Wine Aging Research Articles

Investigation of Xinomavro Red Wine Aging with Various Wood Chips Using Pulsed Electric Field

This study explored the potential of pulsed electric field (PEF) as an alternative wine-aging method in four Xinomavro red wines with the implementation of several wood chips (apricot, peach, apple, cherry, acacia, and oak trees). The evolution of total polyphenol content (TPC) and sensory properties of the wines were investigated. Sensory evaluation revealed that PEF treatment increased volatile compound extraction from each wood chip, thereby enhancing the overall quality of the wines. The utilization of acacia tree wood chips in Goumenissa wine led to a notable increase of 10.84% in TPC from the control sample, reaching 2334.74 mg gallic acid equivalents/L. A notable outcome was that PEF decreased TPC, a trend that was also verified through correlation analyses. The highest positive impact of PEF was observed in peach tree wood chips in Goumenissa wine, with a significant increase of 11.05% in TPC. The results from the volatile compound analysis revealed an increase in alcohols and esters from 0.24% to 23.82%, with the highest proportion found in 2-phenylethanol (16.92 mg/L) when utilizing peach tree wood chips in the production of Amyndeo wine. This study could provide a benchmark for rapid, efficient, and cost-effective wine aging through the implementation of the PEF process.

Analysis of targeted phenolic ageing markers in Syrah red wines during bottle ageing: Influence of cork oxygen transfer rate

A Syrah red wine ageing experiment was set up during 24-months and the influence of four micro-agglomerated corks were investigated. Specific phenolic ageing markers were selected and hemi-synthesized: vitisin B, malvidin-ethyl-catechin, and epicatechin-sulfonate. A targeted quantification method of these markers was then developed and validated by using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography - triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QqQ-MS) operating in MRM (Multiple Reaction Monitoring). Results showed a significant decline in native grape polyphenol levels (anthocyanins, flavanols) as ageing progresses while pyranoanthocyanins, ethyl-linked pigments, and flavanol-sulfonates content increased. The cork oxygen transfer rate emerged as a pivotal factor and had significant effects on polyphenolic concentration evolution but had no significant impact on flavanol-sulfonate formation. These results provide valuable insights into the chemical evolution ongoing during wine ageing, accentuating the pivotal role of cork stopper selection in preserving wine quality over time.

Study of oxygen in wines with different proportions of yeast lees

The lees produced during fermentation are known for their ability to consume oxygen. During wine aging, it has a positive effect on the antioxidant and sensory properties of wine. This study focuses on the effects of different doses of fermentation lees on the oxygen consumption and antioxidant activity of wine, which are important for the quality of the final product as well as consumer. The effect on oxygen consumption after bottling, antioxidant activity and phenolic composition was studied for wines of the variety Grüner Veltliner with different proportions of yeast lees. The rate of dissolved oxygen consumption increased with increasing dosages of fermentation lees. The first significant decrease was observed as early as the second day after bottling for all variants above 20 g of fermentation lees in 0.75 L of wine. Total polyphenol content and antioxidant activity also increased with the dose of yeast lees. The major negative parameter for the highest addition of lees was the concentration of volatile acids, which increased from a baseline value of 0.34 g L–1 to 0.45 g L–1.

Region of interest selection in heterogeneous digital image: Wine age prediction by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography

This study integrates genetic algorithm (GA) with partial least squares regression (PLSR) and various variable selection methods to identify impactful regions of interest (ROI) in heterogeneous 2D chromatogram images for predicting wine age. As wine quality and aroma evolve over time, transitioning from youthful fruitiness to mature, complex flavors, which leads to alterations in the composition of essential aroma-contributing compounds. Chromatograms are segmented into subimages, and the GA-PLSR algorithm optimizes combinations based on grayscale, red-green-blue (RGB), and hue-saturation-value (HSV) histograms. The selected subimage histograms are further refined through interval selection, highlighting the compounds with the most significant influence on wine aging. Experimental validation involving 38 wine samples demonstrates the effectiveness of this approach. Cross-validation reduces the PLS model error from 2.8 to 2.4 years within a 10 × 10 subset, and during prediction, the error decreases from 2.5 to 2.3 years. The study presents a novel approach utilizing the selection of ROI for efficient processing of 2D chromatograms focusing on predicting wine age.

Aroma Profile of Merlot Red Wine Stored in Stainless-Steel Tanks and Wooden Barrels with Different Toasting Methods.

Stainless-steel tanks and wooden barrels are the most common wine ageing and storage vessels. Wooden barrels are often toasted to improve their chemical composition and influence on wine. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in Merlot red wine aroma from the 2020 and 2021 vintages during 12-month storage (with sampling every 3 months) in a stainless-steel tank (SST), Excellence oak barrels with medium (EMT), medium plus (EMT+) and medium long (EMLT) toasting and a Premium oak barrel with medium toasting (PMT). The results showed that even slight differences in the time and temperature of medium toasting influenced the extraction of aroma compounds from wood to wine. The changes in individual aroma compounds depended on the vessel type, toasting level, initial wine composition and storage time. An increase in the total concentration of compounds with smoky, spicy and woody notes occurred in both wine vintages stored in wooden barrels, especially during longer storage. In samples from SST, floral, fruity and herbal aromas were more pronounced, according to the gas chromatography and sensory evaluators. Sensory evaluators rated the samples according to the 100-point test, and after 12 months of storage, 2020 and 2021 vintage Merlot stored in PMT obtained the highest points.

The protective effect of cyclodextrin on the color quality and stability of Cabernet Sauvignon red wine

The impact of cyclodextrins (CDs) on wine quality and stability remains largely unknown. This study systematically assessed the protective effect of the post-fermentation addition of CDs on color stability of red wine from the viewpoints of color characteristics, copigmentation and phenolic profiles. The grey relational analysis (GRA) and principal component analysis (PCA) methods were employed to dissect the key effective determinants related to color quality. The addition of CDs induced a significant hyperchromic effect of 8.19–25.40%, a significant bathochromic effect and an enhancement of the color intensity. Furthermore, the evolution of anthocyanin forms and the content of monomeric anthocyanins revealed that β-CD is a superior favorable cofactor during wine aging, but for long-term aging, 2-HP-β-CD and 2-HP-γ-CD are more beneficial in promoting the formation of polymerized anthocyanins and color stability. This work provides an important reference for the use of CDs to enhance the color quality and stability of red wines.

Ethyl Carbamate in Fermented Food Products: Sources of Appearance, Hazards and Methods for Reducing Its Content.

Ethyl carbamate, the ethyl ester of carbamic acid, has been identified in fermented foods and alcoholic beverages. Since ethyl carbamate is a probable human carcinogen, reduction of its content is important for food safety and human health. In alcoholic beverages, ethyl carbamate is mostly formed from the reaction of ethanol with urea, citrulline and carbamyl phosphate during fermentation and storage. These precursors are generated from arginine metabolism by wine yeasts and lactic acid bacteria. This review summarizes the mechanisms of ethyl carbamate formation, its impact on human health and methods used in winemaking to minimize its content. These approaches include genetic modification of Saccharomyces cerevisiae wine strains targeting pathways of arginine transport and metabolism, the use of lactic acid bacteria to consume arginine, direct degradation of ethyl carbamate by enzymes and microorganisms, and different technological methods of grape cultivation, alcoholic fermentation, wine aging, temperature and duration of storage and transportation.

Effects of sediment and temperature on the long-term aging process of rice wine: Microbial and metabolic insights

Rice wine is low in alcohol content (6 %), rich in nutrients, and contains live microorganisms; therefore, it is generally produced without an aging process during manufacturing. In this study, we investigated the microbial and metabolic changes that occur during the long-term aging of undiluted rice wine with different amount of sediment and aging temperatures. Rice wine samples with higher amounts of sediment had higher yeast counts and alcohol content, indicating a crucial role of sediment in providing nutrients for yeast survival during aging. Furthermore, the rice wine samples that were aged at 12 °C exhibited a notable increase in the relative abundance of Lactobacillus after 100 days of aging. Metabolic profiling revealed that the production of metabolites during rice wine aging was greatly influenced by the amount of sediment and aging temperature, with most metabolites showing a strong correlation with these factors. This study provides valuable insights into the impact of sediment and temperature on the microbial and metabolic changes that occur during the long-term aging of rice wine.

Cu fractions in Shiraz and Pinot Noir wines during bottle aging: rates of changes and capacity for conversion

The Cu fraction in wine associated with Cu(II)-organic acid complexes can suppress detrimental aromas attributed to hydrogen sulfide and methanethiol. However, the long-term stability of this Cu fraction (known as Cu fraction I) during bottle aging of red wine is not well understood. This study utilised Pinot Noir and Shiraz wines containing 0.43 ± 0.01 and 0.56 ± 0.02 mg/L respectively of total Cu, to which 0, 0.3 or 0.6 mg/L Cu(II) was further added immediately before bottling. The bottles were then stored at 14 °C for 1 yr. Cu fraction I concentrations were measured using two independent methods: i) stripping potentiometry, and ii) ICP-OES analysis of filtrate after diatomaceous earth depth filtration. Within the first 6 months of storage, Cu fraction I was found to decrease in all wines. Using stripping potentiometry, the first-order decay rates were found to be 0.012 ± 0.001 day-1 and 0.010 ± 0.001 day-1 for Pinot Noir and Shiraz respectively, corresponding to half-lives of 55 ± 4 and 67 ± 9 days. The decay rates for Shiraz versus Pinot Noir were similar for wines with different Cu addition rates, or when rates were determined using the different analysis techniques. Both wines had a high capacity for conversion of Cu fraction I to Cu fraction III during the 1-yr storage period, with 0.4-0.8 mg/L Cu forming Cu fraction III in the Pinot Noir, and 0.3-0.6 mg/L in the Shiraz. These conversion capacity ranges are higher than the typical Cu(II) additions made to wine during production. Overall, the results show that red wine has a large capacity for enabling the sulfide-binding of Cu-organic acid complexes during bottle aging and the conversion occurs at a relatively uniform rate with the concentration halving approximately every 2 months.

Blueberry Wine Aging: Influence of Bottle Storage Time on Color, Anthocyanin Monomers, and Antioxidant Activity

In this paper, the influence of bottle storage time on different blueberry wines has been studied. Four blueberry wines with different fruit weight/sugar solution volume ratios and different fermentation times were stored. The storage was conducted for 12 months in darkness and at a constant temperature of 4°C. All the wines showed a similar behavior during the 12-month study period. The concentration of anthocyanins decreased significantly after the storage period. Wines obtained through partial fermentation showed a low concentration of anthocyanin monomers, and in the case of wines from total fermentation, no anthocyanin monomers could be identified. However, the wines at 12 months of storage exhibited a significant contribution to red color. The color intensity experienced a sharp decrease from 0 to 4 months, remaining unchanged until 12 months. Moreover, antioxidant activity increased during the storage process from 0 to 4 months and then remained relatively stable up to 12 months.

Aromatized Wine-Type Beverages with Added Byproducts of Essential Rose Oil Industry

The aroma bouquet of wine depends mainly on grape (variety, crop, climate, location, and so on), yeasts/microorganisms, and wine aging. Additionally, the wine flavor can be modulated by adding herbs, extracts, byproducts, and so on. The aim of the present study was to characterize aromatized wine-type beverages (AWTBs) prepared by supplementation with rose oil industry byproducts (ROIBs). Three approaches were employed: 1. dried ROIBs were added to the grape must, followed by fermentation with Saccharomyces cerevisiae (ARW_CoF); 2. dried ROIBs were added to preliminarily prepared rosé (ARW_M); 3. 70% (v/v) ethanolic extracts of ROIBs were added to preliminarily prepared rosé (ARW_E). The polyphenol content in the modified beverages increased significantly from 230.00 ± 5.21 (control) to 296.13 ± 3.57 (ARW_M_100), 295.50 ± 3.78 (ARW_CoF_100), and 293.73 ± 4.29 (ARW_E_400) µmol GAE/L. The addition of ROIBs did not alter the formation of higher alcohols, since their contents in the AWTBs and the control were below 65 mg/L. The amount of phenethyl alcohol increased significantly from 1.07 ± 0.15 mg/L to 4.08 ± 0.30, 4.96 ± 0.24, and 5.77 ± 0.28 mg/L in the ARW_E_400, ARW_M_100, and ARW_CoF_100, respectively. The sensory evaluation revealed a preference for AWTBs from the ARW_CoF series. The results suggested that rose byproducts could be successfully utilized for the preparation of new AWTBs enriched with phenolic antioxidants, while exhibiting a distinctive and pleasant rose aroma.

Comparison of volatile compounds during biological ageing and commercial storage of Cava (Spanish sparkling wine): The role of lees

Cava is a sparkling wine produced using a traditional method that must be aged in contact with lees for a minimum period of nine months. The contact between wine and lees improves the quality of the final product, and aroma is one of the most important qualitative parameters of a wine. The aim of the work was to study the role of lees in the ageing of Spanish sparkling wine (Cava), by sampling at industrial scale the bottles, from 9 to 30 months of ageing, jointly with the winery and in real time. The volatile profile of Cava during biological ageing and commercial storage, after disgorging, was evaluated by Headspace-Solid Phase Microextraction coupled to gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. More than 60 compounds were identified from several chemical classes including esters, alcohols, terpenes, furans, norisoprenoids, and fatty acids. A reduction in volatile components was observed when the disgorging step took place. When the behaviour of aroma over time was assessed, the principal factor that discriminated between samples was the type of ageing i.e. with or without lees. Evaluation of volatiles over time revealed that furans showed a significant relationship with ageing, indicating that some components of this family could be possible markers of ageing.

Effect of chitosan addition on acetaldehyde and polymeric pigments production after oxidation of red wines with different tannin/anthocyanins ratio

In order to evaluate the effect of the application of chitosan to red wines with different initial composition, four wines showing tannins/anthocyanins ratio (T/A) ranging from 0.15 to 2.44 were treated with this amino polysaccharide. As one of the main factors involved in red wine ageing is the oxidation, even a forced oxidation test was applied on all the samples. The addition of chitosan determined a decrease in total phenolic compounds mainly due to the adsorption of protein-reactive tannins which decreased from 10 to 50% of the initial value. The previous addition of chitosan determined a lower production of acetaldehyde after oxidation confirming the antioxidant activity of this amino polysaccharide. The production of acetaldehyde was lower in samples with a higher T/A ratio probably due to the involvement of acetaldehyde in reactions with flavanols and anthocyanins giving polymeric pigments. These results suggest a possible use of chitosan in red wine with a higher T/A ratio to decrease the content of tannins reactive towards proteins and, contemporary, to act as antioxidant.

Management of in-Amphora "Trebbiano Toscano" Wine Production: Selection of Indigenous Saccharomyces cerevisiae Strains and Influence on the Phenolic and Sensory Profile.

The use of earthenware amphorae in winemaking can give wines unique attributes enhancing their typicity. Therefore, in this study, spontaneous and inoculated in-amphora fermentations of Trebbiano Toscano grape must were monitored to assess the Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains occurring in each fermentation as well as the chemical characteristics of the wines. Strain typing via Interdelta analyses pointed out that the commercial starters did not dominate, showing 24% and 13% implantation percentages, and that 20 indigenous strains were present at different percentages, ranging from 2 to 20%, in inoculated and spontaneous fermentations. The assessment of the technical characteristics of the indigenous strains via fermentations at lab and pilot scale (20 L amphorae) and the sensory analysis of the experimental wines allowed for the selection of two indigenous strains to be used as starter cultures in comparison to a commercial strain in 300-L-amphorae vinifications in the cellar. The observed fermentative performances and sensory analysis of the experimental wines highlighted that one indigenous S. cerevisiae strain dominated the process and conferred distinctive sensory characteristics to the Trebbiano Toscano wine, demonstrating its effectiveness in managing the in-amphora fermentations. In addition, the results demonstrated the ability of amphorae to protect the polyphenolic compounds from oxidation during wine ageing. Indeed, the concentration of both hydroxycinnamic acids and flavonols decreased, with an average reduction of 30% and 14%, respectively, while hydroxybenzoic acids remained unchanged.

Investigation of molecular changes in wine during storage in refrigerated cabinets

Investigation of molecular changes in wine during storage in refrigerated cabinets

Optimization and Validation of a Method to Determine Enolones and Vanillin Derivatives in Wines-Occurrence in Spanish Red Wines and Mistelles.

Understanding the chemical nature of wine aroma demands accurate quantitative determinations of different odor-active compounds. Quantitative determinations of enolones (maltol, furaneol, homofuraneol, and sotolon) and vanillin derivatives (vanillin, methyl vanillate, ethyl vanillate, and acetovanillone) at low concentrations are complicated due to their high polarity. For this reason, this paper presents an improved and automated version for the accurate measure of these common trace wine polar compounds (enolones and vanillin derivatives). As a result, a faster and more user-friendly method with a reduction of organic solvents and resins was developed and validated. The optimization of some stages of the solid phase extraction (SPE) process, such as washing with an aqueous solution containing 1% NaHCO3 at pH 8, led to cleaner extracts and solved interference problems. Due to the polarity of these type of compounds, an optimization of the large volume injection was also carried out. Finally, a programmable temperature vaporization (PTV) quartz glass inlet liner without wool was used. The injector temperature was raised to 300 °C in addition to applying a pressure pulse of 180 kPa for 4 min. Matrix effects were solved by the use of adequate internal standards, such as ethyl maltol and 3',4'-(methylenedioxy)acetophenone. Method figures of merit were highly satisfactory: good linearity (r2 > 0.98), precision (relative standard deviation, RSD < 10%), high recovery (RSD > 89%), and low detection limits (<0.7 μg/L). Enolones and vanillin derivatives are associated with wine aging. For this reason, the methodology was successfully applied to the quantification of these compounds in 16 Spanish red wines and 12 mistelles. Odor activity values (OAV) indicate that furaneol should be considered an aroma impact odorant in red wines and mistelles (OAV > 1) while homofuraneol and sotolon could also produce changes in their aroma perceptions (0.1 < OAV < 1).

Continuous automated microbial monitoring in laboratory-scale winemaking experiments

The management of microbial flora is a key element of the winemaking process. It impacts process time, fermentation quality (e.g., production of alcohol, development of aroma compounds, absence of undesirable microorganisms) and the overall quality of the final wine product. In microbial flora management, real-time microbial monitoring is crucial. When applying currently used classical methods (e.g., cultivation on plates) or more recent technologies (e.g., flow cytometry), the flora sampling frequency is not optimal and taking around-the-clock measurements involves high labour costs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of automated microbial monitoring based on an online flow cytometry system for different laboratory-scale applications in the field of winemaking. Initially, a protocol for automated sampling, double-staining and analysis was validated on yeast and bacterial populations after rehydration of the starter cultures. The system was then tested on a variety of increasingly complex biological systems, simulating its applications in the winemaking process. First, a yeast starter culture preparation for “prise de mousse” was tested. Then, a mixed-culture alcoholic fermentation was monitored. Finally, a microbial-focused observation of wine aging was emulated. By overcoming specific constraints linked to the must medium (e.g., sugars, alcohol contents, production of gas, fermentation duration), the results show the potential of this technology for (1) automated yeast or bacterial monitoring in a wide range of laboratory-scale wine environments, (2) simultaneous monitoring of both total and intact populations of multiple microorganisms, (3) long observation periods, and (4) high sampling frequencies for high-resolution data. It could be particularly useful for facilitating and improving control of potential contaminants or stuck fermentations, as well as better piloting starter preparations, alcoholic fermentations, or malolactic fermentations.

Effects of high power pulsed microwave on the enhanced color and flavor of aged blueberry wine.

A new method of high-power pulsed microwave (HPPM) was applied to accelerate the aging of blueberry wine. The color changes of blueberry wines during aging were investigated through Chemical Wine Age and CIE-LAB measurement. Results showed that the blueberry wines treated by HPPM at low frequencies (50 and 100Hz) exhibited improved color characteristics with L* value reaching 47.04 at 100Hz, an increased maturity of wine body, and a shortened chemical wine age from 90 days to 75 days. Moreover, the aroma changes determined by GC-MS showed that HPPM accelerated the formation of esters in blueberry wine, which were increased by 18.44% and 56.97% respectively under the conditions of 50 and 150Hz. The formation of acid substances was reduced compared with the original wine, with contents of acetic acid, caproic acid, and octanoic acid of 29.46µg/mL, 15.60µg/mL, 17.74µg/mL, respectively, displaying an enhanced wine flavor.

Influence of Oak Species, Toasting Degree, and Aging Time on the Differentiation of Brandies Using a Chemometrics Approach Based on Phenolic Compound UHPLC Fingerprints.

Oak wood is the main material used by coopers to manufacture casks for the aging of spirits or wines. Phenolic compounds are the main components extracted from the wood during spirit aging. In the present study, a chemometric approach based on unsupervised (PCA) and supervised (PLS-DA) pattern recognition techniques has been applied to the chromatographic instrumental fingerprints, obtained by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) at 280 nm, of the phenolic profiles of brandies aged in casks made of different oak wood species. The resulting natural data groupings and the PLS-DA models have revealed that the oak wood species, the toasting level, and the aging time are the most influential factors on the phenolic profile of the final products. Fingerprinting should be considered as a very useful feature, as it represents a considerable advantage, in terms of internal and quality control, for brandy producers.

Changes in selected chemical and sensory parameters during aging of red wines produced in Poland

The study of the chemical composition of wines is of continuing interest to researchers, despite extensive knowledge about it. Many analyses focus on the chemical transformations that take place in this beverage as it ages. This study aimed to analyze changes in parameters such as free SO2 concentration, acidity, pH, the concentration of selected organic acids, total polyphenol concentration, and FRAP in five red wine varieties: Rondo, Regent, Cabernet Cortis, Acolon, and Zweigelt produced in Poland which were aged for 3 years. The study also included a sensory analysis of wines. The results indicated that, despite the relatively short aging time of the observed wine, the changes were significantly noticeable. The flavors of the wines, as well as their aromas, evolved, resulting in higher scores in sensory evaluation. Parameters such as free sulfur oxide (IV) concentration, antioxidant activity, and tartaric acid, acetic acid, and citric acid concentrations changed significantly. In addition, an analysis of the results was carried out using the PLS method, in which the relationships between the parameters determined were revealed. Research carried out indicates for the first time that Polish red wines have a relatively high potential for long aging.