Background: Sforzato di Valtellina (Sfursat) is a PDO reinforced red wine produced in Valtellina (northern Italy) from partially withered red grapes (Vitis vinifera L.) cv. Nebbiolo. The present study aimed to evaluate the combined influence of different grape ripeness levels and withering length on the chemical composition, mechanical properties, and phenolic profile of Nebbiolo winegrapes from two Valtellina vineyards. During three consecutive vintages (2019, 2020, and 2021), three different technological binomials have been tested: early harvest/long withering (EL), medium-term harvest/medium-term withering (MM), and late harvest/short withering (LS). Results: At the end of the withering process, EL thesis usually presented the highest values of sugars and acidity. Extractable seed polyphenols showed a decreasing trend by leaving the grapes on the plant longer, and this effect increased considerably after withering with respect to fresh samples. EL and MM evidenced the greater concentration of these compounds expressed on grape weight, particularly for tannins. Instead, skin-extracted total phenolics were less influenced by the harvest time, whereas their concentration increased after withering. The harvest time appears to have a higher impact than the withering length on the final extractable anthocyanin content, although the trend was no stable during the vintages or common for the two vineyards evaluated. EL and MM experienced the highest contents of grape skin tannins in most cases, suggesting that a longer withering increases their concentration. Conclusion: Harvest time and withering length can be modulated according to the desired oenological objective, promoting the valorization of grape potentialities. The choice to harvest the grapes earlier and enhance the withering length should be preferred to obtain wines with higher acidity and phenolic content, more suitable for long-ageing period.

Combined effect of harvest time and postharvest dehydration length on the composition of withered grapes for Sforzato di Valtellina DOCG wine production

Scalzini, Giulia
Co-first
;
Giacosa, Simone
Co-first
;
Paissoni, Maria Alessandra
;
Rio Segade, Susana;De Paolis, Camilla;Skrab, Domen;Zava, Andrea;Motta, Giulia;Ferrero, Lorenzo;Beria D'Argentina, Sofia;Gerbi, Vincenzo;Rolle, Luca
Last
2023-01-01

Abstract

Background: Sforzato di Valtellina (Sfursat) is a PDO reinforced red wine produced in Valtellina (northern Italy) from partially withered red grapes (Vitis vinifera L.) cv. Nebbiolo. The present study aimed to evaluate the combined influence of different grape ripeness levels and withering length on the chemical composition, mechanical properties, and phenolic profile of Nebbiolo winegrapes from two Valtellina vineyards. During three consecutive vintages (2019, 2020, and 2021), three different technological binomials have been tested: early harvest/long withering (EL), medium-term harvest/medium-term withering (MM), and late harvest/short withering (LS). Results: At the end of the withering process, EL thesis usually presented the highest values of sugars and acidity. Extractable seed polyphenols showed a decreasing trend by leaving the grapes on the plant longer, and this effect increased considerably after withering with respect to fresh samples. EL and MM evidenced the greater concentration of these compounds expressed on grape weight, particularly for tannins. Instead, skin-extracted total phenolics were less influenced by the harvest time, whereas their concentration increased after withering. The harvest time appears to have a higher impact than the withering length on the final extractable anthocyanin content, although the trend was no stable during the vintages or common for the two vineyards evaluated. EL and MM experienced the highest contents of grape skin tannins in most cases, suggesting that a longer withering increases their concentration. Conclusion: Harvest time and withering length can be modulated according to the desired oenological objective, promoting the valorization of grape potentialities. The choice to harvest the grapes earlier and enhance the withering length should be preferred to obtain wines with higher acidity and phenolic content, more suitable for long-ageing period.
2023
103
12
6105
6118
grape postharvest, phenolic compounds, withering process, red winegrapes, reinforced wines, Sforzato di Valtellina DOCG
Scalzini, Giulia; Giacosa, Simone; Paissoni, Maria Alessandra; Rio Segade, Susana; De Paolis, Camilla; Skrab, Domen; Zava, Andrea; Motta, Giulia; Ferr...espandi
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2318/1904277
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