Technical Yearbook 2024

JUNE

SHUTTERSTOCK

What is a ‘microbiome’, and how does it relate to wine? By Karien O’Kennedy

Have you ever wondered what gives your favourite bottle of wine its distinct character? Part of the answer lies in a world invisible to the naked eye, but crucially helping to shape the taste and quality of wines: the microbiome. But hold on, what exactly is a microbiome? The terms ‘microbiome’ and ‘microbiota’ are often used interchangeably, but they actually refer to different aspects of microbial communities within a particular environment, such as the human body or vineyard soil. Microbiota refers to the collection of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, yeasts and viruses inhabiting a specific ecological niche. It focuses on the organisms themselves rather than their genetic material. On the other hand, microbiome refers to the collective genetic material of all microorganisms present in a particular environment. It encompasses not only the microorganisms

themselves, but also their genes and their interactions with each other in their host environment. The microbiome provides a more holistic view of microbial communities, incorporating their genetic diversity and ecological functions. Microbiomics, the newest kid on the microbiology block, is the science of collectively characterising and quantifying molecules responsible for a microbial community’s structure, function and dynamics. 1 Microbiomics employs multiple techniques, including high-throughput sequencing, bioinformatics, and systems biology approaches, to investigate microbial communities and their interactions with their hosts and environments. The field has broad applications in human health, agriculture, environmental science, biotechnology, and beyond, with implications for understanding disease mechanisms and ecosystem dynamics and developing novel therapies and interventions. Now, how does this relate to wine? The vineyard microbiome plays a crucial role in shaping the unique characteristics of wines. 2 The microbiome of the vineyard soil, grapevine and grapes influences the health

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TECHNICAL YEARBOOK 2024