Wine Styles Research Articles

Techniques for Dealcoholization of Wines: Their Impact on Wine Phenolic Composition, Volatile Composition, and Sensory Characteristics.

The attention of some winemakers and researchers over the past years has been drawn towards the partial or total dealcoholization of wines and alcoholic beverages due to trends in wine styles, and the effect of climate change on wine alcohol content. To achieve this, different techniques have been used at the various stages of winemaking, among which the physical dealcoholization techniques, particularly membrane separation (nanofiltration, reverse osmosis, evaporative perstraction, and pervaporation) and thermal distillation (vacuum distillation and spinning cone column), have shown promising results and hence are being used for commercial production. However, the removal of alcohol by these techniques can cause changes in color and losses of desirable volatile aroma compounds, which can subsequently affect the sensory quality and acceptability of the wine by consumers. Aside from the removal of ethanol, other factors such as the ethanol concentration, the kind of alcohol removal technique, the retention properties of the wine non-volatile matrix, and the chemical-physical properties of the aroma compounds can influence changes in the wine sensory quality during dealcoholization. This review highlights and summarizes some of the techniques for wine dealcoholization and their impact on wine quality to help winemakers in choosing the best technique to limit adverse effects in dealcoholized wines and to help meet the needs and acceptance among different targeted consumers such as younger people, pregnant women, drivers, and teetotalers.

Prevalence and Management of Alkyl-Methoxypyrazines in a Changing Climate: Viticultural and Oenological Considerations.

Alkyl-methoxypyrazines are an important class of odor-active molecules that contribute green, ‘unripe’ characters to wine and are considered undesirable in most wine styles. They are naturally occurring grape metabolites in many cultivars, but can also be derived from some Coccinellidae species when these ‘ladybugs’ are inadvertently introduced into the must during harvesting operations. The projected impacts of climate change are discussed, and we conclude that these include an altered alkyl-methoxypyrazine composition in grapes and wines in many wine regions. Thus, a careful consideration of how to manage them in both the vineyard and winery is important and timely. This review brings together the relevant literatures on viticultural and oenological interventions aimed at mitigating alkyl-methoxypyrazine loads, and makes recommendations on their management with an aim to maintaining wine quality under a changing and challenging climate.

Exploring the influence of grape tissues on the concentration of wine volatile compounds

Background and Aims Knowledge of varietal wine flavour and aroma compounds has improved, but gaps exist concerning how grape composition impacts wine style. This work aimed to explore the influence that different grape tissues can have on the volatile profiles of wines. Methods and Results Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon berries were separated into skin, flesh and seeds. Two sets of fermentations were performed using separated tissues: one using an equal mass of each tissue and another where the amount of each tissue in 25 g of berries was fermented. When an equal mass of tissue was used, the seed-derived wines had a higher concentration of esters than that produced from other grape tissues. Those produced using skins had the highest concentration of lipoxygenase pathway-derived compounds, and, for Riesling, a higher concentration of monoterpenes. When the proportional amounts of each tissue found per berry were used, the flesh-derived wines generally had a higher concentration of many wine volatiles compared to the other tissues. This reflects the greater proportion of flesh tissue in the berry compared to skin and seeds. Conclusions Seed-derived compounds can enhance ester biosynthesis during fermentation and skins appear to have high lipoxygenase pathway activity. Nevertheless, the flesh makes up such a large proportion of the whole berry that it has the major influence on volatile profiles of whole berry fermentations. Significance of the Study Different berry tissues can alter wine composition in unique ways, and this can inform strategies to alter wine composition through vineyard management or the selection of new germplasm.

The Sustainable Project Management Utilization in French Wineries While Adapting to Climate Change

Nowadays, the issue of climate change has attracted attention in various fields. The rise of global temperature makes humanity must take note of environmental protection and the Sustainability of different domains. The planting of vineyards and the production of wine have also been greatly affected. Since the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) officially became the 17 development goals set by the United Nations in 2015, sustainable project management development is at the forefront globally. In recent years, the wine industry has developed rapidly worldwide. However, global climate change is a challenge for French wineries if they want to maintain their high-quality wine style. Therefore, in order to cope with the impact of climate change on wine, wineries have begun to implement sustainable development project management in all aspects. Especially French wineries that make much account of Sustainability in this respect. This paper proposes the one aspect – Wine Production of CWW Conceptual model that can be used in the French wineries, Four Drivers of Sustainable Project Management Implementation Model to interpret the main drivers that impact project management implementation in the wine industry. Using mixed-method research approach, qualitative research with interview-based analysis is the primary method, as well as surveys used to interpret the elements of sustainable project management necessarily utilizing in French wineries that would help them to achieve green growth.

Oenococcus oeni Lifestyle Modulates Wine Volatilome and Malolactic Fermentation Outcome.

In this study, nine Oenococcus oeni strains were tested for their ability to adhere to polystyrene using mMRS and wine as culture media. Moreover, planktonic and biofilm-detached cells were investigated for their influence on malic acid degradation kinetics and aroma compound production. Three strains were able to adhere on polystyrene plates in a strain-dependent way. In particular, MALOBACT-T1 and ISO359 strains mainly grew as planktonic cells, while the ISO360 strain was found prevalent in sessile state. The strain-dependent adhesion ability was confirmed by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Planktonic and biofilm detached cells showed a different metabolism. In fact, biofilm-detached cells had a better malic acid degradation kinetic and influenced the aroma composition of resulting wines, acting on the final concentration of esters, higher alcohols, and organic acids. Oenococcus oeni in biofilm lifestyle seems to be a suitable tool to improve malolactic fermentation outcome, and to contribute to wine aroma. The industrial-scale application of this strategy should be implemented to develop novel wine styles.

Impact of fermentation temperature and grape solids content on the chemical composition and sensory profiles of Cabernet Sauvignon wines made from flash détente treated must fermented off-skins

This study investigated the color, phenolic, polysaccharide, volatile and sensory profiles of Cabernet Sauvignon wines made from flash détente (FD) treated musts fermented at different temperatures (16, 24 or 32 °C), with and without suspended grape solids. Low fermentation temperature and low solids content increased the concentration of esters, whereas the opposite conditions increased the concentration of fusel alcohols, polysaccharides and glycerol. Higher fermentation temperatures also increased linalool concentration independent of solids content. Traditional maceration fermentation conditions gave the highest concentration of fusel alcohols and 1-hexanol relative to FD treatments. Pre-fermentation removal of grape solids from FD juice created wines with increased red fruit and confectionery attributes, whereas inclusion of 3.5% grape solids increased dark fruit notes. In comparison, control wines had significantly higher green and savory attributes compared to wines from FD treatments. Research findings demonstrated the potential for FD to be used to create differentiated red wine styles.

Correlations between microbes and metabolites of hulless barley wines fermented with varieties of hulless barley and different starters

Hulless barley wine has been widely researched for its high nutritional values and unique flavor. However, the different varieties of hulless barley and a variety of local characteristic starter in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, which make the styles of hulless barley wine in different. In this study, the microbial community compositions of representative starters were investigated. Meanwhile, the physicochemical indexes, sensory analysis, volatile flavor compounds and free amino acids of different wines fermented with varieties of hulless barley and different starters were determined, respectively. In addition, the correlations between microbes and metabolomics were explored. The results showed that there were differences between fungal communities and between bacterial in differences starters. The influence of different starters on the quality of hulless barley wine was greater than that of hulless barley varieties. 16 microbial generas Acetobacter, Weissella, Chloroplast, Bacillus, Leuconostoc, Methylobacterium, Rhizopus, Aspergillus, Pichia, Hyphopichia, Wallemia, Xeromyces, Gibberella, Alternaria, Curvularia and Microdochium were discovered to be positive correlated with metabolites by Spearman's correlation analysis. These findings may indicate the key microorganisms of volatile substances and free amino acids in hulless barley wine, help to select hulless barley varieties and control the microorganisms of starter, and improve the quality of hulless barley wine.

Double cropping inVitis viniferaL. cv. Pinot Noir: agronomical and physiological validation

Background and Aims Environmental effects of global warming are leading to extended ripening seasons, which may either require or allow new vineyard management techniques. An innovative double-cropping technique is proposed for temperate climate areas. Methods and Results The principle technique was to maintain the primary crop as well as to obtain a second, late ripening crop through release of dormancy of the auxiliary buds during the current season. Potted Pinot Noir vines were subjected to two forcing treatments over 2 years: trimming all the primary shoots at six nodes and removing any developing laterals at the end of the flowering and pea size stages. Vine growth, yield components and grape composition were monitored on both primary and forced shoots. In the second season, seasonal whole-vine gas exchange was evaluated in detail. Forced shoots carried 40–50% of the vine crop compared to primary shoots and fruit quality was greatly enhanced and higher TA was observed. Forcing treatments reached a similar net carbon dioxide exchange rate per vine compared to unforced Control about 2 weeks following auxiliary budburst. For the remainder of the season, forcing treatments maintained much higher net carbon dioxide exchange rate and water-use efficiency than unforced Control vines. Conclusions Detailed agronomical and physiological evaluation for 2 years confirmed the reliability of the double-cropping technique without compromising the pruning point selection for the next cropping year. Significance of the Study Future field application may disclose that this forcing technique is able to warrant two crops potentially suited to different wine styles within a single season.

Influence of transport temperature profiles on wine quality

The temperature effect of simulated transport conditions on wine quality was investigated. Transport situations were simulated in a climate chamber for five wines representing international wine styles: one sparkling, two white and two red still wines. The wines were exposed to temperature scenarios over a maximum time of 42 days at temperature ranges between 15 and 40 °C and the control storage at 15 °C. Analytical and sensory results demonstrated that a significant temperature influence, calculated as a temperature-time equivalence needs to be reached before quality effects are observed. The wines of a fruity and lighter style (red Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc wines from 2017 vintage) were more sensitive than the wines with higher alcohol and wooden aging (red Bordeaux and Chardonnay wines from 2015 vintage). Except for the Champagne, sensory examinations showed a regular linear trend with exposure severity starting at the time equivalence at 15 °C. The sensory results correlated well with the UV–vis and HS-SPME-GC–MS results.

Microbial dynamics in industrial-scale wine fermentation employing Hanseniaspora uvarum β-glucosidase-producer strain.

The use of non-Saccharomyces yeast strains in winemaking is becoming a common trend. In fact, consumers are demanding new and healthier styles of wine. On the other hand, these strains are a challenge for the starting process due to winery-resident strains, especially with regard to industrial-scale fermentations. Current assay focuses on the scale-up of the laboratorial inoculum inside the winery environment to ferment 15,000 and 25,000 L of Vitis labrusca Bordô must, using a Hanseniaspora uvarum β-glucosidase-producer strain as starter culture. This scale-up could confirm the viability of using non-Saccharomyces yeast, as it presented promising results on a laboratory scale. The non-Saccharomyces strain was selected in a previous study since it proved to increase resveratrol concentration in lab scale winemaking. The yeast diversity was followed by the plate culturing method. Species identification and strain typing were determined by ITS-RFLP and PCR-fingerprinting, respectively. Physical and chemical analyses and resveratrol quantification were performed in the elaborated wines.

Optimization and Application of the Wine Neophobia Scale

Wine consumers’ willingness (wine neophilia) or reluctance (wine neophobia) to try new wines represent, respectively, an opportunity or barrier for product innovation and market development in the wine industry. Here, we first sought to validate and optimize the Wine Neophobia Scale (WNS) in a large sample of 1269 Canadian wine consumers. Both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses showed that a seven-item scale was optimal. This modified WNS (mWNS) was then used to investigate demographic and behavioral correlates of wine neophobia. Using lower and upper quartile values, 316 neophiles and 326 neophobes were identified. Wine neophiles and neophobes did not differ with respect to gender or age; however, neophobes had lower household income, education, and wine involvement, and reported consuming fewer wine styles than neophiles. Interestingly, while neophiles drank wine considerably more frequently than neophobes—a finding that is mediated by wine involvement—total annual wine intake did not differ between the groups. Importantly, the price typically paid per bottle of wine also varied with wine neophobia. We recommend adoption of the modified mWNS as a useful tool for more fully understanding the drivers of wine behavior and providing guidance to wine marketers.

Soil water availability during spring modulates canopy growth and impacts the chemical and sensory composition of Shiraz fruit and wine

Background and Aim Reduced rainfall during vine dormancy and supplementary irrigation during winter or at spring impact on vine growth partitioning. We assess the implications that induced changes on canopy growth due to soil moisture availability in spring have on fruit and wine composition. Methods and Results Irrigation strategies were assessed in a vineyard where winter rainfall was excluded and irrigation was applied during winter or at spring during three seasons. Reduced soil moisture in spring increased canopy porosity from flowering and increased the concentration of phenolic substances in the fruit and wine. Colour, aroma intensity and fruit attributes typical of Barossa Shiraz wines were enhanced under more open canopies. When soil moisture was restored in spring by natural rainfall or by supplementary irrigation, vines developed denser canopies and phenolic substances were reduced in the fruit and wines. Irrigation at spring following a dry winter altered wine style and was associated with some negative attributes. Conclusions Smaller canopies due to reduced water availability at spring improved fruit and wine composition at the expense of yield. Irrigation in spring following a dry winter promoted canopy growth over yield, and impacted negatively on fruit and wine composition. Significance of the Study These results stress the importance that soil water availability in spring has on defining wine style, and establishes a framework for the adoption of irrigation strategies that may maintain regional style in a context of a changing climate. These responses can be expected in regions with a Mediterranean climate experiencing a reduction in winter rainfall.

Performing sequential harvests based on berry sugar accumulation (mg/berry) to obtain specific wine sensory profiles

This study aimed to investigate the possible existence of reproducible aromatic red wine styles, focusing on fresh fruit aromas and mature fruit aromas (i.e., with dark, jammy fruit characteristics) and taking into account both vintage and vineyard.The study was performed on Australian Shiraz and Cabernet‑Sauvignon from three different meso-climate areas and two consecutive vintages. Sequential harvests were carried out based on the plateau of the physiological indicator berry sugar accumulation (mg/berry) in order to obtain fresh fruit and mature fruit wine sensory profiles. There was a predictable aromatic sequence during grape ripening at each of these two distinct maturity stages regardless of grape genotype (variety) and environment (vineyard and vintage). The post-plateau period of berry sugar accumulation was found to be crucial for the evolution of wine aromatic profiles. During this period, wine aromatic and phenolic maturity were uncoupled from technological maturity (i.e., berry sugar concentration). Dimethyl sulfide was found to be the most relevant wine aromatic marker for differentiating the fresh fruit and mature fruit stages irrespective of the variety. Specific cultivar markers with potential sensory contribution were also identified; for example, (Z)‐3‐hexenol, a possible contributor to the aromatic freshness of Shiraz wines from the fresh fruit stage. The evolution of terpenoids appeared to be separate from the dynamics of berry ripening post plateau of fruit sugar accumulation. On the other hand, ester composition was significantly altered during the same ripening period in Shiraz and Cabernet‑Sauvignon wines with a marked grape genotype effect. The results showed that yeast metabolism was also affected by berry ripening evolution from the plateau of berry sugar accumulation onwards.

Exploring the regional typicality of Australian Shiraz wines using untargeted metabolomics

Background and Aims Shiraz is the most widely planted winegrape cultivar in Australia. Sensory studies have indicated that different grapegrowing regions in Australia produce distinct styles of Shiraz wines that differ in flavour characteristics. The current project aimed to characterise the underlying volatile composition associated with regional Shiraz wine styles. Methods and Results Wines were selected from six geographically distinct regions and the volatile compounds were analysed using gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry to provide a comprehensive and holistic overview of the wine volatilome. A suite of R language based software enabled feature extraction and importance ranking, following an untargeted metabolomics approach. A classification model based on the random forests algorithm using the 80 most important compounds correctly associated all samples to regions. A range of these compounds, including terpenoids, benzenoids, esters, furan derivatives and aliphatic alcohols, has been associated with grape composition, winemaking influences and the ageing process. Conclusions The results suggest that the regional compositional differences in varietal wines may be influenced by all processes in the entire wine production chain. Significance of the Study The current study highlighted the chemical basis underlying the regional typicality of Australian Shiraz wines, and identified specific volatile compounds that may be associated with a region.

Influence of inclusion of grapevine leaves, rachis and peduncles during fermentation on the flavour and volatile composition ofVitis viniferacv. Shiraz wine

Background and Aims The presence of matter other than grapes (MOG) is common in the winemaking process when sorting equipment is not utilised. Experimental wines were made to examine the effect of MOG on the sensory profile and chemical composition of wine. Methods and Results A Shiraz wine made without MOG was compared to fermentations with grape leaves, grape stalks (rachis) and peduncles (the stalk connecting the bunch to the vine) added at amounts at or slightly above those found in a commercial harvest bin. Fifty-one volatile aroma compounds were quantified in the wines, and sensory descriptive analysis was applied. The wine made with leaves added was rated by the sensory panel similar to the Control and was significantly higher only in positive aromas such as ‘confectionery’ and ‘red fruit’ likely due to a higher concentration of hexanol and (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol. The addition of peduncles slightly enhanced ‘green’ aroma and flavour. The rachis treatment was high in ‘green capsicum/green stalks’ attributes, as well as astringency, and was high in methoxypyrazines. Conclusions The inclusion of different types of MOG during fermentation can alter the sensory profile and chemical composition of Shiraz wines in varying ways, including extraction of methoxypyrazines from the rachis, resulting in notable ‘green’ attributes. Significance of the Study The inclusion of MOG is unavoidable in common winemaking practices, especially with the use of mechanical harvesting. Determining the influence of MOG on the volatile composition of the finished wine is an important step in manipulating wine style.

Volatile aroma composition and sensory profile of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon wines produced with novelMetschnikowia pulcherrimayeast starter cultures

Background and Aims The use of non-Saccharomyces yeast strains as starter cultures for wine production has become increasingly popular, particularly due to their positive effect on wine composition, colour, aroma and flavour. Here, we characterise the volatile aroma composition and the sensory profile of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon wines produced with novel active dry yeast preparations of Metschnikowia pulcherrima compared to that of reference strains. Methods and Results Winemaking treatments included an uninoculated fermentation, two reference Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentations, and sequential fermentations inoculated with either M. pulcherrima AWRI1149 or M. pulcherrima AWRI3050 and S. cerevisiae. Amplicon-based internal transcribed spacer phylotyping was used to determine microbial population dynamics during fermentation. Wines were analysed for volatile composition and subjected to sensory analysis. The M. pulcherrima strains survived and dominated in both grape cultivars, and produced distinctive wine volatile profiles depending on the inoculation treatment. These differences in volatiles resulted in significant differences for several sensory attributes. Conclusions Wines made with active dry yeast preparations of M. pulcherrima AWRI1149 and M. pulcherrima AWRI3050 were characterised by increased intensity of desirable sensory attributes and by low scores for negative descriptors. Significance of the Study This work provides winemakers with additional yeast preparations that can shape sensory profile and wine style.

Investigating Australian Consumers' Perceptions of and Preferences for Different Styles of Sparkling Wine Using the Fine Wine Instrument.

This study investigated consumer preferences for different styles of sparkling wine and the influence of wine style and occasion on sparkling wine purchasing and consumption behavior. Australian consumers (n = 203) completed an online survey and blind tasting of representative styles of commercial sparkling wines, including Champagne. Wine sensory profiles were determined by descriptive analysis using a trained panel (n = 12) and consumers were segmented into ‘No Frills’, ‘Aspirant’ and ‘Enthusiast’ clusters using the Fine Wine Instrument. Consumer perceptions, preferences and liking were measured using 9-point hedonic scales and compared via statistical analysis. Consumers anticipated liking Champagne and sparkling white wine the most, and Moscato and Prosecco the least, but on tasting, could only readily identify the Moscato and sparkling red wines, as the most contrasting wine styles. As such, liking scores for the Champagne and sparkling white wine were significantly lower based on tasting (median scores were 6.0, compared with 9.0 and 8.0 for survey responses, respectively). Consumers’ preconceived expectations of different sparkling wine styles clearly influenced purchasing and consumption behavior. Aspirants and Enthusiasts were more likely to spend more per bottle for Champagne and sparkling white wine, and consumption of these sparkling wines was most frequently associated with celebratory occasions, such as anniversaries, birthdays, Christmas, New Year and weddings.

Effect of low temperature fermentation on the yeast-derived volatile aroma composition and sensory profile in Merlot wines

Different winemaking practices have been tried to improve wine quality and differentiate wine styles. Low temperature fermentation has been proposed to enhance the aroma profile in young red wines. The aim of this work was to study how fermentation temperature affects the chemical composition, the concentration of yeast-derived volatile aroma compounds and the overall quality of young red wines. Thermomacerated Merlot grape must was fermented at 15 °C and 25 °C using five different Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains. Wines fermented at 15 °C displayed higher ethanol concentration, whereas differences in volatile acidity and colour were more related to the yeast strain used than the fermentation temperature. Sensory analysis could discriminate the wines fermented at two temperatures for each yeast tested. Low temperature fermentation produced wines with higher ester and lower terpene content compared to fermentation at 25 °C, whereas the fatty acids and higher alcohol concentraions were more associated to the yeast strain employed. In general, wines produced at low temperature were perceived as more aromatic, although this effect was strain-dependent. In summary, we were able to obtain red wines whit improved organoleptic characteristics, by combining thermomaceration and low temperature fermentation with cold adapted autochthonous yeast strains.

Volatile and sensory composition of Brazilian Muscat sparkling wine and Asti

The aim of this study is to evaluate Muscat sparkling wines from the traditional Asti region (Italy) and the new geographical indication “IG Farroupilha” (Brazil). We analyzed 23 commercial Muscat sparkling wines from Asti and Farroupilha. Sample characterization of the aromatic profile by headspace-solid phase microextraction and gas chromatography detector yielded a total of 32 targeted components in Muscat wines. The multivariate analysis of data differentiates the Muscat sparkling wines based on origin: Brazilian or Italian. The main quantitative differences between wines are residual sugar, sulfite content, isoamyl acetate, hexyl acetate, limonene, rose oxide, linalool, and citronellol. The sensory analysis confirmed that Brazilian wines were less sweet with freshener aroma, whereas the Italian wines were more intense in aroma, complex, and sweet. These peculiarities can be associated with terroir, including technological processes that may be tailored to fit different wine styles for particular markets. Practical applications The chemical and sensorial characterizations of sparkling wines produced in regions with geographical indication are important to differentiate products made in different regions.

Effects of the irrigation regimes on grapevine cv. Bobal in a Mediterranean climate: I. Water relations, vine performance and grape composition

Climate change scenarios are predicting an increase in temperature as well as more scarce and torrential rainfall episodes. Due to this, an imbalance between grape technological and phenolic maturity is being observed detrimentally affecting grapes composition. In semi-arid areas, irrigation management is a main field practice to influence grape ripening. The goal of the present study was to investigate in Vitis vinifera L. cv. Bobal grapevine responses to three watering regimes: (i) Rainfed, (ii) deficit irrigation (DI) replacing only 35% of the estimated crop evapotranspiration (ETc) and (iii) full irrigation (FI) replacing 100% ETc. In the mid-summer, rainfed grapevines showed different degrees of water stress determined by midday stem water potentials (Ψstem) ranging from −1.1 to −1.4 MPa depening on the season. Rainfed plants had in all seasons less vigor and production and, at harvest, higher concentrations of total soluble solids (TSS) and grape phenolics compounds, as well as lower pH, with respect to the other water regimes studied. DI grapevines, generally, had intermediate values between Rainfed and FI, which presented extreme values of the studied parameters respect to Rainfed. The effects observed on grape color parameters and phenolic compounds with the Rainfed regime were mainly due to a dehydration of the berry, which lowered the yield and the weight of the berry compared to the irrigated treatments. The lower TSS accumulation in the DI berries with respect to the Rainfed, will favor obtaining wines with lower alcohol content, currently more demanded by the consumers. Besides, despite the differences obtained between water regime treatments in the TSS accumulation, the extractability of the anthocyanins was similar, which is interesting since anthocyanin extraction from grapes is prerequisite to the formation of stable red wine pigments. Although the most convenient irrigation strategy might depend to the wine style to be obtained, DI is a strategy that can help to close the gap in the imbalance between the technological and phenolic maturity, positively affecting vine yield and performance with respect to the rainfed strategy.