Danielle Fox* and James Harbertson
*Washington State University, 359 University Dr., Richland, WA 99354 (djf13b@my.fsu.edu)

Little is understood about the influence of vineyard location on wines made from the same varietal clone, particularly regarding phenolic composition. This experiment aims to compare effects of vineyard site and clone on the chemical and phenolic composition of Cabernet Sauvignon wines in the Columbia Valley. Cabernet Sauvignon clones (FPS Clone 08 from Concannon Vineyards and FPS Clone 10 from Neustadt, Germany), both located in two mesoclimatic vineyards, were monitored throughout veraison based on a random sampling block design. Berry samples were analyzed for pH, titratable acidity, total soluble solids (Brix), yield, and phenolic composition. Wines were fermented in triplicate (12 total) in 220 L stainless steel fermenters. Pressed wine samples were analyzed for pH, titratable acidity, and phenolic classes after alcoholic and malolactic fermentation. In harvest samples, the yield, total soluble solids (Brix), titratable acidity, and phenolic composition were different across each vineyard location site (yield: p = 0.004, TSS: p < 0.001, TA: p < 0.001), while berry weight was significantly different by clone (p = 0.007). Clone had a significant effect on pH and titratable acidity (pH: p = 0.026, TA: p < 0.001), while site significantly impacted all phenolic classes (p < 0.001) except polymeric pigments. Principle component analysis of the primary fermentation sample data supports the observation of a strong site influence. The initial results suggest that vineyard location is more influential on wine phenolic composition. Future work includes additional vintages and examining aspects of viticulture that impact phenolics (vine vigor, water deficits, nitrogen deficiencies). We also plan to do sensory analysis to further examine the association between vineyard site and Cabernet clone on wine quality and phenolic composition.

Funding Support: Washington State Grape and Wine Research Program