Impact of Rootstock Selection and Cane Regulation on the Organoleptic Characteristics of Wine

An investigation was conducted to assess the impact of rootstock selection and cane regulation on the organoleptic characteristics of wine in the semi-arid region of Karnataka. The study was carried out during 2022-2024 at the Main Horticultural Research and Extension Centre, Bagalkot, using a split-split plot design with two rootstocks (R₁: Dogridge and R₂: 110 R), five grape varieties (V₁: Cabernet Sauvignon, V₂: Medica, V₃: Shiraz, V₄: Sauvignon Blanc and V₅: Chenin Blanc), and three cane regulation levels (C₁: control, C₂: 36 canes/vine and C₃: 24 canes/vine). Organoleptic properties, including appearance, aroma, taste, and overall acceptability, were evaluated using a 20-point hedonic scale over two years and pooled data. Results revealed significant differences among treatments. Rootstock R₂ consistently recorded higher scores across all organoleptic parameters, with pooled appearance and aroma scores of 17.90 and 18.16, respectively, compared to R₁. Among varieties, V₂ exhibited superior performance, with the highest pooled appearance (17.47) and aroma (17.31) scores, followed by V₃ and V₁. Cane regulation influenced appearance but had a non-significant effect on aroma, with C₃ recording the highest pooled scores for appearance (15.78) and aroma (16.13). Interaction effects were significant, with the combination R₂V₂C₃ achieving the highest scores for both appearance (20.68) and aroma (20.05). The findings demonstrate that rootstock 110 R, Medica variety, and a 24-cane regulation approach significantly enhance the sensory quality of wine in semi-arid conditions. These results emphasize the importance of integrating rootstock selection and cane regulation to optimize wine quality. The study provided valuable insights for viticultural practices in similar agro-climatic regions, contributing to sustainable and high-quality wine production systems.