Influence of training system on chromatic characteristics and phenolic composition in red wines

Chromatic characteristics and phenolic composition of red wines elaborated from Sousón and Brancellao grapes (Vitis vinifera L.), whose vines were trained in cordon and Guyot systems, were determined. This comparison was possible because there were no significant differences between yields for each one. Hue was the only significantly different chromatic parameter for both training systems and cultivars. In Sousón cultivar, saturation, colour intensity and red percentage were greater for Guyot system. Sousón cultivar trained in Guyot system and Brancellao cultivar trained in cordon system were characterized by higher total anthocyanin concentration. However, greater ionization index and flavanols reagent with dimethyl aminocinemaldehyde were associated with Guyot and cordon systems, respectively, independently on cultivar. Furthermore, gentisic acid, as well as malvidin-3-glucoside, petunidin-3-acetylglucoside and malvidin-3-caffeoylglucoside in less extension, permitted to differentiate training systems in both Sousón and Brancellao cultivars. Principal component analysis was also performed for a better understanding of the differences found.     

Changes in the volatile composition of red wines during aging in oak barrels due to microoxygenation treatment applied before malolactic fermentation

Microoxygenation is a wine-making technique consisting in the addition of small and controlled amounts of oxygen. This study has examined the effect of this technique on the volatile composition of two red single variety wines during two successive vintages. The microoxygenation treatment was applied at the end of alcoholic fermentation and before beginning malolactic fermentation. Once the microoxygenation treatment had finished, wines were aged in new American oak barrels for 12 months. The results obtained showed that the microoxygenation treatment did not cause significant changes in the varietal and fermentation volatile compounds, however microoxygenation slowed down the extraction of some of the volatile compounds extracted from wood. A varietal and vintage effect was also observed for some of the compounds studied.     

Effect of the prefermentative addition of copigments on the polyphenolic composition of Tempranillo wines after malolactic fermentation

The influence of the prefermentative addition of copigments and different winemaking technologies on the polyphenolic composition of Tempranillo red wines after malolactic fermentation was studied. Six experiments dealing with the prefermentative addition of caffeic acid, rutin, (+) catechin, white grape skin tannin, white grape seed tannin and control wines were realised. Three different winemaking technologies (traditional vinification, prefermentative cold maceration at 6–8 °C and cold soak at 0–2 °C with dry ice) were studied. Prefermentative addition of copigments increases anthocyanin copigmentation reactions and produces wines with a greater colour, a higher anthocyanin concentration, a superior contribution of anthocyanins to the colour of the wine, a superior percentage of tannins polymerised with polysaccharides and less astringency. Cold prefermentative maceration increases the extraction of polyphenols, the anthocyanin copigmentation reactions and the polymerisation reactions between tannins and polysaccharides. The effectiveness of the combination of copigments and prefermentative maceration treatments was demonstrated by the increase of the concentration of the polyphenolic compounds.     

Polyphenols and colour variability of red wines made from grapes harvested at different ripeness grade

Several red wines were elaborated in order to study the influence of the grape harvesting date (degree of maturity of the grape) on their chromatic characteristics and polyphenolic contents. Wines made from two grape varieties, at three different harvesting dates and from two consecutive vintages, were selected for this study. The results showed that the harvesting date of grapes (directly correlated with the degree of maturity of the grapes), influenced the chromatic characteristics of the wines, although their polyphenolic compositions were clearly different, especially in Cabernet Sauvignon wines. In general, higher intensities of blue or violet tones were detected in wines made from the grapes collected on the second harvesting date, in which the ratios anthocyanins/proanthocyanidins and anthocyanins/(proanthocyanidins + catechins) were the lowest. These ratios are proposed as probable indicators of the aptitude for wine ageing.     

The magnitude of copigmentation in the colour of aged red wines made in the Canary Islands

In order to study the magnitude of the copigmentation phenomenon in aged red wines, 84 samples of Listán negro wines were collected from several wineries in the Canary Islands. They were analysed at 1 and 2 years of age. The contribution of free anthocyanins, copigmented anthocyanins and polymeric pigments to the colour of wine, and the total phenols were determined. Moreover, coloured anthocyanins, total anthocyanins, percentage of total anthocyanins in coloured form and chemical age factor, and the chromatic characteristics of the wines were determined. The contribution to colour due to copigmented anthocyanins in these aged red wines remained at 22.3 and 18.5% (mean values) after 1 and 2 years of age, respectively, and the free anthocyanins at 37.0 and 32.5%. A comparison between the results obtained by Somers and Boulton methods has been established.     

Micro-oxygenation and oak chip treatments of red wines: Effects on colour-related phenolics,volatile composition and sensory characteristics. Part II: Merlot wines

The character of Merlot wines after the treatments of micro-oxygenation and subsequent chips addition, as regards the colour-related phenolics, volatile composition and sensory characteristics, was studied. An increase in the degree of polymerisation of red pigments and a decrease in the value of the red component of the colour (a^*) and the degree of co-pigmentation were observed. The concentrations of monomeric anthocyanins and anthocyanin-derived pigments, such as hydroxyphenyl-pyranoanthocyanins and anthocyanin-ethyl-flavan-3-ol adducts, significantly decreased. With regard to the wine aroma, the micro-oxygenation produced a decrease of some esters, alcohols and benzenic compounds and increased some terpenes and C₁₃-norisoprenoids. With regard to sensorial analysis, micro-oxygenation treatment resulted in higher scores for the red fruit and spicy attributes and caused the presence of new attributes (nutty and sweet fruit). This technique produces a lower level of the typical oak chip aromas (vanilla and woody) in Merlot wines.     

Micro-oxygenation and oak chip treatments of red wines: Effects on colour-related phenolics,volatile composition and sensory characteristics. Part I: Petit Verdot wines

In this paper, the effects of micro-oxygenation before malolactic fermentation and oak chip treatments on Petit Verdot red wines have been evaluated. Our attention was focused on the colour characteristics, the phenolic compounds related to the colour of red wine, the volatile compounds, and the sensory characteristics of the wines. The micro-oxygenation treatment promoted the stabilisation of red wine colour by increasing the formation of colour-related phenolic compounds (higher concentrations of pyranoanthocyanins and anthocyanin-ethyl-flavan-3-ol adducts). Red wine aroma quality was improved with the addition of oak chips (eugenol and 4-vinyl-guaiacol concentration increased). Micro-oxygenation treatment resulted in higher scores for the plum/currant and spicy attributes, as well as the appearance of tobacco and nutty notes which were absent in the non-treated wines. Nevertheless, the typical oak chip aromas (vanilla and woody) were observed to a lesser extent in wines obtained by micro-oxygenation.     

Influence of chips,lees and micro-oxygenation during aging on the phenolic composition of a red Sangiovese wine

A red Sangiovese wine was aged using separate or combined different technological treatments and techniques (chips, chips and micro-oxygenation, chips and lees and micro-oxygenation), to evaluate their influence on phenolic compounds.     

Influence of the refrigeration technique on the colour and phenolic composition of syrah red wines obtained by pre-fermentative cold maceration

The vinification technique called pre-fermentative cold maceration is used to enhance the anthocyans diffusion from the skins to the must, increasing the pigments extraction. For using this technique the application of low temperatures is needed. In this study, two different refrigerating methods (dry ice and cooling of grapes) have been assessed regarding the colour and the phenolic composition of the Syrah wines elaborated by applying pre-fermentative cold maceration. Results showed more intense and stable colours when grapes were previously refrigerated in cold-storage rooms, which showed higher values of chroma and more red-bluish hues. As regards phenolic composition, the cold maceration technique used yields to significant differences among the levels of phenolics, having higher levels of anthocyanins and some non-coloured phenols as flavonols in PR wines. Regarding the colour-composition relationships, it has been highlighted the importance of the co-pigments such as flavonols and cinnamic acids for classify the two groups of samples.     

Pre-bottling use of dehydrated waste grape skins to improve colour,phenolic and aroma composition of red wines

Different dehydrated waste grape skins from the juice industry were added into aged and young red wines as an innovative way of compensating for colour loss before bottling. After addition of grape skins, colour intensity of wines increased a mean 11% and a maximum of 31% with predominance of the red component. Total polyphenols mean increase was 10% with a maximum value of 20%. Analysis of low molecular weight phenolic compounds by HPLC–DAD showed a significant (p < 0.05) content increase of the bioactive compounds gallic acid, (+)-catechin, (−)-epicatechin, and (E)-resveratrol. Anthocyanins content also increased at an average of 50 mg/l. The volatile profile of wines analysed by SBSE–GC–MS was only moderately influenced by the treatments. Mixtures of dehydrated waste grape skins were useful to improve the colour and polyphenol profile of red wines, considering them a useful tool for correcting colour loss before bottling.     

Influence of the heterogeneity of grape phenolic maturity on wine composition and quality

Nowadays, consumers demand red wines with deep colour, soft tannins and fruit scents, but these wines can only be obtained from grapes with complete phenolic maturity. Diverse methods have been proposed for measuring phenolic maturity. However, all these methods only provide the average value and do not consider any possible heterogeneity. Throughout ripening, grapes were separated according to their density, which revealed the existence of a large heterogeneity. Grapes at harvest were also separated by density in three groups. The higher the density of the grapes the higher ethanol content, pH, colour intensity, total phenolic index and anthocyanin and proanthocyanidin concentrations, and the lower the titratable acidity and bitterness of the wines. When the grapes were denser the wines were also better balanced in flavour and mouthfeel sensation. These results suggest that grape heterogeneity may influence the final wine composition and quality and therefore it should be considered at harvest.     

Effect of storage on the phenolic content,volatile composition and colour of white wines from the varieties Zalema and Colombard

Different quality attributes and chemical components of wines change during storage as a function of a series of factors. Thus, in young white wines, changes in phenolics, that lead to modifications of their colour as a result of oxidation processes, are well-known. These reactions can also alter their volatile profile giving rise to the appearance of new aromas, which in some cases are undesirable. In this study we have carried out a thorough evaluation of the changes in the colour, volatiles and phenolics of Zalema and Colombard wines during 1 year of storage under different conditions of temperature and position. The phenolics and colour were more affected than was the volatiles profile and wines kept in the cold could be clearly distinguished from the others, whilst the position of the bottles onlt slightly affected the wines during storage. Results showed that the blending of Zalema wines with Colombard wines may be an appropriate means of enhancing the acidity of the former without dramatically affecting its character.     

Statistical interpretation of the color parameters of red wines in function of their phenolic composition during aging in bottle

The relationships between the color parameters (colorimetric indexes and CIELAB variables) and the phenolic components (anthocyanins, pyranoanthocyanins, hydroxybenzoic and hydroxycinnamic acids, flavanols and flavonols) of young red wines from Vitis vinifera L. cv. Tempranillo, Graciano and Cabernet Sauvignon (vintage 2000, Navarra, Spain), have been investigated during 26 months of wine aging in bottle (a period embracing their commercial life), through the application of different statistical analysis (principal component, correlation and polynomial regression). The results of the principal component analysis first indicated that for each variety a high degree of interrelation existed between the color parameters and the anthocyanin pigments. Moreover, it was found that for each variety the color parameters were correlated with the anthocyanins during aging in bottle. Finally, by the application of polynomial regression analysis, both anthocyanins (simple glucosides and acetyl-glucosides) and pyranoanthocyanins (anthocyanin-pyruvic acid adducts) were selected as the variables that best described the different color parameters during aging in bottle. However, differences were found between varieties in relation to the type of anthocyanin pigment selected for describing each color parameter, finally indicating the importance of the grape variety factor in the definition of the wine chromatic characteristics.     

Differences in the phenolic composition and sensory profile between red wines aged in oak barrels and wines aged with oak chips

The aim of this study was to evaluate the similarities or differences in the phenolic composition and the sensory characteristics between wines traditionally aged in new French and American barrels for different periods of time, and wines aged for 30 days with different kinds (different geographical origin al toasting degree) of oak chips. This study was carried out with two grape varieties, Mencía and Tinta del País, and in two consecutive vintages. The results obtained indicated that it was not possible to obtain wines aged with chips with sensory characteristics similar to those aged for a long time in new barrels, independently. However, the results showed that the use of oak chips could be a good alternative for elaborating young wines with slight olfactory and gustative wood notes quite similar to wines aged in new barrels for short periods of time (about three months).     

Effect of the modifier (Graciano vs. Cabernet sauvignon) on blends of Tempranillo wine during ageing in the bottle. II. Colour and overall appreciation

The effect of Graciano (GRA) (Spanish valuable variety of limited production) vs. Cabernet Sauvignon (CS) (world-wide known French variety) on the colour of wines from Tempranillo (TEM-base wine) (largely cultivated Spanish variety), was studied in wine blends prepared with 25% and 10% (v/v) of each modifier after 4, 6, 9, 16.5 and 23 months of ageing in the bottle. Although possessing pH values very similar to the base wine, the blends of TEM with GRA or CS wines showed chromatic changes (higher a*, C*, CI, %red and %dA, and lower h, %yellow, tint and L*) that were perceptible by the human eye, even when using as little as 10% of modifier wine. However, no differences in colour parameters were found between the TEM-GRA (90:10) and the TEM-CS (90:10) blends, and between the TEM-GRA (75:25) and the TEM-CS (75:25) ones, this being consistent with the results relating to the temporal evolution of anthocyanins and flavanols (Part I). Moreover, the results of the principal component analysis indicated that the degree of interrelation existing between the colour parameters and the phenolic components during ageing in the bottle was similar for the TEM-GRA and TEM-CS blends. From a practical point of view, the ANOVA analysis also demonstrated that for any of the modifier wines used, certain colour parameters and phenolic components allowed differentiation between the base wine and the 75:25 blends, whereas others allowed differentiation between the base wine and both the 90:10 and 75:25 blends, during the ageing period studied. Some similarities between GRA and CS as modifier wines of TEM blends were also found in terms of their organoleptic characteristics, also demonstrating that both varieties could render blended wines with better overall quality attributes than the base wine after 23 months of ageing in the bottle.     

Influence of grape variety and their phenolic composition on vasorelaxing activity of young red wines

Red wine has been reported to exert beneficial effects in preventing cardiovascular diseases probably due to their polyphenols constituents. The vasorelaxant capacity and phenolic composition of four monovarietal young red wines Merlot, Tempranillo, Garnacha and Cabernet-Sauvignon obtained from grapes from 2004 vintage, cultivated under the same climatic and agricultural conditions, wine-making technology and storage conditions, were determined using vascular reactivity assay in rat aortic and high-performance liquid chromatography, respectively. Primary cultures of vascular smooth muscle cells from Wistar rats were also used to evaluate their survival prevention activity as well. Every studied wine present vasorelaxation effect, but the higher value corresponds to the analyzed Merlot wine, especially rich in phenolic compounds, mainly catechins and oligomeric proanthocyanidins and anthocyanin glycosides. This study further demonstrated previous investigations about the phenolic composition of wines relation with their vasorelaxation activity.     

Techniques for improving or replacing ageing on lees of oak aged red wines: The effects on polysaccharides and the phenolic composition

Alternative techniques to the ageing on lees are being looked for in order to guarantee the improvements provided by this technique but eliminating its disadvantages. The aim of this work was to study the effect of ageing on lees and other alternative techniques (addition of β-glucanase enzymes to the lees; use of different yeast commercial preparations with or without β-glucanase enzymes; use of non-toasted oak chips; and ageing on lees together with micro-oxygenation) on the phenolic compounds, colour, proteins, polysaccharides and sensorial characteristics of red wines during vinification and ageing in oak barrels for 6 months on two consecutive vintages.