Bottle Aging Research Articles

Impact of different types of stoppers on sensorial and phenolic characteristics evolution during a bottle storage time of a white wine from Chardonnay grape variety.

The objective of this work was to study the correlation between the variation of phenolic compounds and sensory characteristics in white wine during bottle storage and to explore the compounds that affected sensory evolution. Chardonnay (Vitis vinifera L. cv.) dry white wines were bottled under six types of stoppers and stored for 18months. The composition of phenolic compounds was analyzed, and the sensory attributes of these wines were evaluated by professional panel. Multivariate statistical analysis demonstrated that bottle aging period exhibited a more important effect on phenolic compound evolution than stopper type. Most of the phenolic compounds disappeared after 18months of bottle storage, whereas the wine sensory attributes were significantly improved after 15-month of bottle aging. No strong correlation existed between the phenolic variation and the dissolved oxygen content. Wine color characteristics developed towards better quality accompanying with the reduction of detectable hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives and flavan-3-ols, while the wine mouth-feel was related mainly to gallic acid and ferulic acid ester. This work provided some references for wine producers to select appropriate storage duration for bottled white wine.

Oxygen exposure of tannins-rich red wines during bottle aging. Influence on phenolics and color, astringency markers and sensory attributes

Three Southern Italy red wines Aglianico, Casavecchia and Pallagrello with high content of total tannins but different initial anthocyanins composition were aged in bottle for 15 months with closures allowing different degrees of wine oxygen exposure. In all wines oxygen exposure resulted in a progressive decrease in monomeric anthocyanins, vanillin reactive flavans and content of tannins reactive toward salivary proteins. In contrast, no significant decrease in color intensity was detected due to the formation of polymeric pigments. For all wines, the closure with the highest oxygen ingress determined a higher intensity of red fruit notes.

Selected yeasts to enhance phenolic content and quality in red wine from low pigmented grapes

The aim of this work was to enhance—by yeast activity—the quality of red wine produced from black grapes of the Calabrian Gaglioppo variety, used as a model for grapes with reduced synthesis of anthocyanins. Six selected strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were used to control winemaking trials. Among the wines, there are significant differences, due to the wine starter used. The following technological parameters were significantly different from strain to strain: total acidity, alcoholic degree, tartaric, malic, lactic, and acetic acid, and free and total SO2; moreover, the following phenolic parameters were significantly different from strain to strain: A420, A520, A620, colour intensity, colour hue, Folin–Ciocalteu index, percentage of DPPH inactivation, total anthocyanins, total polyphenols (A280), total tannins, delphinidin-3-glucoside, cyanidin-3-glucoside, petunidin-3-glucoside, peonidin-3-glucoside, and malvidin-3-glucoside. From a sensory standpoint, significant differences were observed among wine samples during a short bottle aging. Data validate the main role that wine yeast selection plays in enhancing the quality of red wine from low pigmented grape.

Validation of a rapid conductimetric test for the measurement of wine tartaric stability

This work was aimed at optimizing a rapid and reproducible conductivity test for the evaluation of wine tartaric stability, in order to improve the practices for the prevention of tartaric precipitations during bottle aging. The test consists in measuring the drop of conductivity in wines kept under stirring for a fixed time, at low temperature, after the addition of micronized potassium bitartrate crystals (KHT). An experimental design was planned to study three factors affecting the test: temperature, duration and dose of added potassium bitartrate. A standard protocol was defined to produce a micronized potassium bitartrate starting from available commercial products, since the dimensions of the crystals can affect the final conductivity values. After the choice of the best conditions the method was validated. Two different stability thresholds were defined for white wines and for red/rosé wines by comparing the results of the mini-contact test with those of the cold test.

Impact of Mechanical Harvesting and Optical Berry Sorting on Grape and Wine Composition

The impact of mechanical harvesting, optical berry sorting, and their possible synergistic effect on grape and wine composition was investigated. Pinot noir grapes from the Russian River Valley American Viticultural Area were harvested by hand, by a standard bow-rod mechanical harvester, or by a mechanical harvester with a Selectiv’ Process on-board. For each harvest method, half of the grapes were unsorted and half were optically sorted at the winery. The grapes, wines at bottling, and wines after three months of bottle aging were analyzed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), and headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for color expression and phenolic and aroma profiling. The machine-harvested grapes had higher levels of β-damascenone, linalool, β-myrcene, and α-terpinene, potentially caused by glycosidic hydrolysis triggered by berry damage during harvest or from induced synthesis as a wounding response. In general, differences in wine composition attributable to harvest method were diminished or eliminated by optical sorting. The machine harvester with the Selectiv’ Process on-board led to wines with the most phenolics, although these differences may have been decreased or eliminated had the grapes been crushed before fermentation as the wines were produced by whole-berry fermentation. Descriptive sensory analysis conducted on wines three months after bottling determined that the wines made from hand-harvested fruit had significantly greater tropical fruit aroma, while wines made from optically sorted treatments had less hue saturation. With only two significant differences among the 18 aroma, taste, and mouthfeel attributes tested, it was concluded that all treatments led to wines of similar character.

Study of quinones reactions with wine nucleophiles by cyclic voltammetry

Quinones are electrophilic species which can react with various nucleophiles, like wine antioxidants, such as sulfur dioxide or ascorbic acid, thiols, amino acids, and numerous polyphenols. These reactions are very important in wine aging because they mediate oxygen reactions during both production and bottle aging phases. In this work, the major challenge was to determine the interaction between ortho-quinones and wine nucleophiles (amino acids, thiols, and the antioxidants SO2 and ascorbic acid), by cyclic voltammetry. Wine-model solutions with gallic acid, caffeic acid, or (+)-catechin and nucleophilic compounds were used. To understand the effect of nucleophilic addition in wine, a white wine with the same added nucleophiles was also analysed. Cyclic voltammograms were taken with glassy carbon electrode or screen-printed carbon electrodes, respectively, for wine-model and white wines solutions, in the absence and in the presence of nucleophiles. A nucleophilic order profile related to the cathodic current intensity decrease was observed.

Evolution of volatile compounds, aroma attributes, and sensory perception in bottle-aged red wines and their correlation

This study aimed to investigate the evolution of volatile compounds, odor activity value-based aroma notes, and sensory perception in Cabernet Sauvignon (Vitis vinifera L. cv.) dry red wines during an 18-month bottle-aging period, and further to assess the correlation between them. The wines were sealed with six types of stoppers, including natural cork, agglomerated cork, technical cork, and three types of polymer synthetic plugs, to provide different oxygen environments during wine development. Results showed that volatile compounds in all of the wine samples exhibited three evolution trends during the bottle-aging process. Most of the volatiles followed the second evolution trend in which their concentration increased within the first 3–9 months of bottle aging, and subsequently declined. The wines bottle-aged within 9 months possessed obvious aroma characteristics, which resulted from the abundant volatile compounds in this period, in particular, the presence of esters and alcohols. The 15-month bottle-aged wines showed the highest sensory quality evolution, suggesting that this might be related to a good balance of various aroma attributes. Partial least squares regression analysis revealed that wine aroma could develop toward good perception with the increase in ethyl octanoate, 1-octen-3-ol, and ethyl dodecanoate. However, the increase in (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol, 2-methoxy-phenol, decanal, isobutyric acid, octanoic acid, and isoamyl acetate resulted in a negative sensory feature of wine aroma.

Development of a quantitation method to assay both lyoniresinol enantiomers in wines, spirits, and oak wood by liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry.

Wine taste balance evolves during oak aging by the release of volatile and non-volatile compounds from wood. Among them, an enantiomer of lyoniresinol, (+)-lyoniresinol, has been shown to exhibit bitterness. To evaluate the impact of (+)-lyoniresinol on wine taste, a two-step quantitation method was developed and validated. First, (±)-lyoniresinol was assayed in wines, spirits, and oak wood macerates by C-18 liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS). Then, the lyoniresinol enantiomeric ratio was determined by chiral LC-HRMS in order to calculate the (+)-lyoniresinol content. In red and white wines, the average concentrations of (+)-lyoniresinol were 1.9 and 0.8mg/L, respectively. The enantiomer proportions were not affected by bottle aging, and lyoniresinol appeared to remain stable over time. The sensory study of (+)-lyoniresinol established its perception threshold at 0.46mg/L in wine. All the commercial wines quantitated were above this perception threshold, demonstrating its impact on wine taste by an increase in bitterness. In spirits, (+)-lyoniresinol ranged from 2.0 to 10.0mg/L and was found to be released continuously during oak aging. Finally, neither botanical origin nor toasting was found to significantly affect the (+)-lyoniresinol content of oak wood. Graphical abstract From oak wood to wine: evaluation of the influence of (+)-lyoniresinol on the bitterness of wines and spirits.

Impact of Pressing Conditions on the Phenolic Composition, Radical Scavenging Activity and Glutathione Content of Brazilian Vitis vinifera White Wines and Evolution During Bottle Ageing

The pre-fermentation techniques applied during the production of white wine, such as skin maceration or grape pressing, can directly affect the quality of the final product. There is a constant search for methods that can enhance the sensorial characteristics, such as varietal aromas, and phenolic composition of white wines. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different pressing conditions on the phenolic composition, antioxidant activity and glutathione content of white musts and wines produced in southern Brazil and to evaluate these characteristics during bottle ageing. By applying different pressures, three fractions of musts were obtained: free-run must, light pressed must and heavy pressed must. The musts and their corresponding wines were analysed by spectrophotometric and chromatographic assays. Pressing positively affected the chemical composition of the musts and wines, and the wines produced with pressed fractions of the musts presented higher polyphenol content and radical scavenging power. The main phenolic compounds affected by the pressing conditions were caftaric acid, catechin and epicatechin. During bottle ageing, an increase in certain individual phenolic compounds could be observed by liquid chromatography. Samples produced with heavy pressed musts presented a higher browning index. Furthermore, the application of pressure to the grape musts during winemaking increased the contents of total glutathione by factors of up to 22 and 15 for light pressed and heavy pressed musts, respectively. After 8 months of bottle ageing, the glutathione content decreased in all samples.

Polyphenolic Compositions and Chromatic Characteristics of Bog Bilberry Syrup Wines

Phenolic compounds determine the color quality of fruit wines. In this study, the phenolic compound content and composition, color characteristics and changes during 6 months of bottle aging were studied in wines fermented with bog bilberry syrup under three different pHs. The total anthocyanins and total phenols were around 15.12–16.23 mg/L and 475.82 to 486.50 mg GAE/L in fresh wines and declined 22%–31% and about 11% in bottle aged wines, respectively. In fresh wines, eight anthocyanins, six phenolic aids and 14 flavonols, but no flavon-3-ols were identified; Malvidin-3-O-glucoside, petunidin-3-O-glucoside and delphinium-3-O-glucoside were the predominant pigments; Chlorogentic acid was the most abundant phenolic acid, and quercetin-3-O-galactoside and myricetin-3-O-galactoside accounted for nearly 90% of the total flavonols. During 6 months of bottle storage, the amounts of all the monomeric anthocyanins and phenolic acids were reduced dramatically, while the glycosidyl flavonols remained constant or were less reduced and their corresponding aglycones increased a lot. The effects of aging on blueberry wine color were described as the loss of color intensity with a dramatic change in color hue, from initial red-purple up to final red-brick nuances, while the pH of the fermentation matrix was negatively related to the color stability of aged wine.

Fluorescence fingerprinting of bottled white wines can reveal memories related to sulfur dioxide treatments of the must.

For the first time, Excitation Emission Matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy was combined with parallel factor statistical analysis (PARAFAC) and applied to a set of 320 dry white wines of the Chardonnay grape variety. A four component PARAFAC model (C1, C2, C3 and C4) best explained the variability of fluorescence signatures of white wines. Subtle changes were observed in EEMs of white wines from two different vintages (2006 and 2007), where different concentrations of sulfur dioxide (0, 4, and 8 g·hL(-1)) were added to the grape must at pressing. PARAFAC results clearly indicated that sulfur dioxide added to the must subsequently influenced white wine chemistry into three distinct sulfur dioxide dose-dependent aging mechanisms. For both vintages, C1 and C2 were the dominant components affected by sulfur dioxide and likely reacting with phenolic compounds associated with some presumably proteinaceous material. Distinct component combinations revealed either SO2 dependent or vintage-dependent signatures, thus, showing the extent of the complex versatile significance underlying such fluorescence spectra, even after several years of bottle aging.

Influence of the temperature and oxygen exposure in red Port wine: A kinetic approach

Although phenolics are recognized to be related with health benefits by limiting lipid oxidation, in wine, they are the primary substrates for oxidation resulting in the quinone by-products with the participation of transition metal ions. Nevertheless, high quality Port wines require a period of aging in either bottle or barrels. During this time, a modification of sensory properties of wines such as the decrease of astringency or the stabilization of color is recognized to phenolic compounds, mainly attributed to anthocyanins and derived pigments.The present work aims to illustrate the oxidation of red Port wine based on its phenolic composition by the effect of both thermal and oxygen exposures. A kinetic approach toanthocyanins degradation was also achieved. For this purpose a forced red Port wine aging protocol was performed at four different storage temperatures, respectively, 20, 30, 35 and 40°C, and two adjusted oxygen saturation levels, no oxygen addition (treatment I), and oxygen addition (treatment II). Three hydroxycinnamic esters, three hydroxycinnamic acids, three hydroxybenzoic acids, two flavan-3-ols, and six anthocyanins were quantitated weekly during 63days, along with oxygen consumption. The most relevant phenolic oxidation markers were anthocyanins and catechin-type flavonoids, which had the highest decreases during the thermal and oxidative red Port wine process. Both temperature and oxygen treatments affected the rate of phenolic degradation. In addition, temperature seems to influence mostly the phenolics kinetic degradation.

Investigating the Effect of Cold Soak Duration on Phenolic Extraction during Cabernet Sauvignon Fermentation.

The impact of increasing cold soak (CS) duration (0, 1, 4, 7, and 10 days at 10 °C) on the extraction of phenolic compounds during the CS period and primary fermentation as well as the final composition of Cabernet Sauvignon wine was investigated. The results showed that CS duration had no effect on hydroxycinnamate and flavonol extractions. Greater amounts of gallic acid, (+)-catechin, (−)-epicatechin, and total tannins were extracted with increasing CS duration, with differences maintained during bottle aging. Anthocyanin extraction and color density increased with longer periods of CS; however, by the end of primary fermentation, as well as three months’ bottle aging, there were no significant differences due to CS duration. The wines made with seven and 10 days of CS had higher seed tannin contributions and total tannin compared to the non-CS wine, which could potentially result in increased astringency.

Quality characteristics of distilled alcohols prepared with different fermenting agents

This study was performed to investigate the quality characteristics of distilled spirits made with different fermenting agents in copper distiller. The highest distillate yield was observed in the mashing made with fermenting agent A. The distillate made with fermenting agent A showed also significantly the highest level of ester and higher-alcohol concentration. In addition, the distilled spirit made with fermenting agent A indicated significantly higher preferences in appearance, smell, taste, quality, and overall acceptability than those of other agents. However, the aging in bottle for 6 months had no significant differences in sensory improvement in distilled spirits regardless in kind of fermenting agents. This study emphasizes the importance of rice koji as fermenting agent in distilled spirit prepared with rice and using with multistage distiller made of copper to improve aroma substances and yield ratio of distillate.

Technological approaches to the vinification of Dornfelder grape variety cultivated in Romania

In Romania, Dornfelder is a rare grape variety which started to become popular among some wine producers due to the intense colour of its wines. However, it is mostly used in blends and therefore varietal wines of Dornfelder are not found too often. In this paper we present some technological approaches suitable for the production of varietal wines of Dornfelder, some of them novel for the Romanian wine industry. The experimental samples include a classical red wine made by the usual technol- ogy using freshly harvested grapes (DW = Dornfelder wine) and two variants made with dried grapes (DR and DWDR). The DR variant (Dornfelder raisin wine) is produced by a straw-wine type technology, by fermenting a must obtained from grapes dried for 7 weeks. The DWDR is a variant obtained by fermenting a mixture of crushed dried grapes and new Dornfelder wine, the ratio of crushed raisins to wine being 1:1 in weight. The wines were analysed both physico-chemically and sensorially. After one year of aging in bottles, the variant DWDR of wine, produced by fermenting dried berries in already finished wine, proved to be the most balanced in taste, with an intense and complex aroma of berries and red fruit, also displaying good aging potential and stability. The variant DR appeared dense and intense, but with a less complex fruity aroma, with a dominant note of blueberries and black currants. Both straw wines are preferable to the classic varietal wine, which is vinous, but lacks structure and displays a dissociated acidity and a simple aromatic profile, with dominant sour cherry, mineral and vegetal notes.

Changes of enological variables, metal ions, and aromas in Fenjiu during 3 years of ceramic and glass bottle ageing

Changes in enological variables, metal ions, and aromas of Fenjiu were examined after 3 years of ageing in ceramic and glass bottles. Container type and ageing time showed significant effects on six enological variables, all metal ions, and most of the aromas. A principal component analysis was performed for aromas exhibiting simultaneous dependence on the container type and ageing time at the p < 0.001 level. The first two components accounted for 81.50% of the overall variance. Sensory analysis indicated that ceramic-aged Fenjiu was of higher quality than glass bottle-aged Fenjiu given the same ageing time. The ceramic container was more suitable for the ageing of Fenjiu.

Grape variety, aging on lees and aging in bottle after disgorging influence on volatile composition and foamability of sparkling wines

The aim of this work was focused on the study of the influence of grape variety and aging time in contact with lees and without lees, on volatile composition and foamability of white and rosé sparkling wines. Seven different grape varieties were used and the sparkling wines were studied until 30 months of aging on lees and after 12 months of aging in bottle after disgorging.Sparkling wines from Albarín, Verdejo, Godello and Prieto Picudo grape varieties were the richest in most of the volatile compounds analyzed, especially those that contribute to the fruity aroma of wines, and maintained their varietal characteristics even after long aging time (30 months). Verdejo and Prieto Picudo sparkling wines presented the best foam characteristics, followed by Albarín and Godello wines.Considering all the results, Albarín, Verdejo, Godello and Prieto Picudo were the most interesting grape varieties to elaborate sparkling wines, following the traditional or “champenoise” method.

Chemical, chromatic, and sensory attributes of 6 red wines produced with prefermentative cold soak

Six red grape cultivars, Barbera D’Asti, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Syrah, were produced with or without prefermentative cold soak (CS). Cold soak had no effect on the basic chemical composition of the wines. At pressing, CS wines were more saturated and with a higher red component than control wines. After 1year of bottle aging, CS wines retained 22% more anthocyanins than control wines, but tannins and total phenolics remained unaffected. Both saturation and the red component of colour were slightly higher in CS wines. From a sensory standpoint, CS only enhanced colour intensity in Barbera D’Asti and Cabernet Sauvignon wines, whereas it diminished colour intensity in Pinot Noir. Cold soak had no effect on perceived aroma, bitterness, astringency, and body of the wines. Principal Component Analysis suggested that the outcome of CS is contingent upon the specific cultivar to which the CS technique is applied.

Barrel maturation, oak alternatives and micro-oxygenation: Influence on red wine aging and quality

The impact of micro-oxygenation (MOX) in conjunction with a variety of oak alternatives on phenolic composition and red wine aging was investigated and compared with traditional barrel aging. Although several studies concluded that MOX give similar results to barrel aging, few have compared them directly and none directly compared MOX with and without wood alternatives and barrel aging. Results confirmed that MOX had a positive effect on colour density, even after 5months of bottle aging. This is supported by an increase in polymeric phenol and pigment content not only with aging but in the MOX compared to barrel matured wine treatments. Descriptive analysis showed that MOX in combination with wood alternatives such as oak chips and staves could mimic short term (six months) barrel aging in new American and French oak barrels in regards to sensory characteristics.

Evolution of phenolic compounds and sensory in bottled red wines and their co-development

This study aimed to assess the correspondence between the evolution of phenolic compounds and the development of appearance and mouthfeel in Cabernet Sauvignon (Vitis vinifera L. cv.) dry red wines during 18-month aging in bottle. The wines were sealed with six types of bottle stoppers. The results showed that phenolic compounds presented four evolution patterns along with wine aging in bottle, mainly depending on their chemical nature. Most of the anthocyanins had significant differences in concentration amongst the wines sealed with the six bottle stoppers at the 18-month point. Analysis of partial least squares (PLS) revealed that wine appearance quality was positively correlated with the levels of malvidin-3-O-(6-O-acetyl)-glucoside-4-vinylguaiacol, gallocatechin and dihydrokaempferol-3-O-rhamnos, while the development of mouthfeel properties was positively associated with the evolutions of malvidin-3-O-glucoside-ethyl-(epi)catechin, peonidin-3-O-(6-O-acetyl)-glucoside, malvidin-3-O-(6-O-coumaryl)-glucoside-pyruvic acid and peonidin-3-O-glucoside-4-vinylphenol. No obvious association was observed between the development of wine sensory characteristics and the evolution of dissolved oxygen in wine.