Defining and exploiting the indigenous microflora of grapes

Background

Microorganisms isolated from 2018 winery samples. Photo: K. Sumby

Uninoculated fermentations that use resident grape and wine microflora have seen a dramatic resurgence in winemaking. Previously, fear of spoilage saw resident microbes suppressed by addition of a selected strain and SO2, but now these resident non-Saccharomyces yeasts are being encouraged. The spoilage risk remains, but the reward is an increased flavour complexity arising from extensive competition for and sharing of metabolites and cell-cell interactions. Distinct local populations or ‘microbial terroirs’ have been demonstrated in recent work (e.g Knight et al 2015).

This project will use the unique resource of a single block of many grape varieties on the same soil, encountering the same climatic conditions, to define the impact of grape variety only on microbial terroir. Different varieties, phenology, skin thicknesses, grape and bunch architecture, attractiveness to animal and insect pests, etc are expected to lead to different microbial populations.

Objectives/aims

The project seeks to identify novel yeast and lactic acid bacteria (for use as pure cultures) and an understanding of vine and grape attributes that favour particular species. Knowledge gained about the grape population that inoculates the fermentation will help winemakers better steer the microbes and fermentation to a desired outcome.

Key outputs from this project

Research Articles

KM Sumby, N Caliani, V Jiranek (2021) Yeast diversity in the vineyard: How it is defined, measured and influenced by fungicides. Australian Journal of Grape & Wine Research, 27 (2), 169-193, DOI 10.1111/ajgw.12479

Project leader


Professor
Vladimir Jiranek
University of Adelaide
 

Research Associates


Dr
Krista Sumby
(Research Associate)
University of Adelaide
 

Students


Ms
Natalia Caliani
(PhD Student)
University of Adelaide
 

Other investigators


Dr
Anthony Borneman
AWRI

Associate Professor
Cassandra Collins
University of Adelaide

Dr
Eveline Bartowsky
Lallemand

Mrs
Kim Chalmers
Chalmers Wines
 

Industry partners

AGRFThe Australian Wine Research InstituteChalmers Wines AustraliaLallemand

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