ARS | Publication request: Vineyard management practices and the quality of grapes and grape products in the Pacific Northwest - USDA-ARS CRIS (Current Research Information System) project

Submitted to: Oregon Wine Research Institute
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: December 15, 2010
Publication Date: February 11, 2011
Citation: Lee, J., Tarara, J.M. 2011. Vineyard management practices and the quality of grapes and grape products in the Pacific Northwest - USDA-ARS CRIS (Current Research Information System) project. Oregon Wine Research Institute Viticulture and Enology Research Colloquium. Meeting Booklet.

Technical Abstract: One of our three program goals for this USDA-ARS-CRIS project is to determine the effects of vineyard and vine microclimate (sunlight, temperature, humidity, etc) upon fruit development, vine productivity, and fruit quality, particularly phenolic compounds. Plant phenolics are important due to their contribution to quality and organoleptic properties in the fresh and processed products via appearance, taste, and texture. Using a model red grape variety ('Merlot'), we demonstrated the negative effects of short exposure to extreme high fruit temperatures on classes of compounds associated with grape and wine quality: anthocyanins and flavonol-glycosides. Knowledge of natural temperature fluctuations in vineyards, and their effects on grape quality, led to practical recommendations that enable growers in warm grape-growing regions to adjust their vineyard management practices to maintain an environment conducive to the highest quality fruit. We continue to fine-tune our investigation into how berry temperatures and / or solar radiation impacts grape primary and secondary metabolites.