Five Vitis vinifera L. cultivars Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris at different E-L development stages were harvested in two experimental vintages. Temperature and ...rainfall data of the growing period were obtained from the Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology. Free terpene concentrations of all harvested grape samples were analysed using HS-SPME-GC-MS. One-way ANNOVA was performed to evaluate the significance of changes in terpene concentrations at different maturation stages. More analysis of the data is provided in “Free terpene evolution during the berry maturation of five Vitis vinifera L. cultivars” 1.
•Terpene profiles could discriminate five wine grape varieties at five E-L stages.•Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon had consistent evolution patterns for total norisoprenoids and ...sesquiterpenes.•(E)-β-Damascenone concentration increased along with the berry maturation in all varieties.•Sesquiterpenes showed a ‘U’ shape evolution pattern for most varieties in both vintages.
Terpenes and their derivatives, terpenoids, are important biomarkers of grape quality as they contribute to flavor and aroma of grape and wine. The evolution of terpene and terpenoids throughout grapevine phenological development cycles is not well understood. The current study investigated the volatile profiles of free terpene and terpenoid of five widely grown Vitis vinifera L. cultivars (Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris), at different phenological stages from fruit-set to harvest. 17 Monoterpenoids, 3 norisoprenoid and 13 sesquiterpenoids were identified and quantified. Discriminant analysis revealed that for each grape cultivar, free terpene profiles at different E-L stages were distinctive. When integrating total sugar, total terpenes and the cumulated heat index, it could be found that flavor ripening was more consistent with sugar ripening in the warmer vintage 2016. Comparing the two red wine varieties, the overall development patterns of total monoterpenes, norisoprenoids and sesquiterpenes were similar.