Improvement of winemaking process using pulsed electric fields at pilot-plant scale. Evolution of chromatic parameters and phenolic content of Cabernet Sauvignon red wines

The influence of the application of a continuous pulsed electric fields treatment (PEF treatment) to grape pomace on the evolution of colour and phenolic content of Cabernet Sauvignon red wines has been investigated. Wine from grape treated by PEF presented at the end of alcoholic fermentation higher colour intensity (CI), total polyphenol index (TPI) and total anthocyanic content (TAC) than control wine. This effect was observed even although maceration time for PEF wine was 48 h shorter than for control. Differences remained during malolactic fermentation and maturation. After 4 months of aging in bottle, CI, TPI and TAC of PEF wine were 38%, 22% and 11% higher respectively than the control. HPLC phenolic profiles of wines were qualitatively similar, without detecting a selective effect on any phenol. No significant differences in sensory attributes between wines were detected. Results indicate that PEF is a promising technology in red winemaking for reducing the maceration time and increasing colour and phenolic extraction.     

Effect of the winemaking technique on phenolic composition and chromatic characteristics in young red wines

The effect of six winemaking techniques (traditional, prefermentative maceration, delestage, Ganimede fermentation system, enzymes and tannins addition, or oak chip addition during alcoholic fermentation) on phenolic composition and chromatic characteristics of young red wines, elaborated from Mencía grapes grown in Galicia (northwestern Spain), was studied. The evolution of phenolic compounds from grapes to bottling and its influence on CIELab parameters were investigated. After bottling, 26 phenolic compounds were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and their influence on colour stability for ageing was evaluated. Principal component analysis allowed the differentiation of the winemaking techniques studied on the base of phenolic composition, which is correlated with polymerization grade of anthocyanins. This paper can contribute to improve the knowledge about the importance of selecting the winemaking technique to elaborate high-quality young red wines and to evaluate their ability for ageing. So, the addition of enzymes and tannins seems to be the most adequate winemaking technique to elaborate red wines for ageing as it results in the formation of major number of pigmented polymers that are stable over time. Nevertheless, the prefermentative maceration, Ganimede autowinemaker and the addition of oak chips can be used for the elaboration of young red wines.     

Effect of Esca disease on the phenolic and sensory attributes of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes,musts and wines

Background and Aims: The impact of Esca, a cryptogamic disease affecting woody tissues of grapevines (trunk, branches and shoots), was investigated on phenolic and sensory qualities of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, derived musts and wines. Methods and Results: Global phenolic analyses revealed no major difference between healthy and affected grapes whereas high‐performance liquid chromatography analyses showed decreases in the skin concentrations of catechin and epicatechin and of anthocyanins for the two vintages assessed. Proanthocyanidin characteristics, and particularly mean degree of polymerisation, were strongly decreased in skin proanthocyanidin polymeric fractions. Chemical analyses of wines made with different percentages of fruit from Esca infected grapevines confirmed the moderate impact of Esca on phenolic composition. Nevertheless, sensory analyses revealed a loss of wine sensory quality perceptible with as little as 5% of affected fruit in wines. Conclusions: Phenolic variations in grapes and in derived wines may be related to changes to grapevine physiology caused by Esca fungi that impact on flavonoid metabolism. The chemical and sensory variations between wines can also be related to the delayed ripening delay of fruit from Esca infected grapevines. Significance of the Study: Esca moderately affected the phenolic composition of grapes and decreased the sensory quality of wines, suggesting a dramatic increase in the economic importance of Esca if no control methods are found.     

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.     

The effect of bentonite fining at different stages of white winemaking on protein stability

Background and Aims: Bentonite fining to remove protein is the most widely used treatment to prevent protein haze in white wines. Bentonite can be added at different stages during winemaking. This study aimed to determine the best time to add bentonite. Methods and Results: Unstable juices were vinified after bentonite fining of juice, or with bentonite added either early or late in fermentation. Different addition rates of bentonite were used and bentonite was either added in one or two additions. Fermentation rates were observed and protein stability and bentonite fining rates of the resultant wines were determined. Conclusions: Adding bentonite during fermentation or fining finished wines was the most efficient option in terms of amounts of bentonite required. Fermenting with bentonite present also may increase fermentation rates. Significance of the Study: Using the least bentonite necessary for heat stability is important for winemakers for quality, cost and environmental reasons. This study describes ways in which bentonite addition rates can be minimised.     

Influence of grape composition and winemaking on the anthocyanin composition of red wines of Tannat

The anthocyanin composition of Tannat red wines obtained with four winemaking techniques was evaluated in different years. The wines were elaborated with traditional maceration (TM), cold pre‐fermentative maceration, delayed extraction of anthocyanins and extended maceration. Two vinifications were carried out for each technique, employing 70 kg of grapes in each one. The anthocyanin composition of wines was analysed by high‐performance liquid chromatography–diode array detection. The results confirm the fundamental role of the grape composition on the anthocyanin composition of the wines. The winemaking had an important effect on the total concentration of anthocyanins and also may modify the anthocyanic profile of wines. The wines obtained with TM had higher or similar content of anthocyanins than those elaborated with the other techniques. Canonical discriminant analysis of data showed that vintage has a greater effect on anthocyanin concentration than winemaking techniques.     

The effect of pulsed electric fields on the inactivation and structure of lysozyme

The effect of pulsed electric fields (PEF) on the activity and structure of lysozyme selected as a model enzyme was investigated. The inactivation of lysozyme in phosphate buffer was a function of electric field strength, treatment time, electrical conductivity, and enzyme concentration. No significant (p > 0.05) change in the activity of PEF-treated lysozyme was found after storage for 12, 24 and 48 h at 4 °C. The effect of PEF on tertiary structure of lysozyme was demonstrated by second-derivative UV spectra and intrinsic fluorescence. The results indicated that the unfolding of tertiary structure was induced by PEF treatment at 35 kV/cm for 1200 μs, and more tyrosine residues were buried inside the protein after PEF treatment, accompanied by the exposure of more tryptophan residues. CD spectra suggested that the inactivation of lysozyme by PEF was closely related to the loss of α-helix of secondary structure.     

柚皮苷与脉冲电场对酿酒酵母的协同致死作用

研究了抑菌剂柚皮苷和脉冲电场(PEF)对酿酒酵母的协同致死效果。结果表明,柚皮苷和PEF单独作用时,均对酿酒酵母有一定的抑制或者致死作用,且当两者协同处理酿酒酵母后,其致死效果得到显著提升。酿酒酵母经0.7 g/L柚皮苷处理5 h后,在20 kV/cm场强下分别处理2400、3600、4800μs,酿酒酵母协同处理致死菌率分别是PEF单独处理时的2.29、1.95和1.16倍;是柚皮苷单独处理时的1.95、2.41和2.84倍。这说明抑菌剂柚皮苷与脉冲电场在对微生物杀菌方面具有协同增效作用。     

Evaluation of different Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains for red winemaking. Influence on the anthocyanin,pyranoanthocyanin and non-anthocyanin phenolic content and colour characteristics of wines

The possible industrial use of three previously-selected Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains (1EV, 2EV and 7EV) has been studied in musts derived from Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon. The anthocyanin, pyranoanthocyanin and non-anthocyanin phenolic content, and colour characteristics of the resulting wines have been compared to those of a commercial strain. Anthocyanins were the compounds most influenced by the yeast strain. Independently of the grape variety, wines derived from 2EV presented significantly higher anthocyanin concentrations than those derived from 1EV and 7EV, which presented similar contents. With the exception of hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives, no particular influence of the yeast strain was observed on the remaining non-anthocyanin phenolic compounds (i.e, hydroxybenzoic acids and flavanols). Pyranoanthocyanins and metabolites resulting from the alcoholic fermentation such as tyrosol and tryptophol, seemed to be more influenced by the must composition and pH, and thus, by the grape variety, than by the yeast strain.     

Comparison of fining red wines with purified grape pomace versus commercial fining agents: effect on wine chromatic characteristics and phenolic content

The large quantity of grape pomace (seeds, skin, and peduncle) produced during the winemaking process can be a problem and the search for procedures which could permit their valorisation is considered an important issue. This study investigates the use of purified grape pomace as a fining agent for reducing the level of some wine phenolic compounds, especially tannins. For this, purified grape pomace was applied to three young red wines of different phenolic composition and the results were compared with the effect of some common commercial fining agents. The results demonstrated that grape pomace can be used to decrease the wine tannin content with similar results to those obtained with casein, while also reducing anthocyanin content although to a similar extent to when bentonite is used. The effect of purified Monastrell grapes pomace is similar in the three different studied wines although it affected the most to wines with high monomeric anthocyanin content.     

Assessment of grey mould (Botrytis cinerea) impact on phenolic and sensory quality of Bordeaux grapes,musts and wines for two consecutive vintages

Background and Aims: The impact of grey mould (Botrytis cinerea (B. cinerea)) was quantified on chemical, phenolic and sensory qualities of grapes, derived musts and wines. Methods and Results: Analyses were carried out by using naturally or artificially infected grape berries at ripeness or overripeness. In grape seeds, chemical analyses revealed no major differences between healthy and rotten grapes. In grape skins of Botrytis‐affected berries, concentrations of all the phenolic compounds (anthocyanins and proanthocyanidin monomers, dimers and trimer) decreased drastically. Mean degree of polymerization of the proanthocyanidin polymeric fraction was also affected in skins. Chemical analyses of musts and wines made with different percentages of rotten berries showed a moderate impact of the pathogen on their phenolic composition. Nevertheless, sensory analyses underlined a loss of wine sensory quality perceptible from a threshold as low as 5% of Botrytis‐affected grapes onwards. Conclusion: Phenolic variations and the associated negative impact in grapes, derived musts and wines may be related to oxidation phenomena from B. cinerea. The main effects of severity/age of grey mould and the level of berry maturity are also discussed. Significance of the Study: B. cinerea drastically affects the phenolic and organoleptic properties of grape skins and derived wines. Therefore, prophylactic actions early in the vineyard, evaluation of the sanitary status of the harvested grapes and berry sorting are primordial even under low disease pressure.     

Influence of winemaking techniques on the resveratrol content, total phenolic content and antioxidant potential of red wines

In this paper, the influence of winemaking techniques and cultivars on the resveratrol content, total phenolic content and antioxidant potential of red wines was studied. Wines were made from the cultivars Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Prokupac. Applied winemaking technologies included thermovinification and separation of must from pomace. The analysis of trans- and cis-resveratrol in wines was performed by HPLC, while the total phenolic content and antioxidant potential was determined by spectrophotometric methods. The total resveratrol content in analysed samples ranged from 0.35 to 4.85 mg/l; Merlot wines had the highest average resveratrol content, while the lowest was found for native cultivar Prokupac. Although the resveratrol content depended on grape variety, correlation between the winemaking technology applied and the resveratrol level in wines was not observed. The total phenolic content (TPC) varied from 544.4 to 1410.4 mg/l expressed as gallic acid equivalents, and the antioxidant potential, assayed by DPPH in terms of SC₅₀ (mean scavenging concentration), ranged from 0.58 to 2.91 μl/ml. Obtained results showed that thermovinificated wine samples had higher amount of phenolic compounds. Significant negative correlation was observed (p < 0.05) between the total phenolic content and SC₅₀, but there was no significant correlation (p > 0.05) between the resveratrol content and SC₅₀ or TPC. This study could contribute to the establishment of optimal conditions for producing red wines which contain more beneficial phenolic compounds.