Unlocking aroma formation in wine

From Chardonnay to Sauvignon, Dornfelder to Merlot, every grape variety has its own distinctive aromatic profile. The reason why a white wine has either fruity or flowery notes or a red has flavours of nutmeg or berries is all down to the composition of the terpenes, a diverse category of chemical substances including cholesterol and oestrogen. These compounds accumulate as the grape ripens, especially in the skin. The number of terpenes formed depends on external factors, including the soil conditions or hours of sunshine.

Scientists from Technische Universität München (TUM), the Hochschule Geisenheim and the Universität Bonn have identified two enzymes that determine the terpene content - and thus the aroma intensity - of grapes. The findings could play an important role in the future development of grape varieties.

Terpenes only contribute to the aroma if they are in a free state, Prof. Wilfried Schwab from the Biotechnology of Natural Products program explains: “Terpenes are biochemically altered in the metabolism of plants - usually through the attachment of sugars, or glycosylation. In this attached form, however, the terpenes are no longer aroma-active.” In Riesling grapes, for example, only 20% of the terpenes occur in a free state.

The research team investigated the biochemical principles of terpene glycosylation. They identified two related enzymes that transfer the sugar groups to various terpenes. “What we have discovered here is a fundamental mechanism that could be relevant for the cultivation of new grape varieties or the improvement of existing ones,” claims Schwab.

Growers could specifically select vines with a genetic profile that will likely have a high proportion of free terpenes - and which will therefore be particularly aromatic. “A key role is played here by the sugar-transferring enzymes,” comments Schwab. “If the plant produces few enzymes, then the level of activity will be low. As a result, the aroma-active terpenes will accumulate in the grape.” As soon as the genetic profiles of current grape varieties have been determined, the new findings can be transferred directly to practice.