Wine Imports Research Articles

Quantitative solid phase microextraction – Gas chromatography mass spectrometry analysis of five megastigmatrienone isomers in aged wine

Megastigmatrienone is a key flavor compound in tobacco. It has also been detected in wine, where it may contribute to a tobacco/incense aroma, but its importance and concentration in wines had never previously been evaluated.A method was developed and validated for quantifying the five megastigmatrienone isomers in red and white wines.Megastigmatrienone isomers were extracted by headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME), with a 65μm film thickness polydimethylsiloxane–divinylbenzene (PDMS–DVB) fiber and analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS) in selected ion monitoring mode (SIM). Several parameters affecting the length of the adsorption process (i.e., adding salt, extraction time and extraction temperature) were tested. The optimum analytical conditions were established.The LOQ were between 0.06μgL−1 and 0.49μgL−1 for white wine and 0.11μgL−1 and 0.98μgL−1 for red wine, repeatability in both types of wine was less than 10% and recovery ranged from 96% for white wine to 94% for red wine. The five isomers of megastigmatrienone were quantified in red and white wines for the first time. Concentrations ranged from 2μgL−1 to 41μgL−1 in both red and white wines. Initial results revealed a link between wine aging and megastigmatrienone levels, indicating that megastigmatrienone may be a component in wine “bouquet”.

Wine: looking ahead

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The evolution of foreign wine demand in China

We estimate source‐differentiated wine demand in China using the absolute price version of the Rotterdam demand system. Within the last decade, China has gone from obscurity to an important participant in global wine trade. The continual growth of Chinese wine imports suggests that a one‐time structural shift approach may not fully capture how consumption patterns or demand preferences have changed over time. Thus, a rolling or moving regression procedure is used to account for continual adjustments in import demand patterns and to evaluate overall parameter instability. Our results confirm that Chinese consumers hold French wine in high regard and that French wine demand has consistently increased over the last decade, more than any other exporting source. Consumers in China have gone from allocating about 1/3 to over 1/2 of every dollar to French wine and the expenditure elasticity for French wine mostly increased while the market was expanding. Although Australian wine has a very solid standing in the Chinese market, results suggest that its market share will likely remain unchanged. Marginal budget share and expenditure elasticity estimates indicate that Australia will continue to account for about 20 per cent of the foreign wine market in China.

Tannat: the positioning of a wine grape as symbol and ‘referent’ of a nation's gastronomic heritage

Cultural traditions, including local gastronomy (food and beverage), can be maintained and reinforced through iconic products representing the character of the region or country. The growing importance of wine, food and other forms of tourism in some rural areas can help build a new image – or strengthen an existing one – of a region's culinary heritage. This study examines the dimension represented by wine and food heritage in the context of Uruguay's wine industry. Data were gathered from winery owners, managers, wine makers, and from representatives of Wines of Uruguay and the Routes of Wine. The importance of ‘Tannat’, a varietal grown locally for more than two centuries, is emphasised as the nation's signature wine and symbol of its wine industry. Increasing awareness of the country's culinary heritage has led to efforts to provide a gastronomic concept for consumers seeking local foods and unique gastronomic experiences. Respondents, therefore, perceive that the ‘marriage’ between Tannat and Uruguay' traditional foods is helping in establishing a gastronomic image virtually unexploited before. These findings have important implications for the further development of Uruguay's food and wine industry, heritage and tourism, as well as for that of other regions striving for ‘recognition’ of their gastronomic heritage.

Country-of-Origin Effects on Russian Wine Consumers

In recent years, Russia has experienced significant economic growth. The wine industry is among those most affected by increases in disposable income. As a consequence, Russian wine importers have widened the range at the upper end of the quality spectrum. In the current scenario, some key questions arise concerning consumer attitudes toward wine and the way it is perceived in this evolving market. This article attempts to investigate such concerns through a choice experiment approach conducted by means of a questionnaire-based survey submitted to 388 Russian households located in the country's three largest cities (Moscow, Saint Petersburg, and Novosibirsk). In the experiment, respondents were asked to choose their favorite wine among seven dry red wines. The stated choices are analyzed using a random utility model to obtain an estimation of the price effect through a triangular distribution. Our results indicate the presence of three distinct market segments in the Russian wine market: a segment with only high-quality, highly priced Italian and French wines, a medium-quality segment currently limited to Spanish wines, and a much lower quality segment of wines in which demand for alcohol is essentially satisfied.

Genetic Analysis of the Biosynthesis of 2-Methoxy-3-Isobutylpyrazine, a Major Grape-Derived Aroma Compound Impacting Wine Quality

Methoxypyrazines (MPs) are strongly odorant volatile molecules with vegetable-like fragrances that are widespread in plants. Some grapevine (Vitis vinifera) varieties accumulate significant amounts of MPs, including 2-methoxy-3-isobutylpyrazine (IBMP), which is the major MP in grape berries. MPs are of particular importance in white Sauvignon Blanc wines. The typicality of these wines relies on a fine balance between the pea pod, capsicum character of MPs and the passion fruit/grapefruit character due to volatile thiols. Although MPs play a crucial role in Sauvignon varietal aromas, excessive concentrations of these powerful odorants alter wine quality and reduce consumer acceptance, particularly in red wines. The last step of IBMP biosynthesis has been proposed to involve the methoxylation of the nonvolatile precursor 2-hydroxy-3-isobutylpyrazine to give rise to the highly volatile IBMP. In this work, we have used a quantitative trait loci approach to investigate the genetic bases of IBMP biosynthesis. This has led to the identification of two previously uncharacterized S-adenosyl-methionine-dependent O-methyltransferase genes, termed VvOMT3 and VvOMT4. Functional characterization of these two O-methyltransferases showed that the VvOMT3 protein was highly specific and efficient for 2-hydroxy-3-isobutylpyrazine methylation. Based on its differential expression in high- and low-MP-producing grapevine varieties, we propose that VvOMT3 is a key gene for IBMP biosynthesis in grapevine.

ATTITUDES OF LITHUANIAN CONSUMERS TOWARDS THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN OF WINE

Abstract. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the attitudes of Lithuanian consumers towards the country of origin (COO) of wine. The main factors that influence the effect of COO and the mechanism of its formation were identified. The effects of social stereotypes, described by a Stereotype Content Model, on consumers’ attitudes are also analyzed, identifying the competence and warmth of the COO as important antecedents of consumers’ attitudes. The region of the origin of wine (appellation, protected designation of origin – PDO) have been identified as another important place-of-origin cue determining the consumer’s choice. A quantitative empirical research method – online survey – was used for the purpose of the study. The results have revealed that there are three types of wine consumers’ involvement: cognitive involvement, emotional product involvement, and emotional situational involvement, and that the importance of wine’s COO and region of origin (appellation, PDO) for consumers differs depending on the type and level of a consumer’s involvement. The existence of a statistically significant correlation among consumers’ attitude towards the COO of wine and the country’s competence and warmth has been proven, together with a possible relation between the type of a consumer’s involvement (cognitive, emotional situational or emotional product involvement) and the influence of COO competence and warmth on consumers’ attitude towards a wine. The research has also revealed an important positive relationship among consumer identification with the COO of wine, evaluation of COO competence, and the warmth and consumer attitude towards the COO of wine.Key words: country of origin of wine, consumers’ attitude, consumers’ involvement, stereotype content modelstify;">

The importance of wine attributes for purchase decisions: A study of Italian consumers’ perception

The importance of extrinsic and intrinsic attributes of wine for purchase decisions is the object of a lively debate. As a matter of fact, in recent decades, the shift of consumption motivations from nutritional purposes to drinking for pleasure has caused a persistent decrease in the overall demand. However, the increasing number of product varieties and brands of domestic and imported wine, as well as the increased diversity in wine styles and prices, make the identification of wine purchase drivers difficult. This article investigates the importance of product attributes for Italian consumers when choosing wine. Specifically, a class of statistical models for ordinal data, namely CUB, is taken into consideration. This type of model allows the comparison and clustering of the rating distributions that consumers express about wine features and the detection of significant similarities and differences. In addition, this technique generally helps to relate the subject’s preferences to covariates which typically summarize the socio-demographic profile, the purchase and consumption behavior.

Country of origin advertising and US demand of imported wine: an empirical analysis

We investigate the impact of media advertising on the US consumption of imported wine. Panel data from six countries over 15 years (1994–2008) are used to estimate an aggregate demand function for US wine imports. Our empirical analysis reveals evidence of important effects of advertising of domestic and imported wines on imported quantities; the advertising of imported wines significantly increases the quantity of imports for most countries while the advertising of domestic wines has a mixed effect on imported wine volumes. Other determinants such as price and real income are also found significant.

The international wine trade: Recent trends and critical issues

This paper aims to contribute to the understanding of international wine trade complexities, focusing on the period 2000–2011. Since 2000 the wine trade has grown significantly and its structure has experienced major changes. Such changes are shaping the current competitive scenario of the wine market and are the base elements for its future development. The paper analyses the growth of world wine imports, considering all wines together and the single categories recognized by global statistics (bottled, bulk and sparkling wine). It then describes the changes in the geography of importers with the emergence of new markets and the competitive performance of the main suppliers. The bulk wine trade, the re-export of wine and the exposure of trade flows to trade barriers are also analyzed in detail. Finally, on the basis of the dominant trend in wine consumption and changes in the supply chain, the critical issues arising from analysis are examined, with the need for further research being underlined.

Perspectives on Consumers' Attitudes to Wine's Region of Origin in a Restaurant Setting

This exploratory study examines the relative importance of wine's region of origin in the consumer wine-buying decision-making process in a restaurant setting of the market. The research seeks to evaluate whether its relative importance varies and under what conditions, including taking into account consumers' quality perception of wine's region of origin, anticipated consumption situation, consumption behavior and a number of demographic variables. Data are collected through the use of a self-administered, highly-structured questionnaire in a restaurant in Gawler, South Australia. The sample consists of the restaurant clientele who had both consumed and purchased wine in the previous 12 months resulting in 70 useable surveys. Region of origin has a relatively high importance in the consumer wine-buying decision-making process although wine type and grape variety are the most important choice factors in the wine selection process. Region of origin varies in importance as a choice factor within consumption situations and pre-conditions. The higher the price of wine under consideration, the greater the level of importance placed upon region or origin. There is a positive correlation between consumers' wine quality perception of a wine region and the degree of importance placed on region of origin when selecting wine.

CHANGE AT WINE MARKET IN THE COUNTRIES OF CEFTA REGION

Viticulture and wine production are important industries in most of the countries who have signed CEFTA agreement. The countries of this region have favorable environmental conditions for a high production of grapes and wine. The subject and purpose of the research is to understand the trends of production, export and import in the countries of CEFTA region. Source of data is FAO database (Food and Agriculture Organization - FAO), for the time period 2000-2009. Average wine production in the given region is 610 million liters with a tendency of slight decrease at an average annual rate of 2.81%. Average wine export for countries of this group is the 243.5 million liters, with a tendency of slight decrease at a rate of 1.74%. Export price of wine is 0.9 dollars per liter, which indicates that lowerquality categories of wine (table wine) are mainly being exported. The most important exporter is Moldova with the participation of 63% of total exports from the region. Import of wine is 50 million liters with a trend of significant growth at an average rate of 12.44% per year. The largest importer is the Republic of Serbia with a share of 46.7% of the region. Countries in the region are achieving a positive trade balance of wine, averagely over 190 million liters. It is necessary to increase the production of wine with changes in the structure with regard to quality.

Environmental analysis of the production of champagne cork stoppers

Champagne cork stoppers are a product made basically from cork, a natural and renewable resource extracted from cork oak forests in western Mediterranean regions. Each stopper is made up of an agglomerated cork body and two natural cork discs. In 2009, 60% of the world’s champagne cork stoppers were produced in Catalonia, due to the importance of cava, champagne and other sparkling wines in neighbouring areas. The aim of this research was to provide environmental reference data on champagne cork stoppers production, and identify the industrial stages and operations that made the greatest impact. This research was carried out using life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology, and five of the most representative producers were analysed. The system considered all the processes involved in production after the forest management stage and one million champagne cork stoppers were taken as a functional unit (FU). Results showed that 53,886 kg of CO 2 eq. were emitted to produce the FU. It was observed that the champagne cork stopper manufacture stage represented between 57 and 67% of the environmental impact, depending on the category. Specifically, between 25 and 47% of the environmental impacts associated with this stage were caused by the body agglomeration operation, and between 21 and 29% were caused by the gluing of discs. On the other hand, some of the production stages such as the transport of raw cork and intermediate products, cork slab preparation or end of life stages represented a very small part of the total environmental impact of the product, less than 2%. Furthermore, it was observed that a champagne cork stopper produced by the most impacting company presented a higher impact, between 10 and 27% above the sector average, depending on the impact category; while the least impacting company presented between 12 and 32% less impact. These differences indicate that some companies can improve their production by adopting technology and production practices that some of their competitors have already put in place.

Государственно-правовое регулирование импорта вин и винной торговли в Российской империи в XVIII веке (State and Legal Regulation of Imports of Wines and the Wine Trade in the Russian Empire in the 18th Century)

In the 18th century with the expansion of the foreign relations of Russia increased imports of grape wines. On the domestic market of the country could meet the wines from different European States. This article discusses the basic mechanisms of State-legal regulation of import of grape wines in Russia and their implementation.

Assessing the impact of a Christmas advertisement campaign on Catalan wine preference using Choice Experiments

Our paper seeks to assess the impact of information and advertisement on consumers’ preference for wines in special occasions (Christmas) in Catalonia (Spain). We apply the Choice Experiments method to study the relative importance of attributes that describe consumers’ decision to purchase wine by using the Heteroskedastic Extreme Value (HEV) model. Data were obtained from two questionnaires applied to a pre and post spot samples formed by 299 and 400 individuals, respectively. Results suggest that the proposed spot does not affect the ranking of the preferred attributes, nevertheless this preference is heterogeneous. After advertising preferences scores have revealed significant differences. The relative importance of the “Catalan” wine has increased compared to the “Spanish” wine. The most preferred product is a Catalan wine made from the “Cabernet Sauvignon” variety. Wines that have been previously tasted by the consumer seem to be preferred over recommended or prestigious wines. However, advertising increases the relative importance of prestigious wines.

Wine demand in the United Kingdom and new world structural change: a source-disaggregated analysis

This study examines bottled wine demand in the United Kingdom (UK) by exporting country and assesses the structural adjustment in demand as indicated by the decline in imports since 2004. When comparing the two periods, 1995–2003 and 2005–2009, UK wine imports from Australia became more responsive to changes in aggregate wine expenditures (in real terms) in the latter period. The demand for French wines became more price inelastic in the latter period while the demand for other European wines became price elastic. If the UK government is concerned with decreasing alcohol consumption, an increase in the wine excise tax would lead to a relatively larger decrease in imports from Italy, Portugal, and Spain. The tax on French wines would lead to greater revenue, but a smaller decrease in French wine consumption. [EconLit citations: F14; Q11; Q17]. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

A Method for the Isolation of Protoplasts from Grape Berry Mesocarp Tissue

As single cell systems, protoplasts have been used in physiological, biochemical and molecular studies aiming towards the investigation, improvement or modification of plants. In grapevine, protoplasts have been isolated from several source tissues but not from grape berry, a major challenge given the uniqueness of grape fruit for human diet and wine production. Also, as the ripe grape berry has long been considered a 'small bag of sugary water' without cell compartmentation and/or membrane integrity, the isolation of intact cells from the mesocarp is of special scientific significance. Protoplasting from grape berry mesocarp cells was achieved with cellulase and pectolyase digestion, followed by differential and gradient centrifugations; however, given the special characteristics of berry tissue, cell wall digestion and protoplast purification were performed in a special environment to maintain their integrity and viability. Light and epifluorescence microscopy revealed the spatial organization of the cytoplasm, where an intricate acidic vacuolar apparatus predominates supporting the idea that berry softening during ripening is not strictly associated with loss in compartmentation and/or membrane integrity. Following the worldwide economical and social importance of wine in modern days, grape berry protoplasts are a major advance for both basic research of fruit ripening and biotechnological applications.

New Light on the Wine Trade with Julio-Claudian Britain

ABSTRACTExports of Italian wine to Gaul were in steep decline from c. 50 B.C. A quite different picture emerges from Britain where finds of the Italian Dressel I amphora peak at the very end of the form c. 10 B.C. The discrepancy between Gaul and Britain is explained by the export of commodities from Britain to supply the Roman army on the Rhine, and is the expression of a direct interest in the island by the Roman state. Afterwards, the number of wine amphoras reaching Britain declined sharply: in the 50 years before the Roman invasion the volume of amphora-borne wine imported by Britons fell by between two-thirds and three-quarters. This decline is apparent from both rich graves and settlement sites. The fall in the number of wine amphoras cannot be accounted for by the replacement of the amphora by the barrel as the standard commercial wine-container: we are dealing with a real decline in the volume of wine traded. In Gaul there was a similar slump in wine imports from Italy, and the same pattern is repeated in Mediterranean shipwrecks. It can be explained by growing demand for wine in Italy itself: wine that had hitherto been exported was now consumed in the peninsula.

Region of origin and its importance among choice factors in the wine‐buying decision making of consumers

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the importance of wine's region of origin in the consumer wine‐buying decision‐making process in the Australian domestic market.

John Evans, Joseph Prestwich and the stone that shattered the time barrier

It all began in a railway carriage. Two businessmen, travelling to the Kingston Assizes in Surrey, nodded to each other as strangers do, but did not strike up a conversation. They were expert witnesses appearing for different sides in the Croydon Water Question; a legal test case that boiled down to who owned the undergroundwaters of London (Mather 2008: 83–4). Joseph Prestwich (Figure 1a), the older by 11 years, represented the water suppliers. As the train rattled along under full steam he would have seen landmarks from his pioneering geology of the London Basin. But water was not his business. His family ran a profitable wine importers. Geology, however, was his passion.