Phenotypical plasticity and behavior of malbec, merlot and pinot noir grape berry colour in response to climate change

Abstract

Researchers investigated the effect of high temperatures in a climate change context on anthocyanin concentration and composition, pH and solids content in berries of Malbec, Merlot and Pinot Noir during fruit ripening in two seasons.A cultivar-dependent response to high temperatures conditions was observed, with Malbec and Pinot Noir berries exhibiting significant decreases in total anthocyanin concentration at veraison and harvest, respectively, while Merlot maintained an unaffected pigment content.Results suggest high plasticity in response to climate change for colour attributes in Merlot, moderate plasticity for Malbec, and low plasticity for Pinot Noir.