A three year wine monitoring for Bretanomyces bruxellensis infection

Abstract

Analysed musts and wines was obtained from varieties grown in different regions of Moldova with Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) – Codru, Stefan Voda and Valul lui Traian. Wine samples were taken for B. bruxellensis detection three months after clarification and stabilization before bottling. DNA isolation from musts and wines was performed according to ISO 21571:2005 protocol with modifications. Most of the wine samples were obtained from vineyards of the Codru and Stefan Voda PGI

regions, and no statistical difference was identified in B. bruxellensis propagation in wines obtained from grapes cultivated in the mentioned regions. In addition, the data imply that this species under favorable conditions propagates equally on both white and red wines, not manifesting specific media preference for its growth and development. The contamination levels of mature wines with B. bruxellensis fluctuated in accordance with the year of grape cultivation. Thus, it may be noted that climatic, edaphic, biotic factors as well as agrotechnical practices of grapevine cultivation in two different regions PGI of Moldova – Codru and Stefan Voda – do not play a major role in B. bruxellensis propagation in mature wines. The dynamics of respective yeast species infection of mature wines might speak in favor of the hypothesis that grape berries can be a potential source of B. bruxellensis in wine.