Objective
Traditionally, wines were produced by the resident grape/winery microbiota, whereas nowadays commercial Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Oenococcus oeni starter cultures are widely used to ensure a manageable process. Despite advantages, this may lead to sensory resemblance of wines from diverse origins. Currently, the competitive nature of global wine market urges for the production of premium wines with regional character. Consumers also call for allergen-free wines made according to natural and organic procedures. To this end, the use of indigenous S. cerevisiae or non-Saccharomyces (wild) yeasts and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) is a tool to create wine complexity and authenticity, while selected LAB may effectively control malolactic fermentation and thereby eliminate biogenic amines (BA). The innovative scope of this project is to combine native S. cerevisiae with wild yeasts and native O. oeni with other LAB in the development of peculiar multi-species yeast and bacterial starter blends, respectively. These formulations will be carefully designed to fulfill all the essential and desirable winemaking properties to serve as starters in induced wild fermentations for the production of specialty organic or conventional wines. For this purpose, the biodiversity of key EU viticultural areas will be thoroughly screened to identify strains of enological importance as per their phenotypic characters and genetic traits. Their eligibility will be validated in plant-scale fermentations and wines will be evaluated by sensory analysis and consumer acceptance testing. Outcomes will enable (a) launching of ‘wild ferment’ technology in winemaking, (b) production of innovative, safe terroir wines and (c) compliance with rules on organic wine production and BA content. By these means, the project will assist the SME-AGs from leading wine producing EU countries (France, Italy, Spain, Greece) to enhance marketing abilities towards a more competitive and sustainable wine industry.
Fields of science
- engineering and technologyindustrial biotechnologybioprocessing technologiesfermentation
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesmicrobiologybacteriology
- social scienceseconomics and businessbusiness and managementcommerce
- agricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagriculturehorticultureviticulture
Call for proposal
FP7-SME-2012
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
BSG-SME-AG - Research for SME associations/groupingsCoordinator
11145 Athina
Greece
Participants (15)
Participation ended
33076 Bordeaux Cedex
33570 Montagne
70100 Irakleio, Crete
14100 Asti
20500 Nemea
43737 Torroja Del Priorat Tarragona
33570 Lussac
25100 Aeghion
33210 Sauternes
43730 Falset
14040 Castel Boglione (At)
10124 Torino
33000 Bordeaux
30240 Le Grau Du Roi
43003 Tarragona