Relationship between nitrogen content in grapes and volatiles, namely heavy sulphur compounds, in wines

► We show that nitrogen requirements of yeast varied according to the grape cultivar. ► Yeast nitrogen requirements were also influenced by total nitrogen content of media. ► The higher alcohol content of wines depends on the initial nitrogen content of musts. ► The sulphur content of wines depends on the initial nitrogen content of grape musts. ► Wines from musts with low nitrogen content showed low sulphur compound levels.