hot region in Mendoza (Argentina); and to assess the effect of varyingleaf-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 theCIELAB 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, winesof 16 and >32 buds m-1 (that simulates a box pruning) were similar between them and had higher colorintensity, violet hue, acidity, alcohol, astringency and a more complex aroma profile than the rest of thepruning treatments.Conclusions: The best quality wines were achieved by leaving 16 buds m-1 or >32 buds m-1; and bytrimming shoots to 0.80 m or leaving them untrimmed. The modulation of cultural practices insprawling canopies offers the potential to produce wines with different styles in hot regions.