Rapid assessment of grapes prior to harvest to quantify fungal off-flavours and product composition

Background

Harvest decisions are often pressured by harvest, transport and winery logistics and the need to coordinate with ripening of other grape varieties. Vintage compression, late rains and the associated mould growth and off-flavours add to the problem. Rapid objective methods to assess grape quality and mould taints would help decision-making and grading of grapes but currently no methods exist.

Objectives/aims

This project will develop in-field assessment of grape quality, composition and fungal taint compounds. The work builds upon our expertise for quantifying volatiles linked to grape fungal infection and will extend to volatiles linked to wine faults and taints. New instrumentation will aid growers and winemakers to ensure quality, thereby offering better wine to consumers, but could be applied more broadly to other horticultural crops.

 

Key outputs from this project

Research Articles

Jiang, L., Qiu, Y., Dumlao, M. C., Donald, W. A., Steel, C. C., & Schmidtke, L. M. (2023) Detection and prediction of Botrytis cinerea infection levels in wine grapes using volatile. Food Chemistry, 421, 136120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.136120

Jiang, L., Dumlao, M. C., Donald, W. A., Steel, C. C., & Schmidtke, L. M. (2023) Rapid in-field volatile sampling for detection of Botrytis cinerea infection in wine grapes. Molecules202328(13), 5227; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28135227

 

Project leader


Professor
Leigh Schmidtke
Charles Sturt University
 

Research Associates


Dr
Morphy Dumlao
(Research Associate)
Charles Sturt University
 

Students


Ms
Liang Jiang
(PhD Student)
Charles Sturt University
 

Other investigators


Dr
Suzy Rogiers
NSW DPI
 

Industry partners

NSW Department of Primary Industries

Latest News

Macrowine Conference – Isara Vongluanngam

Macrowine Conference – Isara Vongluanngam

By Isara Vongluanngam Every two years, wine researchers from around the world come together to exchange their latest findings and knowledge at OenoMacrowine conference. This renowned international congress focuses on macromolecules and secondary Metabolites of vine...

read more
Andres Experience at Terclim 2022 | Bordeaux, France

Andres Experience at Terclim 2022 | Bordeaux, France

By Andres Zhou Tsang     I am sure many of the ARC Training Centre Members have very fond memories of the 13th International Terroir Congress, taking place in Adelaide back in 2020, which connected grape and wine scientists and industry leaders from all over...

read more