Quality Properties of Merlot Grapes and Wines from Different Climate Conditions of Türkiye

Abstract

In this study, the chemical composition, aroma, and sensory properties of wines obtained from Merlot grapes grown in two different climate conditions in Turkey, URLA (located in western Asia Minor, known as the ancient Aegean region) and ŞARKÖY (located in the European portion, known as the ancient Thrace region) were investigated. Urla experiences hotter climate conditions, lower day-to-night temperature variations, and lower annual precipitation compared to Şarköy. Grapes from Urla exhibited higher pH values and total sugar content but lower phenolic and anthocyanin contents compared to those from Şarköy. Wines from Urla's climate had higher levels of esters, lactones, carbonyl compounds, and norisoprenoids compared to wines from Şarköy's climate. Sensory analyses revealed that wines from Urla, with its hot climate, were characterized by ripe fruit and floral aromas, while wines from Şarköy, with its warm climate, exhibited more woody and herbal (bell pepper) aromas alongside fruit characters. These findings emphasize the importance of considering climate conditions in the assessment of grape and wine quality, which can vary substantially between different regions.

Keywords

• Merlot
• wine quality
• aroma
• sensory evaluation

Supporting Institution

This work was supported by Scientific Projects Unit of Cukurova University Research Project (No: FYL-2017-8598)

Project Number

FYL-2017-8598

Thanks

The authors acknowledge the Scientific Projects Unit of Cukurova University Research Project (No: FYL-2017-8598) for the financial support provided and Mey-Diageo Company for providing the grapes and helping with the vinification processes.

Türkiye'nin Farklı İklim Koşullarında Yetiştirilen Merlot Üzüm ve Şaraplarının Kalite Özellikleri

Abstract

Bu çalışmada, Türkiye’nin iki farklı iklim koşuluna sahip bölgesinde, URLA (Batı Ege) ve ŞARKÖY (Trakya)'de yetiştirilen Merlot üzümlerinden elde edilen şarapların kimyasal bileşimi, aroma profili ve duyusal özellikleri araştırılmıştır. Urla, Şarköy'e kıyasla daha sıcak iklim koşullarına, daha düşük gündüz-gece sıcaklık farklarına ve daha düşük yıllık yağış miktarına sahiptir. Urla bölgesine ait üzümler, Şarköy bölgesine ait üzümlere kıyasla daha yüksek pH değeri, toplam şeker içeriğine sahipken fenolik bileşik ve antosiyanin içerikleri daha düşüktür. Urla iklimi şarapları, Şarköy iklimi şaraplarına kıyasla daha yüksek düzeylerde ester, lakton, karbonil bileşikleri ve norizoprenoidleri içermektedir. Duyusal değerlendirme, sıcak iklime sahip Urla şaraplarının olgun meyve ve çiçeksi aromalarla karakterize olduğunu, ılıman iklime sahip Şarköy şaraplarının ise meyve aromaları ile birlikte daha fazla odunsu ve bitkisel (dolmalık biber) aromalar sergilediğini ortaya koymuştur. Bu bulgular, üzüm ve şarap kalitesinin değerlendirilmesinde iklim koşullarının dikkate alınmasının önemini vurgulamakta olup, bu koşulların farklı bölgeler arasında önemli farklılıklara yol açabileceğini göstermektedir.

Keywords

• Merlot
• şarap kalitesi
• aroma
• duyusal değerlendirme

Supporting Institution

Bu proje Çukurova Üniversitesi BAP Birimi tarafından desteklenmiştir (FYL-2017-8598).

Project Number

FYL-2017-8598

Thanks

Yazarlar, sağlanan mali destek için Çukurova Üniversitesi Bilimsel Araştırma Projeleri Birimi’ne (Proje No: FYL-2017-8598) ve üzümleri temin edip şarap yapım süreçlerinde yardımcı olan Mey-Diageo şirketine teşekkür eder.

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