Sustainable Approach to Vine Fertilisation: Impact of the Use of Wine Industry Waste, Compost and Vermicompost, on the Analytical and Volatile Composition of Wines

Abstract

This study examined how different fertilisation strategies (mineral, compost, vermicompost and non-fertilised control) influence vine nutrient status, must composition and wine chemical characteristics over two consecutive seasons (2024–2025) in two semi-arid Mediterranean vineyards, one deficit-irrigated and other rainfed. Compost and vermicompost were produced from winery residues, in line with a circular management approach. Organic fertilisation improved vine nitrogen and potassium levels, particularly at veraison, with cumulative effects observed over time. Musts from fertilised vines (mineral, compost and vermicompost) exhibited higher levels of yeast-assimilable nitrogen (YAN) and pH, as well as lower titratable acidity, compared to the control group (without fertilization). Wines obtained from these treatments exhibited higher ethanol content and modified acidity parameters, with compositional changes being more evident in the rainfed vineyard. Analysis of volatile compounds revealed that organic fertilisers, particularly vermicompost, promoted the formation of esters, higher alcohols, and terpenes linked to grape metabolism and fermentation. These results demonstrate that organic amendments derived from winery waste can serve as efficient nutrient sources, thereby enhancing the nutritional balance of vines and the composition of wines, while also promoting sustainable and circular practices in viticulture.