Affiliation:
1. University of Life Sciences �King Michael I�, Faculty of Engineering and Applied technologies, Department of Horticulture
2. Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy
Abstract
Climatic variability from year to year and even within the same growing season has a significant impact on the composition of the grapes and the resulting wines. This study covered several vineyards along a 400-km route in western Romania to empirically describe the influence of climate on berry concentration in titratable acidity (TA), pH and anthocyanins of two wine varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc) during 2021-2022 growing seasons. The results showed that at a sugar level of 23o Brix total soluble solids, berries harvested in years with higher temperatures during the growing season had lower anthocyanins, and TA, but a higher pH, than berries harvested in cooler autumns. Depending on the variety, TA, anthocyanins and pH were explained on the basis of climatic variables from the vineyards location, such as the temperature during the growth and the ripening period of the berries. Despite variations in soil type and management, climate had a stronger impact on berry composition. This study revealed that climate is the most important factor in the accumulation of quality parameters in grape berries for all three wine grape varieties. The results of the study may be useful as a model for estimating changes in TA, pH, and anthocyanins in grape berries in response to climate change, in other grape varieties and wine-growing regions.