This group of organic compounds are the basic building blocks for animal and plant proteins and elementary components of enzymes, glutamines and vitamins, and there are around 100 different forms, around 20 of which are also contained in grape must. During the fermentation process in winemaking, the yeasts need certain amino acids to supply nitrogen for their metabolism and extract them from the grape must.
If the soil is sufficiently supplied with nitrogen, the must also contains a sufficient amount of amino acids (about 1 to 4 g/l). The nitrogen content in the grapes is negatively influenced by botrytis (damage to the berry skin and thus leaching of nitrogen compounds), lack of water, insufficient absorption of nitrogen via the roots and soil cover crop (competition for elementary nutrients).
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Markus J. Eser
Weinakademiker und Herausgeber „Der Weinkalender“