During spontaneous food/beverage fermentations, the microbiota associated with the raw material has a considerable importance: this microbial consortium evolves in reason of the nutrient content and of the physical, chemical, and biological determinants present in the food matrix, shaping fermentation dynamics with significant impacts on the ‘qualities’ of final productions. The selection from the indigenous micro-biodiversity of ‘virtuous’ ecotypes that coupled pro-technological and biotechnological aptitudes provide the basis for the formulation of ‘tailored’ starter cultures. In the fermenting food and beverage arena, the wine sector is generally characterized by the generation of a high added value. Together with a pronounced seasonality, this feature strongly contributes to the selection of a large group of starter cultures. In the last years, several studies contributed to describe the complexity of grapevine-associated microbiota using both culture-dependent and culture-independent approaches. The grape-associated microbial communities continuously change during the wine-making process, with different dominances that correspond to the main biotechnological steps that take place in wine. In order to simplify, following a time trend, four major dominances can be mainly considered: non-Saccharomyces, Saccharomyces, lactic acid bacteria (LAB), and spoilage microbes. The first two dominances come in succession during the alcoholic fermentation: the impact of Saccharomyces (that are responsible of key enological step of ethanol production) can be complemented/integrated by the contributions of compatible non-Saccharomyces strains. Lactic acid bacteria constitute the malolactic consortium responsible of malolactic fermentation, a microbial bioconversion often desired in wine (especially in red wine production). Finally, the fourth dominance, the undesired microbiota, represents a panel of microorganisms that, coupling spoilage potential to the resistance to the harsh conditions typical of wine environment, can cause important economic losses. In each of these four dominances a complex microbial biodiversity has been described. The studies on the enological significance of the micro-biodiversity connected with each of the four dominances highlighted the presence of a dichotomy: in each consortia there are species/strains that, in reason of their metabolisms, are able to improve wine ‘qualities’ (resource of interest in starter cultures design), and species/strains that with their metabolism are responsible of depreciation of wine. Articles describing new oenological impacts of yeasts and bacteria belonging to the four main categories above mentioned (non-Saccharomyces, Saccharomycetes, lactic acid bacteria, and spoilage microbes) are welcome. Moreover, in this Research Topic, we encourage mini-review submissions on topics of immediate interest in wine microbiology that link microbial biodiversity with positive/negative effects in wine.

Wine is one of the oldest forms of alcoholic beverages known to man. Estimates date its origins back to 6000 B.C. Ever since, it has occupied a significant role in our lives, be it for consumption, social virtues, therapeutic value, its flavoring in foods, etc. A study of wine production and the technology of winemaking is thus imperative. The preparation of wine involves steps from harvesting the grapes, fermenting the must, maturing the wine, stabilizing it finally, to getting the bottled wine to consumers. The variety of cultivars, methods of production, and style of wine, along with presentation and consumption pattern add to the complexity of winemaking. In the past couple of decades, there have been major technological advances in wine production in the areas of cultivation of grapes, biochemistry and methods of production of different types of wines, usage of analytical techniques has enabled us to produce higher quality wine. The technological inputs of a table wine, dessert wine or sparkling wine, are different and has significance to the consumer. The role played by the killer yeast, recombinant DNA technology, application of enzyme technology and new analytical methods of wine evaluation, all call for a comprehensive review of the advances made. This comprehensive volume provides a holistic view of the basics and applied aspects of wine production and technology. The book comprises production steps, dotted with the latest trends or the innovations in the fields. It draws upon the expertise of leading researchers in the wine making worldwide.

With the advances in the field of molecular biology, new tools make it possible to conduct in-depth studies in food microbial communities from a molecular perspective. Information from genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolomic studies can be integrated through bioinformatic applications, thereby improving our understanding of the interactions between biotic and abiotic factors and concomitantly the physiology of starter cultures, spoilage and pathogenic microbiota. Improvements in the speed, accuracy and reliability of food quality and safety assessment have made the foundation stronger for future developments including the exploitation of gene networks and applications of nanotechnology and systems biology. This book reviews all these developments, provides an integrated view of the subject and helps in identifying areas of future development.

Molecular Wine Microbiology features rigorous scientific content written at a level comprehensible for wine professionals as well as advanced students. It includes information on production and spoilage issues, the microbial groups relevant for wine production and microbial wine safety. Microbiology has long been recognized as a key tool in studying wine production, however only recently have wine microbiology studies been addressed at a molecular level, increasing the understanding of how microbiology impacts not only the flavor quality of the wine, but also its safety. Understanding, at a molecular level, how a starter culture can impact ethanol, glycerol, volatile phenols, mannoproteins, biogenic amines or ochratoxin A of a wine are just some of the core points that must be considered in order to achieve maximium consumer acceptability while addressing safety concerns during processing and storage. While other books offer insights into the technological aspects of enology, this book is written by expert microbiologists, who explore the positive and negative impacts of gene function in the production of wine, from a microbiological point of view. - Winner of the 2012 Jury Award in Enology from the International Organisation of Vine and Wine - Presents the most current methods of studying the microbiology of wine - Includes latest identification and typing methods, reducing identification time from days and weeks to minutes and hours - Provides important knowledge about the impact of microbiological factors at the molecular level for reduction of wine spoilage and increased wine quality and safety

The second edition of the book begins with the description of the diversity of wine-related microorganisms, followed by an outline of their primary and energy metabolism. Subsequently, important aspects of the secondary metabolism are dealt with, since these activities have an impact on wine quality and off-flavour formation. Then chapters about stimulating and inhibitory growth factors follow. This knowledge is helpful for the growth management of different microbial species. The next chapters focus on the application of the consolidated findings of molecular biology and regulation the functioning of regulatory cellular networks, leading to a better understanding of the phenotypic behaviour of the microbes in general and especially of the starter cultures as well as of stimulatory and inhibitory cell-cell interactions during wine making. In the last part of the book, a compilation of modern methods complete the understanding of microbial processes during the conversion of must to wine.This broad range of topics about the biology of the microbes involved in the vinification process could be provided in one book only because of the input of many experts from different wine-growing countries.

Advances in Grape and Wine Biotechnology is a collection of fifteen chapters that addresses different issues related to the technological and biotechnological management of vineyards and winemaking. It focuses on recent advances in the field of viticulture with interesting topics such as the development of a microvine model for research purposes, the mechanisms of cultivar adaptation and evolution in a climate change scenario, and the consequences of vine water deficit on yield components. Other topics include the metabolic profiling of different Saccharomyces and non-Saccharomyces yeast species and their contribution in modulating the sensory quality of wines produced in warm regions, the use of new natural and sustainable fining agents, and available physical methods to reduce alcohol content. This volume will be of great interest to researchers and vine or wine professionals.

From the beginning of this century, non-Saccharomyces yeasts have taken increased relevance in wine processing. Several biotechnological companies now produce non-Saccharomyces yeasts at an industrial level to improve aroma or flavor, stabilize wine, produce biological acidification, or conversely metabolize malic acid. Species like Torulaspora delbrueckii, Metschnikowia pulcherrima, Kloeckera apiculata, Lachancea thermotolerans, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, and several others are common due to the technological applications they have in sensory quality but also in wine ageing and stabilization. Moreover, spoilage non-Saccharomyces yeasts like Brettanomyces bruxellensis, Saccharomycodes ludwigii, and Zygosacharomyces bailii are becoming important because of the alterations they are able to produce in high-quality wines. New strategies to control these defective yeasts have been developed to control them without affecting sensory quality. The knowledge of the physiology, ecology, biochemistry, and metabolomics of these yeasts can help to better use them in controlling traditional problems such as low fermentative power, excessive volatile acidity, low implantation under enological conditions, and sensibility to antimicrobial compounds like sulfites traditionally used in wine processing. This Special Issue intends to compile current research and revised information on non-Saccharomyces yeasts with enological applications to facilitate the use and the understanding of this biotechnological tool. In 1 year this SI has globally more than 15kdownloads and produced more than 30 citations.

White Wine Technology addresses the challenges surrounding white wine production. The book explores emerging trends in modern enology, including molecular tools for wine quality and analysis of modern approaches to maceration extraction, alternative microorganisms for alcoholic fermentation, and malolactic fermentation. The book focuses on the technology and biotechnology of white wines, providing a quick reference of novel ways to increase and improve overall wine production and innovation. Its reviews of recent studies and technological advancements to improve grape maturity and production and ways to control PH level make this book essential to wine producers, researchers, practitioners, technologists and students. - Covers trends in in both traditional and modern enology technologies, including extraction, processing, stabilization and ageing technologies - Examines the potential impacts of climate change on wine quality - Provides an overview of biotechnologies to improve wine freshness in warm areas and to manage maturity in cold climates - Includes detailed information on hot topics such as the use of GMOs in wine production, spoilage bacteria, the management of oxidation, and the production of dealcoholized wines

Wine yeast and bacteria have been extensively characterized in terms of physiological and metabolic traits largely in pure culture analyses. Winemaking practices derived from this basic knowledge have undoubtedly improved wine quality. Phylogenetic studies and genome comparisons in extensive collections have revealed the processes of evolution and adaptation of the two main microbial species, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Oenococcus oeni, present in wine. However, grapes and grape juice contain a variety of microorganisms and these principal agents of fermentation are in fact part of a complex microbial community that evolves dynamically in a special niche. Thanks to the new methods of analysis, the complexity of the microbiota can be measured in any sample of must or wine. In addition, there is greater appreciation of diversity within the main species present in wine. Intraspecific diversity has been evaluated in yeast and bacteria species and strains can be typed even in the mixture of selected or indigenous strains. Descriptions of microbial profiles in all the regions of the world suggest that the microbiota is a significant element of terroir or regional signature. It is no longer enough to simply describe what is present. It is important to consider evolution, physiology and metabolism taking into account microbial interactions within the community. Research in wine microbiology has also expanded our understanding of the participation and role of non-Saccharomyces organisms in winemaking, and refined knowledge on microbial spoilage. However, it is challenging to go from the simple description of these phenomena to their interpretation. The greatest difficulty lies in analyzing the functioning of the extraordinary complex system of yeast and bacteria present during different stages of the fermentation. Interactions in the very particular environment of fermenting grape induce alternations of relative populations’ dominances and declines with subsequent impacts on wine composition. Some mechanisms have been identified or suggested, but much remains to be done. The recent advent of inoculation with non-Saccharomyces in oenological practice, sometimes leading to inconstant results, reflects the profound gaps that exist in knowledge of the complexity of fermentation and wine microbial ecosystems. Understanding how the microbial community works is expected to provide a sound basis before using fermentation helpers and starters, taking into account the indigenous microbiota. It will also aid in monitoring and understanding native or uninoculated fermentations that rely on the complex interactions of grape, winery and fermentation biota for their aroma and flavor profile. The aim of this Research Topic was to bring together current knowledge on several key aspects of wine microorganism biology: i) Evolution / co-evolution of yeasts and bacteria in their process of domestication and adaptation to the oenological niche. ii) Mechanisms of interactions between species and strains, both on grapes and in grape must. iii) Metabolism and physiology of yeast and bacteria in interactions with each other and with the environment, considering to what extent expected objectives (typicity, lower alcohol, etc.,) can be reached by using selected strains. iv) Development of novel technologies or approaches for the assessment of changes in a dynamic microbial community and the linking of such changes to wine flavor and aroma properties. v) Diversity, ecology, physiology and metabolism of B. bruxellensis. Damage from this spoilage agent is not effectively prevented because we do not fully understand the biology of this species, particularly in interaction with other yeast and bacteria. Each chapter presents advances in these areas of study. Research in wine microbiology, particularly in the wine microbiome and its impacts on wine composition is enhancing our understanding of the complexities and dynamics of microbial food and beverage ecosystems.