The impact of grapevine red blotch disease on Vitis vinifera L. Chardonnay grape and wine composition and sensory attributes over three seasons

BACKGROUND Grapevine red blotch virus (GRBV) is a recently discovered DNA virus, which was demonstrated to be responsible for grapevine red blotch disease (GRBD). Its presence has been confirmed in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and South Korea in white and red Vitis vinifera cultivars, including Chardonnay. It has been shown that the three-cornered alfalfa treehopper (Spissistilus festinus) was able to both acquire the GRBV from a grapevine infected and transmit it to healthy grapevines in glasshouse conditions. Studies found that GRBD impacts fruit price, grapevine physiology, and grape berry composition and metabolism in red cultivars. This study evaluated the impact of GRBD on V. vinifera L. Chardonnay grape and wine composition and sensory properties from one vineyard during the 2014, 2015 and 2016 seasons. RESULTS Grapes from symptomatic red blotch diseased grapevines were lower in total soluble solids, flavan-3-ol, and total phenolic content, and higher in flavonol content when compared to grapes from healthy grapevines. Wines made with grapes from symptomatic grapevines resulted mostly in lower ethanol content and higher pH when compared to wines made from healthy grapevines. Analysis of volatile compounds and descriptive analysis demonstrated that GRBD can impact wine style by altering aroma, flavor, and mouthfeel attributes. CONCLUSIONS The impacts of GRBD on grape composition directly influenced wine chemistry. The decreased ethanol content impacted not only the levels of volatile compounds but the sensory perception during descriptive analysis. The extent of GRBD impact on the grape composition and wine composition and sensory attributes varied between seasons. (c) 2019 Society of Chemical Industry