In this study, the effects of different rootstocks (including cultivars) on the quality and sensory properties of Shine Muscat grapes were investigated with own-rooted vines as control. Compared to the own-rooted vines, berry weight, TSS/TA and phenolic profiles were altered by the rootstocks to varying extents. The rootstocks widely altered the amounts of aroma components. Berries on 'Yuanyu' (YY), 'Bixiang Seedless' (BS), 'Couderc 3309' (3309C), 'Summer Black' (SB) and 'Queen Nina' (QN) significantly increased total aroma amount to the control berries, while 'Zaoxiaxiang' (ZX) imparted slight effects on the total aroma amount. Besides, the rootstock QN and 3309C markedly upregulated the VvLoXA, VvADH1 and VvADH2 expression levels, compared to the own-rooted grapevines, the berries observably upregulated seven genes from the MEP pathway in the grafted vines on SB and 3309C. In addition, the rootstock ZX, and 'Kober 5BB' (5BB) significantly increased the VvGT7 expression levels, the berries on YY significantly enhanced the expression of VvGT14. In summary, we found that the rootstock 3309C, QN and SB provided berries of better quality and richer aroma volatiles to SM berries, and the berries on QN (V. vinifera × V. labrusca varieties) had the largest total aroma amount and berry weight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]