Abstract:
Two vintages of Vitis vinifera cv. Pinot noir wine from a viticulture trial evaluating
nitrogen fertilization, tilling and irrigation underwent descriptive analysis using a
modified version of free-choice profiling. Wines were made from three field blocks
of the twelve factorial combinations of Irrigation (Dry or Irrigated), Tillage (Tilled
or not Tilled) and Fertilization (None, Foliar nitrogen supplementation or soil
applied nitrogen). Irrigation was associated with lower anthocyanins and total
phenols as well as lower color intensity and purple hue in both vintages. Irrigation
increased vegetative and spicy character in the 1999 vintage while non-irrigated
treatments were characterized by fruit, cherry and berry characteristics. Tilling
significantly increased fruity flavor and body in the 1999 vintage and was
associated with increased vegetative character in the 2000 vintage. In the 2000
vintage, non-fertilized treatments were significantly higher in floral aroma than the
soil or foliar fertilized treatments.
