Impact of Smoke from Wheat, Oat, and Clover Stubble Burning on Cabernet Sauvignon Grapes and Wine
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(Published version)
Date
2023
Authors
Shi, T.
Ristic, R.
Wilkinson, K.L.
Editors
Tian, B.
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Journal article
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Australian Journal of Grape and Wine Research, 2023; 2023:6693220-1-6693220-10
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Tingting Shi, Renata Ristic, and Kerry L. Wilkinson
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Abstract
Background and Aims. Stubble burning is an agricultural practice employed by some grain growers to prepare farmland for sowing and/or to control weeds and pests. Grapegrowers and winemakers have questioned whether the resulting smoke can contaminate grapes in nearby vineyards. ,is study therefore sought to determine the potential for smoke from three di2erent stubble burns to taint grapes and wine. Methods and Results. Excised bunches of mature Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were exposed to smoke from prescribed burning of wheat, oat, and Balansa clover stubble windrows. Environmental sensors monitored the concentration of particulate matter as a measure of smoke density, while chemical and sensory analysis established the extent to which grapes and wine were tainted by smoke. Only grapes that were positioned among the burning wheat windrows or downwind, but in close proximity (∼200 m) to the oat stubble burn, were exposed to su7cient quantities of smoke to result in a detectable concentration of volatile phenols (up to 12 μg/kg), as chemical markers of smoke taint. ,These grapes yielded wines with two to threefold higher volatile phenol concentrations (up to 18 μg/L) than other wines, including the control wine, and low intensity, but perceptible smoke-related sensory attributes, indicative of low-level smoke taint. Conclusions. Chemical and sensory analyses suggest the risk of smoke taint from stubble burning is low, except where vineyards are immediately downwind and/or prolonged or repeated smoke exposure occurs. However, stubble moisture content and prevailing weather conditions a2ect smoke density and dispersion, and will therefore a2ect the potential for smoke contamination by grapes. Significance of the Study. ,is study will assist colocated grain growers and grape and wine producers to undertake commercial operations, without negatively impacting one another.
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Copyright © 2023 Tingting Shi et al. ,is is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.