Researchers discover growth regulator for wine grapes
Grapes are a key item to the creation of wine, and having the perfectly aged grape will often determine the overall quality of the wine. Now, wineries may have more control over the production of their grapes thanks to a new regulatory agent discovered by CSIRO Plant Industry, reports Physorg.
When grapes ripen, they produce sugar. This sugar is often what determines alcohol content and sweetness in wines. Regulatory agents could help wineries encourage grapes to ripen at the same time, enabling them to make wines that are uniform in taste and optimized for perfection.
“[The plant-growth regulators are] very useful as [they] extend harvest times allowing the timely processing of fruit ripened to the desired stage, alleviating winery bottlenecks,” Physorg quotes CSIRO’s Dr. Christopher Davies as saying. “Such a delay may also ensure ripening occurs under more favorable climatic conditions.”
Such growth inhibitors could benefit local Seattle wineries. The Associated Press recently reported that cold summer months and an early winter may have a negative effect on this year’s wines.