Dominance of S. cerevisiae Commercial Starter Strains during Greco di Tufo and Aglianico Wine Fermentations and Evaluation of Oenological Performances of Some Indigenous/Residential Strains

In order to evaluate dominance/implantation of starter cultures for wine fermentation, both commercial starters and wild strains were monitored during the fermentation of Greco di Tufo (GR) and Aglianico of Taurasi (AGL) musts. Preliminary characterization of commercial strains was carried out by several molecular markers. Five fermentations—four starter-inoculated and one spontaneous—were carried out in duplicates by using grapes from GR and AGL. Trials were monitored, and yeast cultures were isolated within the dominant microflora. Comparison of Interdelta patterns allowed to assess the real occurrence of both starters and indigenous strains. A high genetic diversity within S. cerevisiae strains was detected. In starter-led fermentations (except for few cases), in addition to the starter strains, indigenous S. cerevisiae biotypes were found, as well. Native strains isolated from replicates of the same fermentation showed different genetic profiles. Spontaneous fermentations were conducted, during the first 5 days, by non-Saccharomyces yeasts and, afterwards, by a high number (16 in the AGL and 20 in the GR) of S. cerevisiae biotypes. Indigenous biotypes isolated by GR revealed a high variability in oenological features and, in several cases, showed better performances than those recorded for commercial strains. The study further highlighted the low dominance of some commercial starter cultures. Moreover, autochthonous yeast strains proved to be sometimes more aggressive in terms of fermentation vigor in GR must, likely because better adapted to ecological and technological conditions occurring during winemaking. Finally, the use of such strains for production of autochthonous “pied de cuve” may be a useful strategy for lowering production cost of winemaking.