Processing techniques for red wines and their potential health benefits have intensively been investigated, however, information relevant to the grape and wine industry in Texas is less frequently available. The overall objective of this work was to investigate the reduction of 3-alkyl-2-methoxypyrazines that can affect the quality of Texas wines and to study the health benefits of Texas wines. The methods used include SPME-GC-MS and molecular bioassays. The first objective was to demonstrate the anti-inflammatory potential effect of red wine polyphenols from Black Spanish wine (Vitis aestivalis hybrid) in colonic human fibroblast cells. Results show that an extract prepared from Black Spanish wine decreased gene expression and activation of NF-kB transcription factor and target proinflammatory cytokines and cell adhesion molecules. Induction of microRNA-126 (miR- 126) by wine extract was found to be one of the underlying molecular mechanism by which wine extract decreased vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM-1) and inflammation in colon cells. These mechanisms may be relevant to the prevention of iv inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that may increase the risk for colon cancer. The second objective was to investigate the role of the green june beetle (GJB ) as exogenous source of MPs other than the multicolored Asian Lady beetle (Harmonia axyridis). Over the last decade, the green june beetle has been suspected to be a source of MPs based on intermittent reports from Texas growers of an atypical aroma and flavor reminiscent of crushed green June beetles (GJB). Specifically the North region of Texas seems affected. Results demonstrated GJB as source of 3-isopropyl-2- methoxypyrazine, where one GJB could elevate MPs above sensory perceptible levels in 4.3 gallons of wine. The incorporation of GJB to the winemaking process may contribute negatively to the sensory properties of Texas wines and therefore should be strictly controlled. The third objective was to explore the potential effect of micro-oxygenation treatment and accelerated aging techniques relevant for the state of Texas in the reduction of 3-Isobutyl-2-methoxypyrazine (IBMP), and 3-isopropyl-2-methoxypyrazine (IPMP) levels as determined by SPME-GC-MS. Results show that MPs were not affected by MOX or oak interaction. Although the data suggest that MOX and oak exposure do not directly affect MPs concentration. The fourth research objective was to explore the potential effect of three commercial available yeast strains, BM45, K1, and D80, on MPs levels in Black Spanish wines. Black Spanish wines were fermented with MB45 strain resulted in the highest amount of MPs. Conversely K1 and D80 yeast strains reduced IBMP levels in comparison with the control. An increase in IBMP was not expected. However it has been demonstrated that amino acids valine and leucine are MPs precursors. If Vitis v aestivalis hybrid grapes contained a similar methyltransferase enzyme found in Vitis vinifera grapes and S. cerevisiae contained similar IPMP biosynthesis pathway found in Pseudomonas perolens BM45 may have led to the increased IBMP observed in the fermentation. In addition we evaluated MPs levels of wines fermented over 20 days with a chemical defined grape juice medium containing a concentration of yeast available nitrogen of 200 mg N/L. Data suggest that wines fermented with BM45 and D80 yeast strains reduced IBMP but K1 yeast did not show any effect in comparison with the control. In addition MPs were evaluated in the yeast mannoproteins fraction. Results show the presence of IBMP in low concentration below the method detection limit. This data demonstrate for the first time that yeast mannoproteins binds IBMP. to evidence for interactions between mannoproteins secreted by the D80 yeast strain and IBMP. This work will provide valuable information regarding the potential health benefits of Vitis aestivalis hybrid grapes and reduction of MPs and thus improving the quality of Texas wines

Cabernet sauvignon is the most widely planted red wine grape in California and is valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Cabernet sauvignon grapes, when severely vigorous or overcropped, can contain vegetal aromas and flavors when harvested. 3-alkyl-methoxypyrazines are the volatile compounds responsible for this effect and can lower the perceived quality of the wine. Resveratrol is a phytoalexin that has many medical and health benefits and can be found in red wines. An experiment was conducted in Paso Robles, CA to assess the effects of five yield levels, manipulated through cluster thinning, on methoxypyrazine and resveratrol concentrations. Berry weights and chemistry were also measured, in the form of ºBrix, pH, and TA. In 2009 and 2010, no significant statistical differences were found in methoxypyrazines in the harvested grapes. In 2009, resveratrol concentrations were below the detection limits in the wine produced. In 2010, berry weight and chemistry measurements were not significantly different, except for grapes from lightly- and greatly-thinned vines which varied in pH at harvest. The 2009 wines were subjected to discrimination and preference testing by trained tasters. No significant difference was found in the discrimination test and no difference was found using the Friedman and Kramer’s Rank test for the preference test. Only a very slight difference was found between the wines made from unthinned and greatly-thinned vines according to Tukey’s Multiple Comparison Test. The findings of this thesis suggest that cluster thinning does not affect methoxypyrazine and resveratrol concentrations or sensory analysis in Cabernet sauvignon grown on the east side of Paso Roble, CA.

Les analyses physico-chimiques des arômes du vin prennent aujourd’hui un essor considérable pour faciliter la prise de décision des professionnels de la vigne et du vin. Des analyses performantes, pour un certain nombre de molécules parmi les plus pertinentes, ont été développées (GC-MS, LC-MS). Cependant les techniques utilisées ne sont pas facilement transposables au sein des exploitations. L’objectif de cette thèse est donc de proposer un nouveau type de dosage peu onéreux et simple à mettre en œuvre. La technique envisagée est le dosage immunologique (tests ELISA) qui permet, pour quelques Euros, de doser directement sur le terrain les molécules pertinentes sans préparation préalable des échantillons. Les molécules visées (alkylméthoxypyrazines et précurseurs cystéinylés de thiols volatiles) sont présentes dans les vins de Cabernet Sauvignon et de Sauvignon blanc. / Analytical methods for the detection and quantification of wines aroma typically utilise HPLC-MS or GC-MS. The methods require some isolation and concentration step preceding the analysis. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) are becoming either alternative complementary analytical tools to conventional methods because of their rapidity, sensitivity, selectivity, and low cost. In this Thesis, the applicability of ELISAs for detection and quantification of precursors of volatile thiols and alkylmethoxypyrazines, which have been isolated from wines, made from Cabernet Sauvignon or Sauvignon Blanc, are described.

The effects of crop load and berry exposure on the composition of Marlborough Sauvignon blanc grapes and wine from the Brancott vineyard, Blenheim, were explored. Commercially grown, 2-cane and 4-cane Sauvignon blanc vines were used with a row orientation of north-south. Two exposure treatments were imposed in the following manner: complete leaf removal was undertaken in the fruit zone and 50% shade cloth was erected to give a uniform shading treatment to half the trial vines. Weekly thirty-berry and whole bunch samples were taken from each of the 32 plots with the exception of the veraison period when two samples per week were taken. Vine vigour was assessed using pruning and leaf area per vine data. Harvest occurred on different dates for 2-cane and 4-cane pruned vines so that fruit attained from both treatments had similar °Brix. Fruit was processed at the Lincoln University winery. Must analysis and wine analysis were undertaken. As expected, 4-cane vines had almost double the yield of 2-cane vines. Higher crop load significantly reduced leaf area per shoot and shoot thickness. Lower leaf area to fruit ratio for 4-cane berries resulted in delayed onset of veraison and slowed the rate of sugar accumulation. Crop load, which limited leaf area to fruit ratio, appeared to be the dominant factor in determining timing of grape physiological ripeness as expressed by °Brix over other factors such as fruit exposure. Malic acid, tartaric acid, IPMP (iso-propylmethoxypyrazine) and IBMP (iso-butyl-methoxypyrazine) were lower at equivalent °Brix in 4-cane compared with 2-cane berries. Significantly higher concentrations of quercetin were found in exposed compared to shaded berries. Must analysis showed a significant influence of crop load on berry titratable acidity and pH, reflecting berry ripening results. Exposure significantly increased the concentrations of nitrogenous compounds in 4-cane must yet showed no influence on 2-cane must. After wine processing lower malic acid concentrations in wines made from 100% exposed fruit became evident in lower wine titratable acidity but showed no influence on wine pH. Bentonite addition to wines had a small but statistically significant influence on wine by reducing pH, titratable acidity and alcohol. Bound sulphur concentrations were significantly higher in 4-cane versus 2-cane wines. At harvest, methoxypyrazine levels in grapes and wines were very low; IBMP concentrations where significantly lower than those normally found in Sauvignon blanc wines from Marlborough. This was attributed to the absence of basal leaves from the shoots of ripening berries. The results suggest that leaf area to fruit ratio is a powerful determinant of grape and wine quality.

No description available.

Thesis (MScAgric (Viticulture and Oenology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / Includes bibliogaphy. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Sauvignon blanc wines have become increasingly popular in South Africa as it is a cultivar that can be easily manipulated in the vineyard and cellar to produce a range of wine styles. These wines are usually given aroma descriptors such as green pepper, grassy and asparagus; while other more tropical aromas include passion fruit and guava. These aromas are thought to be mainly caused by methoxypyrazines and volatile thiols. These compounds are known to be character impacting compounds of Sauvignon blanc and are present in the grapes in the aromatic form (methoxypyrazines) or as non‐aromatic precursors (thiols) that can be released by the yeast during fermentation. Other aroma compounds such as esters, higher alcohols, fatty acids and monoterpenes are compounds that could potentially influence the aroma bouquet of a wine significantly. These aroma compounds exist either as precursors in the grapes (monoterpenes) or arise due to yeast metabolism during fermentation (esters, higher alcohols, fatty acids) and often display fruity, floral and pleasant aromas. In the cellar, winemaking practices can be manipulated to a certain extent to achieve the desired wine style. Winemaking tools such as temperature, skin contact, pressing conditions, oxygen (O2), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and yeast strain are only a few factors influencing the outcome of a wine. In general, South African winemakers maintain a very reductive environment during Sauvignon blanc wine production by using inert gasses, thereby causing the production costs to increase. There is sufficient evidence to support the reductive handling of white wine, however there seems to be a lack of information as to why the must should be treated reductively before fermentation. The over all goal of this study was thus to investigate the effect of different O2 and SO2 additions to Sauvignon blanc must before settling, specifically focussing on the typical aroma compounds often found in these wines. Chapter 2 gives an overview of the oxidation reactions occurring in must (enzymatic oxidation) and wine (chemical oxidation). This chapter also reports the origin of the specific Sauvignon blanc aroma compounds and their reaction to different must and wine treatments with a focus on oxidation. Chapter 3 reports research results focussing on the effect of the different must treatments on the character impacting compounds of Sauvignon blanc wines, specifically the methoxypyrazines and the volatile thiols. The effect of the treatments on the polyphenols and glutathione content in the must and wine was also investigated. Oxidation in the absence of SO2 led to a decrease in glutathione and certain phenolic compounds in the must. In general, volatile thiols were protected against oxidation by SO2, even when O2 was present in the must. Methoxypyrazines concentrations were not significantly influenced by the treatments. Chapter 4 elucidates the effect of the treatments on other yeast and grape derived aroma compounds often found in Sauvignon blanc wines, such as the esters, higher alcohols, fatty acids and monoterpenes. In general, the effect of SO2 seemed to have the greatest influence on the produced aroma compounds. The results reported in this thesis could possibly change the way South African Sauvignon blanc musts are handled in future during the winemaking process. It is clear that O2 and SO2 management in the cellar is of critical importance for the winemaker to produce wines of high quality. Future work is important to fully understand the mechanisms and evolution of important aroma compounds of Sauvignon blanc wines during the winemaking process. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Sauvignon blanc wyn aroma word gewoonlik beskryf met terme soos groen rissie, grasagtig en aspersie terwyl ander tropiese aromas soos grenadella en koejawel ook dikwels voorkom. Die manipulasie van Sauvignon blanc in die wingerd en in die kelder tydens wynmaak, gee die wynprodusent die vryheid om ‘n wye reeks wyn style te produseer. Dit maak Sauvignon blanc baie populêr in die Suid‐Afrikaanse wynindustrie. Die bogenoemde aromas word waargeneem in die wyn as gevolg van die teenwoordigheid van sekere aroma komponente genaamd metoksipirasiene en vlugtige tiole. Hierdie komponente lewer ‘n unieke bydrae tot die aroma samestelling van Sauvignon blanc wyne en kom voor in die druiwe in die aromatiese vorm (metoksipirasiene) of as nie‐aromatiese voorlopers (tiole) wat tydens alkoholiese fermentasie deur die gis vrygestel kan word. Komponente soos esters, hoër alkohole, vetsure en monoterpene kan ook ‘n potensiële bydra lewer tot die algehele aroma van Sauvignon blanc wyne en kom voor in die druiwe (monoterpene) of ontstaan as gevolg van gis metabolisme gedurende alkoholiese fermentasie (esters, hoër alkohole, vetsure). Hierdie geur komponente word dikwels beskryf as vrugtig, blomagtig en oor die algemeen aangenaam. Tydens wynmaak kan die wyn tot ‘n mate gemanipuleer word om ‘n spesifieke wynstyl te bekom. Hulpmiddels soos temperatuur, dopkontak, pers omstandighede, suurstof (O2), swawel dioksied (SO2) en gisras is slegs ‘n paar faktore wat die algemene uitkoms van ‘n wyn kan beïnvloed. Oor die algemeen word Sauvignon blanc in Suid‐Afrika baie reduktief behandel tydens wynbereiding. Dit vereis sekere hulpmiddels, soos die gebruik van inerte gas, wat die produksiekoste dikwels verhoog. Navorsing ondersteun die reduktiewe behandeling van wit wyn, maar dit wil voorkom asof daar ‘n tekort aan navorsing is wat die reduktiewe behandeling van die sap voor fermentasie regverdig. Die algemene doel van die studie is dus om die effek van verskillende O2 en SO2 byvoegings tot Sauvignon blanc sap (voor afsak) te ondersoek met die fokus op die tipiese aroma komponente wat in die wyn voorkom. Hoofstuk 2 lewer ‘n algemene oorsig van die tipes oksidasie reaksies wat voorkom in sap (ensiematiese oksidasie) en wyn (chemiese oksidasie). Spesifieke Sauvignon blanc aroma komponente word ook ondersoek in terme van die oorsprong van die komponente asook die reaksie wat plaasvind met verskillende mos en wyn behandelings, met ‘n fokus op oksidasie. In hoofstuk 3 word die effek van die verskillende mos behandelings op tipiese Sauvignon blanc aroma komponente, spesifiek metoksipirasiene en vlugtige tiole, ondersoek. Die effek van die behandelings op die polifenole en glutatioon inhoud in die mos en wyn word ook gerapporteer. Oksidasie van die sap in die afwesigheid van SO2, het ‘n afname in glutatioon en sekere polifenol konsentrasies veroorsaak. Dit wil voorkom asof die produksie van vlugtige tiole oor die algemeen beskerm word teen oksidasie indien daar genoegsame SO2 teenwoordig is. Hierdie effek word ondervind selfs as die sap met suursof versadig word. Die effek van die behandelings op die konsentrasies van metoksipirasiene was nie beduidend nie. Hoofstuk 4 rapporteer die effek van die behandelings op ander aroma komponente soos esters, hoër alkohole, vetsure en monoterpene. Oor die algemeen wil dit voorkom asof die effek van SO2 beduidend was en waarskynlik die grootste invloed op die produksie van hierdie aroma komponente het. Na aanleiding van die resultate bevind in hierdie tesis, is daar ‘n moontlikheid dat die manier waarop Sauvignon blanc wyne geproduseer word in Suid‐Afrika, moontlik kan verander in die toekoms. Vir die wynmaker om hoë kwaliteit Sauvignon blanc wyne te produseer, is O2 en SO2 bestuur in die kelder van kardinale belang. Verdere navorsing moet steeds gedoen word om die meganisme en evolusie van belangrike aroma komponente in Sauvignon blanc wyne tydens die wynmaakproses, ten volle te verstaan.

Thesis (MScAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Sauvignon blanc wines have become progressively more important in the commercial market. Extensive research is being done in various countries to gain more understanding about the aroma compounds found in Sauvignon blanc wines and the interactions between them. Sauvignon blanc wines often have either have a green or tropical style. The green style is caused by the methoxypyrazines while the volatile thiols are important contributing compounds to the tropical style. Various international studies have focussed on measuring the chemical composition of Sauvignon blanc wines. However, more research is required on South African Sauvignon blanc wines. Little is known of the volatile thiols content of South African Sauvignon blanc wines, although the methoxypyrazine content has been extensively reported on. Although methoxypyrazines and volatile thiols are seen as the most important aroma compounds contributing to Sauvignon blanc character, other compounds contribute as well. Esters, monoterpenes and phenols have been found to influence Sauvignon blanc aroma and interact with the methoxypyrazines and volatile thiols. The complex interaction between the compounds responsible for the aroma of Sauvignon blanc wines are still not fully understood and further research is thus needed. The first part of the current study investigated the interaction between a specific methoxypyrazine and volatile thiol. Five different concentrations of 2-isobutyl-3- methoxypyrazine (ibMP) and 3-mercaptohexan-1-ol (3MH) were spiked in dearomatize, neutral Sauvignon blanc wine. The single compounds as well as every possible combination of the range of concentrations were evaluated using sensory descriptive analysis. It was found using various statistical approaches that ibMP suppressed the tropical attributes associated with 3MH and that 3MH suppressed the green attributes that correlated with ibMP. The concentrations at which the suppression occurred and the degree of suppression was different for each attribute. The second part of the current study focussed on commercial South African Sauvignon blanc wines. Sensory descriptive analysis and chemical analysis were used to assess the wines and measure the volatile thiol and methoxypyrazine concentrations. The concentrations of volatile thiols and methoxypyrazines were found to be in line with international Sauvignon blanc wines. It was also shown for the first time that the mutually suppressive trend between the volatile thiols and methoxypyrazines can be seen in commercial Sauvignon blanc wines as well. Future work is needed to fully understand the complex interaction between the various compounds in Sauvignon blanc wines. Further research could focus on investigating the mechanism of interaction between the volatile thiols and methoxypyrazines as well as other aroma compounds. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Sauvignon blanc-wyne word toenemend belangriker in die kommersiële mark. Omvattende navorsing word in etlike lande gedoen om meer begrip te ontwikkel van die aromaverbindings wat in Sauvignon blanc-wyne teenwoordig is, asook van die interaksies tussen hulle. Sauvignon blanc-wyne het in baie gevalle óf ’n groen óf ’n tropiese styl. Die groen styl word veroorsaak deur metoksipirasiene, terwyl die vlugtige tiole belangrike bydraende verbindings is wat aanleiding gee tot die tropiese style. Verskeie internasionale studies het reeds gefokus op die meet van die chemiese samestelling van Sauvignon blanc-wyne, maar meer navorsing is nodig oor Suid-Afrikaanse Sauvignon blanc-wyne. Min is bekend oor die inhoud van vlugtige tiole in Suid-Afrikaanse Sauvignon blanc-wyne, hoewel daar reeds op groot skaal oor die metoksipirasieninhoud verslag gedoen is. Hoewel metoksipirasiene en vlugtige tiole die belangrikste aromaverbindings is wat tot Sauvignon blanc-karakter bydra, is daar ook ander verbindings wat ’n bydrae maak. Esters, monoterpene en fenole het almal ’n invloed op Sauvignon blanc-aroma en reageer op die metoksipirasiene en vlugtige tiole. Die komplekse interaksie tussen die verbindings wat vir die aroma van Sauvignon blanc-wyne verantwoordelik is, word nog nie volledig begryp nie en verdere navorsing is nodig. Die eerste deel van die huidige studie het die interaksie tussen ’n spesifieke metoksipirasien en vlugtige tiol ondersoek. Vyf verskillende konsentrasies van 2-isobutiel-3-metoksipirasien (ibMP) en 3-merkaptoheksaan- 1-ool (3MH) is by ontgeurde, neutrale Sauvignon blanc-wyn gevoeg. Die enkel verbindings, asook elke moontlike kombinasie van die reeks konsentrasies, is deur middel van beskrywende sensoriese analise geëvalueer. Daar is met behulp van verskillende statistiese benaderings gevind dat ibMP die tropiese eienskappe wat verband hou met 3MH onderdruk het, terwyl 3MH die groen eienskappe wat verband hou met ibMP onderdruk het. Die konsentrasies waarteen die onderdrukking plaasgevind het en die vlak van onderdrukking het vir elke eienskap verskil. Die tweede deel van die studie het gefokus op kommersiële Suid-Afrikaanse Sauvignon blancwyne. Beskrywende sensoriese analise en chemiese analise is gebruik om die wyne te assesseer en die konsentrasies van vlugtige tiole en metoksipirasiene te meet. Die konsentrasies vlugtige tiole en metoksipirasiene was in lyn met dié van internasionale Sauvignon blanc-wyne. Daar is ook vir die eerste keer gewys dat die wedersyds onderdrukkende tendens tussen die vlugtige tiole en metoksipirasiene ook in kommersiële Sauvignon blanc-wyne gevind word. Toekomstige werk sou kon fokus op ’n begrip van die komplekse interaksie tussen die verskillende verbindings in Sauvignon blanc-wyne. Verdere navorsing sou ook kon fokus op ’n ondersoek van die meganisme van interaksie tussen die vlugtige tiole en metoksipirasiene, sowel as ander aromaverbindings. / The South African Wine Industry (Winetech), THRIP and the NRF for financial support

The effects of crop load and berry exposure on the composition of Marlborough Sauvignon blanc grapes and wine from the Brancott vineyard, Blenheim, were explored. Commercially grown, 2-cane and 4-cane Sauvignon blanc vines were used with a row orientation of north-south. Two exposure treatments were imposed in the following manner: complete leaf removal was undertaken in the fruit zone and 50% shade cloth was erected to give a uniform shading treatment to half the trial vines. Weekly thirty-berry and whole bunch samples were taken from each of the 32 plots with the exception of the veraison period when two samples per week were taken. Vine vigour was assessed using pruning and leaf area per vine data. Harvest occurred on different dates for 2-cane and 4-cane pruned vines so that fruit attained from both treatments had similar °Brix. Fruit was processed at the Lincoln University winery. Must analysis and wine analysis were undertaken. As expected, 4-cane vines had almost double the yield of 2-cane vines. Higher crop load significantly reduced leaf area per shoot and shoot thickness. Lower leaf area to fruit ratio for 4-cane berries resulted in delayed onset of veraison and slowed the rate of sugar accumulation. Crop load, which limited leaf area to fruit ratio, appeared to be the dominant factor in determining timing of grape physiological ripeness as expressed by °Brix over other factors such as fruit exposure. Malic acid, tartaric acid, IPMP (iso-propylmethoxypyrazine) and IBMP (iso-butyl-methoxypyrazine) were lower at equivalent °Brix in 4-cane compared with 2-cane berries. Significantly higher concentrations of quercetin were found in exposed compared to shaded berries. Must analysis showed a significant influence of crop load on berry titratable acidity and pH, reflecting berry ripening results. Exposure significantly increased the concentrations of nitrogenous compounds in 4-cane must yet showed no influence on 2-cane must. After wine processing lower malic acid concentrations in wines made from 100% exposed fruit became evident in lower wine titratable acidity but showed no influence on wine pH. Bentonite addition to wines had a small but statistically significant influence on wine by reducing pH, titratable acidity and alcohol. Bound sulphur concentrations were significantly higher in 4-cane versus 2-cane wines. At harvest, methoxypyrazine levels in grapes and wines were very low; IBMP concentrations where significantly lower than those normally found in Sauvignon blanc wines from Marlborough. This was attributed to the absence of basal leaves from the shoots of ripening berries. The results suggest that leaf area to fruit ratio is a powerful determinant of grape and wine quality.

The influence of soil texture on canopy growth, vine yield, and fruit composition of Sauvignon blanc were assessed on a mature vineyard from the Rapaura area in Marlborough. The subject vines were mature Sauvignon blanc in a commercial vineyard trained to four cane VSP and planted with a north south orientation. Row and vine spacings were typical of the area at 3m x 1.8m. Four areas of different soil texture were identified using trunk circumference measurements, visual assessment of the surface soil and aerial photographs to identify changes in vine growth. Soil pits were excavated at a later date to determine root numbers and record the soil texture in the different areas. Two crop treatments were imposed on half of the plots at approximately 50% veraison: unthinned crop and 50% crop. A shading treatment was also imposed at 50% veraison where three sets of tagged shoots had bunches that were exposed to sunlight, bunches that had some natural shading from leaves or bunches that had paper bags fastened over each to provide a completely shaded environment. Vine vegetative vigour for each plot was assessed during the growing season using the Point Quadrat method and at pruning using bud counts and pruning weights. Thirty berry samples were collected from the 32 plots and analysed weekly for soluble solids and berry weight. Harvest of bunches from the tagged shoots occurred on two different dates with the first harvest picked when fruit from one soil and crop treatment had reached 21 °Brix. The second picking took place just before the commercial harvest, which coincided with last soil and crop treatment reaching 21 °Brix. Bunches from each tagged shoot were weighed, frozen and later analysed for soluble solids, pH, organic acids, and methoxypyrazines. Vines on very stony textured soils had small trunk circumferences with a high root density and yield to pruning weight ratio compared to those growing on deep silt soils. Vines on deep silt soils had more vigorous canopies with large shoots and a higher leaf layer number. The target soluble solids was reached first by the vines on the very stony plots despite the higher crop load with soil texture appearing to be a dominant factor by influencing the time of flowering. Cluster shading decreased soluble solids, consistent with other studies, whilst crop thinning resulted in an earlier harvest. This was contrary to popular opinion that crop thinning at veraison would have no impact on sugar accumulation. pH and organic acids were unaffected by shading or bunch thinning. Vines growing on deep silt soils had a significantly higher level of total acidity and malic acid than those on the stony soils. At harvest, methoxypyrazine levels were very low compared to previously reported figures for Marlborough, which may have been a result of sample preparation. IBMP was significantly higher on deep silt soils, however, with no impact from the shading or crop treatment. The findings are consistent with the hypothesis that IBMP synthesis may be increased by the number of leaves surrounding bunches (Roujou de Boubee, 2003). The results suggest that soil texture plays a dominant role in influencing Sauvignon blanc flavour and aroma and due consideration should be given to vineyard layout and site selection prior to new plantings taking place.