Under natural conditions, a complex and dynamic microbial ecosystem exists on the grape epidermis, which plays an important role in safeguarding grape health and facilitating the conversion of grapes into wine. However, current viticulture and vinification are flooded with excessive chemical additives and commercial ferments, leading to a reduction in microbial diversity, affecting the ecological balance of the natural microbiota and masking the wine terroir. This experiment comprehensively explored the continuous changes in the natural microbiota from the Ecolly (Vitis vinifera L.) grape epidermis to spontaneous fermentation over two years. The results suggested that microbial community structure and composition were significantly influenced by vintage and growing stage, with fungal genera being more stable than bacterial genera during the growing season. The fungal genera Alternaria, Ascochyta, Gibberella and Dissoconium and the bacterial genera Pantoea, Sediminibacterium, Ralstonia and Sphingomonas were mainly present on the grape epidermis in both years. The natural microbial diversity decreased from grape growth to spontaneous fermentation, and the fermentation environment reshapes the community structure, composition and diversity of the wine microbial consortium. These findings provide insights to promote cultivation and fermentation management strategies, advocate natural terroir attributes for grapes and wines, and promote sustainable development of the wine industry.

Terpene glycosides (TGs) in the berry skins of Ecolly and Cabernet Gernischet (CG) grapes were profiled by ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) and compared to that of Muscat Hamburg (MH) grapes. The aroma glycosides in grape skins were extracted by methanol, purified using Amberlite XAD-2 resins, eluted in methanol/ethyl acetate, and analyzed by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS. MS/MS fragmentation and the TG database were used for identification, while semiquantification was achieved by the internal standard, octyl-β-D-glucopyranoside. Seven, nine, and thirteen TGs were identified in Ecolly, CG, and MH, respectively, whereas only four TGs were detected in all the varieties. Compared to MH, linalool-3-O-α-L-arabinofuranosyl-β-D-glucopyranoside was unique for Ecolly, and pyran linalool oxide-α-L-arabinofuranosyl-β-D-glucopyranoside was unique for CG. Furthermore, the total concentrations of TGs were 7.32, 3.50, and 81.27 mg/kg in Ecolly, CG, and MH, respectively. Diendiol I-α-D-apiofuranosyl-β-D-glucopyranoside, furanosyl-linalool oxide-7-O-α-L-arabinofuranosyl-β-D-glucopyranoside, and nerol-l-O-α-D-apiofuranosyl-β-D-glucopyranoside were most abundant in Ecolly, CG, and MH, respectively. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Terpene glycosides (TGs) are important aroma precursors for wines and it is meaningful to reveal the profiles of TGs in grapes. By analyzing the differences of TGs among the Ecolly, Cabernet Gernischet (CG), and Muscat Hamburg grape varieties, it is expected to provide guidance for the study on the aroma characteristics and aroma enhancing brewing of Ecolly and CG grapes. The results may provide technical experience on aroma glycoside identification and their quantification in grapes and wines for future studies.