Irrigation effects on the sensory perception of wines from three white grapevine cultivars traditional from Galicia (Albariño, Godello and Treixadura)

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the effect of irrigation on the sensory profile of wines from three Galician white grapevine cultivars. Field experiments were carried out in 2011 and 2012 at the research farm of the Estación de Viticultura e Enoloxía de Galicia (EVEGA), where two treatments were imposed: rain-fed and irrigation to the 50% of potential evapotranspiration. A panel of seven judges tasted the wines in six sessions (one per cultivar and year) for evaluating their sensory profile. In the case of 'Albariño', three descriptors, although not the same for both years, were significantly different between treatments. For 'Godello', several descriptors differed between treatments, and citric was present in both years. In 'Treixadura' white fruit and persistence were present in 2011 and 2012. Several descriptors contributed to the hedonic index, but differed between wines; however, balance was common for all the cultivars and years. In conclusion, 'Albariño' and 'Godello' wines from the rain-fed treatment received higher marks than those from the irrigation treatment; whereas Treixadura wines from the irrigation treatment were better valued.