Changes in phenolic compounds and colour in pale Sherry wines subjected to fining treatments

 Changes in the concentrations of hydroxybenzoic acids, hydroxycinnamic acids and their esters, monomeric and dimeric derivatives of flavan-3-ol, and flavonols, as well as in the UV-visible absorbances of pale Sherry wines were studied. The wines were subjected to four different fining treatments: casein + bentonite, casein + bentonite + activated charcoal, casein + bentonite + polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVPP) and casein + bentonite + Riduxhigh. Based on the results, the treatments including activated charcoal and PVPP were the most effective at decreasing the overall concentration phenolic compounds, with no significant difference between them. Likewise, these treatments provided the best results in relation to wine colour in the visible spectral region, and particularly at 420 nm, at which wavelength browning compounds are usually measured. Received: 24 March 1997 / Revised version: 11 June 1997     

Changes in phenolic compounds and colour in pale Sherry wines subjected to fining treatments

 Changes in the concentrations of hydroxybenzoic acids, hydroxycinnamic acids and their esters, monomeric and dimeric derivatives of flavan-3-ol, and flavonols, as well as in the UV-visible absorbances of pale Sherry wines were studied. The wines were subjected to four different fining treatments: casein + bentonite, casein + bentonite + activated charcoal, casein + bentonite + polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVPP) and casein + bentonite + Riduxhigh. Based on the results, the treatments including activated charcoal and PVPP were the most effective at decreasing the overall concentration phenolic compounds, with no significant difference between them. Likewise, these treatments provided the best results in relation to wine colour in the visible spectral region, and particularly at 420 nm, at which wavelength browning compounds are usually measured. Received: 24 March 1997 / Revised version: 11 June 1997     

Colour of Amontillado wines aged in two oak barrel types

The colour of 123 Amontillado wines from “Condado de Huelva” Designation of Origin, made from white grapes of the Zalema variety and slowly aged in different types of wood casks, has been studied. Colour differences due to different materials from which the casks were manufactured (Spanish and American oak wood) have been appreciated. Tristimulus methods have been applied following the recommendations of the International Commission on Illumination (CIE). Colour parameters (, , , , h _ab10) from CIELAB space and saturation () from CIELUV space have been used for calculus. The results indicated differences for lightness and saturation, which allows one to establish the areas of predominant colour for the characterisation of the colour of this type of wines. Multivariate statistical analysis demonstrated that different groups of selected variables give similar results, meaning that the wines aged in American oak barrels and Spanish oak barrels show significant (p<0.05) differences in colour variables. Three supervised learning methods, classification tree, linear discriminant analysis and back-propagation artificial neural network, have been applied for distinguishing between classes.     

Proteins in white wines: Thermo-sensitivity and differential adsorbtion by bentonite

Protein fractions in a Chardonnay wine (invertases, glucanases, chitinases and thaumatin-like proteins) were identified using 2D-electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. The sensitivity of these fractions to heat-induced denaturation and precipitation following heat-treatments at different temperatures was studied and compared to their affinity for bentonite, a clay used to adsorb proteins and stabilise wines with regards to protein hazes. The different proteins exhibited different sensitivity with regards to heat-induced precipitation, glucanases being the most sensitive and invertases the least. Thaumatines and chitinases were characterised by a wide range of behaviours attributed to structural micro-heterogeneities. Protein depletion upon the addition of increasing bentonite doses was also dependent on the considered fraction. A good correlation was shown between protein affinity for bentonite and their sensitivity to heat precipitation. Results were discussed considering the current winemaking practices used to assess white wine stability and define bentonite doses needed to achieve their stabilisation.     

Volatile components of Zalema white wines

The volatile composition of young white wines from Vitis vinifera cv. Zalema, an autochthonous grape variety in Huelva (southern Spain), has been studied by gas chromatography-olfactometry (GC-O) and techniques of quantitative analysis. This is the first time that an olfactometric analysis has been reported in wines made from this grape variety. The quantitative chemical study has shown 71 volatile compounds, of which 23 were in concentrations above their thresholds. On the basis of the odour activity values (OAVs), the most potent odorants were fermentative compounds, mainly fatty acids and their ethyl esters. Two norisoprenoids, β-damascenone and β-ionone, two alcohols (isoamyl alcohol and β-phenylethanol), three volatile thiols, 4-mercapto-4-methyl-2-pentanone, 3-mercaptohexyl acetate and 3-mercapto-1-hexanol, and two carbonyl compounds (acetaldehyde and phenylacetaldehyde) also exhibited OAVs > 1. The GC-O study corroborated these results, showing that five esters (isoamyl acetate, ethyl hexanoate, ethyl butyrate, ethyl isovalerate and ethyl octanoate), isoamyl alcohol and β-damascenone can be considered as the most powerful odorants of Zalema wines.     

Cabernet Sauvignon wines from two different clones, characterization and evolution during bottle ageing

Phenolic compounds constitute important quality parameters of wines. Wines produced from different clones of the same grape variety show differences in relation to their chemical composition. The aim of this study was to characterize and differentiate Cabernet Sauvignon wines from two clones in relation to their chemical composition and to examine changes in the phenolic composition and antioxidant activity during wine ageing in the bottle. All wines were produced with Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, clones 685 and 169, from two vineyards, under the same microvinification conditions. The wines were characterized in relation to phenolic composition and antioxidant activity, as well as monitored over 11 months of bottle ageing. A significant difference was observed between the chemical compositions of the wines produced from clones 169 and 685, clone 169 showing the highest phenolic content while clone 685 had better color characteristics. The wines showed high antioxidant activity. Principal components and cluster analyses demonstrated separation of the wine according to the clone. In relation to wine bottle ageing, for both clones evaluated was observed a decrease in all phenolic compound, except of quercetin, and the antioxidant activity of these wines increased during storage.     

Aroma series as fingerprints for biological ageing in fino sherry‐type wines

BACKGROUND: The contribution of flor yeasts and wood to the ageing of fino sherry type wines was studied by using capillary column gas chromatography to analyse 72 aroma compounds in wines subjected to biological ageing. The odour activity values (OAVs) for the different compounds were classified into eight odorant series that describe the aroma profile of these wines (fruity, chemical, balsamic, vegetable, fatty, empyreumatic, floral and spicy). RESULTS: The fruity samples made up the major series followed by the fatty and spicy at the end of the ageing period. The application of a linear regression model to the OAVs for the different series revealed that the fruity series, which is related to the flor yeasts activity, and the spicy series, which includes the compounds released by wood, are those most closely representing the changes in the aroma of these wines during their ageing. CONCLUSIONS: The comparison of the OAVs for fruity and spicy series along the ageing period can be used to establish a balance between the aroma compounds contributed by the flor yeasts and those extracted from the wood. This balance should be particularly considered in works aimed at shortening the ageing time for these wines. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Nitrogen compounds and polysaccharides changes during the biological ageing of sherry wines

Biologically aged sherry wines are elaborated by the so called “criadera” and “solera” system, which essentially involves development of the yeast on the wine surface forming a film velum for several years. In this work, a study on the changes that take place in polysaccharide and nitrogen compounds during the elaboration of sherry wines has been undertaken. The evolution of monosaccharides derived from polysaccharides as well as of amino acids and polypeptides have been investigated in wine samples at different stages of the elaboration process (young wines, “sobretablas”, “criaderas” and “solera”). Mannose, galactose, glucose and arabinose were detected in all analyzed wines; mannose being the most abundant carbohydrate, particularly in wines that aged longer. Glucose and galactose content also increased during the biological ageing of these wines, whereas arabinose concentration lowered during all period. Nitrogen compounds experimented a decrease and even some amino acids were not detected at the end of the ageing. Considering the increase in mannose and the decrease in amino acid levels, it is presumable that autolysis and growth of yeast occur at the same time during the elaboration of the sherry wines.     

Binding of oak volatile compounds by wine lees during simulation of wine ageing

The retention of wine volatile compounds by wine lees could have an influence on the quality of the product. The aim of this work was to study the binding of wine volatile compounds from oak wood by the wine lees during simulation of wine ageing. The compounds with the most affinity for the lees were eugenol, 4-propylguaiacol, 4-methylguaiacol, furfural and 5-methylfurfural. Lees also bound other compounds important for aroma in aged wine such as oak lactones, although to a lesser degree. Guaiacol and γ-nonalactone were the only compounds studied that were not bound by the lees. Because the lees bind important compounds to wine aroma, ageing red wine in oak barrel in presence of lees could diminish the impact of the aromatic compounds from oak wood on wine aroma.     

Sensory and chemical effects of two alternatives of prefermentative cold soak in Malbec wines during winemaking and bottle ageing

Two alternatives of cold soak (CS), traditional external refrigeration (CS‐T) and use of solid CO₂ (CS‐DI), were evaluated in Malbec wines and contrasted against a control (C) during winemaking and up to 24 months of bottle ageing. Sugar consumption up to 5 g L day^‐1 was observed in CS‐T during the CS period. Both the viability of the population of Saccharomyces and non‐Saccharomyces were maintained during CS. CS‐T was detrimental for the anthocyanin and phenolic content and caused a reduction of absorbance in the visible spectrum of the wines relative to C and CS‐DI. CS‐DI had an early positive effect in the anthocyanin content and chromatic properties, but this effect subsided after 6 months of bottle ageing relative to C. From a sensory standpoint, CS‐T had the lowest colour saturation and a marked acetaldehyde character. CS‐DI wines were the most saturated in colour at press and early ageing, whereas a balsamic‐like aroma developed during bottle ageing. C wines were characterised by red fruits aroma, reduction and astringency early during winemaking, but a decrease in astringency and the reduction character occurred during bottle ageing.     

Evolution of the colour,antioxidant activity and polyphenols in unusually aged Sherry wines

The present paper reports the results of a study monitoring several key analytical parameters in a set of aged samples of vintages from 1999 back to 1935. The analysed parameters were: colour, antioxidant activity, low molecular weight phenolics, index of total polyphenols and SO₂ content.     

Effect of micro-oxygenation on the evolution of aromatic compounds in wines: Malolactic fermentation and ageing in wood

The effect of micro-oxygenation on the aromas of two varietal wines (Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon) when alcoholic fermentation is complete was examined. Several factors, such as whether malolactic fermentation (MLF) took place in barrels or stainless steel vats and ageing time in oak barrels, were taken into account. Major aroma components were studied using GC-FID and minor compounds were studied by GC-MS analysis before and after MLF and after 4 and 8 months of maturation in oak barrels. Sensorial analysis was performed to describe and quantify the different wine notes. Micro-oxygenation affects different compounds but the effect depends to a great extent on the grape varietal used; the effect of micro-oxygenation was more marked on the aroma of Cabernet Sauvignon wine than Tempranillo wines. The concentration of extractable compounds of wood was higher in wines after MLF in barrels than in wines after MLF in steel vats; wines with steel vat MLF had fewer toast and wood notes. The compounds that showed significant differences in concentration after 8 months of maturation were present in higher concentrations in wines fermented in barrels than in stainless steel vats. Barrel-fermented wines were sweeter, with wood and toast notes, fewer alcohol notes and fewer reductive notes.     

Comparison of aromatic and phenolic compounds in cherry wines with different cherry cultivars by HS‐SPME‐GC‐MS and HPLC

To compare the influence of cultivars on the production of aroma compounds and polyphenols, eight cherry varieties (six sweet and two sour) were fermented into cherry wines, and their compositions were analysed. Results showed that by headspace solid microextraction coupled to gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (HS‐SPME‐GC‐MS), a total of twenty‐first aromatic compounds, mostly consisting of esters, acids, terpenoids and C₁₃‐norisoprenoids, were identified, and eleven polyphenols including five anthocyanins and six phenolic acids were quantified using HPLC. May Duck and Early Richmond wines contained significantly higher levels of phenolic acids (>42 mg L^?1) that were associated with high contents of chlorogenic and neochlorogenic acids and also relatively high amounts of octanoic acid and β‐damascenone (odour activity values ≥1000). Hongdeng, Zhifuhong and Bing wines were characterised by higher concentrations of anthocyanins (>41 mg L^?1) and also relatively higher levels of isopentyl acetate. Lapins and Governer Wcod wines were distinguished by lower concentrations of polyphenols and relatively higher contents of ethyl 3‐methylbutanoate.