Consumer acceptability,sensory properties and expert quality judgements of Australian Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz wines

Background and Aims: This study aimed to determine what sensory attributes most drive consumer and expert acceptance for Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz wines. Methods and Results: The sensory attributes of a set of commercial wines were quantified by a trained panel. A subset was assessed blind for liking by 203 consumers and for quality by 67 winemakers. For the total group of consumers, wines with low levels of ‘bitterness’, ‘hotness’, ‘metallic’, ‘smoky’ and ‘pepper’ were preferred. In addition, four consumer clusters were identified, each with different sensory drivers of preference, with the attributes ‘red berry’, ‘floral’, ‘caramel’ and ‘vanilla’ aroma, ‘acidity’, ‘green’ flavour and astringency being of importance in distinguishing the different clusters' acceptance scores. The winemakers' quality scores had little relationship with consumer response, although both groups gave low ratings to wines with Brettanomyces-related flavour. Conclusions: A relatively small set of sensory attributes were of greatest importance to consumer liking, and these generally dominate varietal differences. Winemakers' quality concepts do not closely align with those of the consumers. Significance of the Study: This study identifies sensory properties of red wines which could be maximised as well as those which should be reduced, allowing producers to better meet consumers' preferences.     

Preference Mapping of Lemon Lime Carbonated Beverages with Regular and Diet Beverage Consumers

The drivers of liking of lemon‐lime carbonated beverages were investigated with regular and diet beverage consumers. Ten beverages were selected from a category survey of commercial beverages using a D‐optimal procedure. Beverages were subjected to consumer testing (n = 101 regular beverage consumers, n = 100 diet beverage consumers). Segmentation of consumers was performed on overall liking scores followed by external preference mapping of selected samples. Diet beverage consumers liked 2 diet beverages more than regular beverage consumers. There were no differences in the overall liking scores between diet and regular beverage consumers for other products except for a sparkling beverage sweetened with juice which was more liked by regular beverage consumers. Three subtle but distinct consumer preference clusters were identified. Two segments had evenly distributed diet and regular beverage consumers but one segment had a greater percentage of regular beverage consumers (P < 0.05). The 3 preference segments were named: cluster 1 (C1) sweet taste and carbonation mouthfeel lovers, cluster 2 (C2) carbonation mouthfeel lovers, sweet and bitter taste acceptors, and cluster 3 (C3) bitter taste avoiders, mouthfeel and sweet taste lovers. User status (diet or regular beverage consumers) did not have a large impact on carbonated beverage liking. Instead, mouthfeel attributes were major drivers of liking when these beverages were tested in a blind tasting. Practical Application : Preference mapping of lemon‐lime carbonated beverage with diet and regular beverage consumers allowed the determination of drivers of liking of both populations. The understanding of how mouthfeel attributes, aromatics, and basic tastes impact liking or disliking of products was achieved. Preference drivers established in this study provide product developers of carbonated lemon‐lime beverages with additional information to develop beverages that may be suitable for different groups of consumers.     

Consumer rejection threshold of ethyl phenylacetate and phenylacetic acid,compounds responsible for the sweet‐like off odour in wines made from sour rotten grapes

Backgrounds and Aims: This study aimed to determine a consumer rejection threshold (CRT) for ethyl phenylacetate (EPhA) and phenylacetic acid (PhAA) in wine. These compounds have recently been reported to be responsible for sweet‐like, honey off odours in wine made from sour rotten grapes. Methods and Results: Non‐expert wine consumers (n = 35) received pairs of samples comprising a control wine against a spiked wine with an ascending concentration of the target compounds and were asked to indicate which sample they preferred. Results estimated a conjoint CRT for EPhA and PhAA of 140 and 700 µg/L, respectively. Wines spiked with a EPhA and PhAA concentration around the CRT evoked intense ‘dried fruit’ aromas that led to a decrease of the general aroma quality; these wines are significantly rejected by consumers. Conclusions: The measured CRT provides an initial estimation of the risk concentration for EPhA and PhAA in red wine, as they represent a ‘taint’ for regular wine consumers. Significance of the Study: These data allow wine producers to predict if a given wine will be disliked by consumers or to help guide ‘blending away’ of such wines.     

中国黄酒风味感官特征及其风味轮的构建

首次对中国黄酒的风味轮进行绘制,由国家黄酒评委组成的品评小组结合消费者品评小组,对6种不同类型、不同特点的典型黄酒进行风味感官品评,给出黄酒风味感官基本描述语,对描述语进行筛选整理后,参照啤酒、葡萄酒及清酒风味轮,对描述语进行归类,绘制出中国黄酒风味轮。从黄酒风味轮描述语中,运用多元统计方法及ISO 11035感官描述语选择方法的国际标准,选择确定重要的、而且具有典型差异性的味觉和嗅觉描述语：甜味、苦味、涩味、酸味、鲜味、醇香、焦糖香、果香、药香、烟气香、曲香及蜂蜜香12个作为构成黄酒风味轮廓的主要描述语。这些描述语分别经由国家黄酒评委和消费者应用于黄酒描述分析,表明可以表征中国黄酒主要的基本风味感官特征,可用于黄酒基本描述性感官分析。     

Sensory evaluation of black pigmented rice (Oryza sativa cv. Poireton) wine fortified with probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 4356 and Lactobacillus sakei ATCC 15521 using fuzzy logic

Rice wine was prepared in the laboratory from a black pigmented rice (cv. Poireton) using standardized methodology. The wine was fortified with the probiotic strains Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 4356 and Lactobacillus sakei ATCC 15521 and allowed to undergo a storage period of 28 days at 4°C. These rice wines were compared with a commercial wine used as a standard reference wine. A panel consisting of 30 judges performed the sensory evaluation. The scores obtained were based on the quality attributes of colour, taste, aroma and alcoholic strength. Analysis of the sensory scores and ranking of the different samples were performed using fuzzy analysis. The quality attributes were also ranked according to their importance in the overall acceptability. Colour and alcoholic strength were accorded the highest importance, compared with aroma and taste, as quality attributes. The rice wines were rated as ‘not satisfactory’, ‘fair’, ‘medium’, ‘good’ and ‘excellent’ on the sensory scale. Out of the wines prepared, black pigmented rice wine fortified with L. acidophilus was the most acceptable and was ranked as ‘good’, which was also at par with the commercial wine. On the other hand, black pigmented rice wine fortified with L. sakei and black pigmented rice wine fortified with L. acidophilus and L. sakei were ranked in the ‘satisfactory’ category followed by the unfortified wine ranked in the ‘fair’ category. Copyright © 2015 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling     

Dynamic changes of taste experiences in wine and cheese combinations

The ideal cheese and wine combination might be relatively subjective, depending on personal preference, context factors, previous knowledge and experience of food and wine. The aim of this study was to (I) explore consumer liking for wine and cheese pairs; to (II) explore whether either wine or cheese dominates a combination and to (III) understand the relationship between consumer liking and the dynamic taste experience. Consumer testing was performed in a restaurant setting where 45 consumers evaluated liking and dominance of combinations of cheese and wine as a part of a conference lunch. In a laboratory, Temporal Dominance of Sensation (TDS) was used to analyse the dynamic responses of five wines and Roquefort Société tasted in a mixed tasting. Results show significant differences between the wines for dominance and liking for the wines and cheese. A sweet and fruity dessert wine together with the cheese scored high for liking and no dominance was indicated of either wine or cheese. TDS is found to be a useful method to provide additional information about sensory attributes that give a high liking score, showing the dynamic in the eating process.     

基于地域喜好差异的液态乳关键属性优化方法

随着居民消费水平的升级,产品的精细化和个性化成为配方设计新趋势,如何根据不同地区消费者的感官 喜好差异性指导产品配方设计成为新型消费形式下的需求。本研究以不同配方的液态乳产品为对象,开展评价小组 和消费者对风味液态乳产品关键感官属性的感官评价,采用偏相关分析、Penalty分析等多元统计分析方法,多角度 进行风味特征关联性分析,并利用偏好图对分析型感官分析（感官属性强度测量）和情感型感官分析（消费者喜好度 测量）结果进行综合处理,针对不同地区消费人群的喜好差异确定液态乳样品的关键感官属性改进方案。通过配方模 型优化结果可知,上海地区消费者喜欢偏甜的样品,相对的,北京和成都地区消费者偏爱酸甜适中的样品,三个地区 消费者都喜欢乳香味较大、口感细腻的样品,北京地区消费者对稠厚感的要求没有成都和上海地区消费者高。     

Alcohol,Tannins, and Mannoprotein and their Interactions Influence the Sensory Properties of Selected Commercial Merlot Wines: A Preliminary Study

The objective of this study was to assess the influence of the interaction among alcohol, tannins, and mannoproteins on the aroma, flavor, taste, and mouthfeel characteristics of selected commercial Merlot wines. Merlot wines (n = 61) were characterized for wine chemistry parameters, including pH, titratable acidity, alcohol, glucose, fructose, tannin profile, total proteins, and mannoprotein content. Agglomerative clustering of these physicochemical characteristics revealed 6 groups of wines. Two wines were selected from each group (n = 12) and profiled by a trained sensory evaluation panel. One wine from each group was evaluated using the electronic tongue (e‐tongue). Sensory evaluation results showed complex effects among tannins, alcohol, and mannoproteins on the perception of most aromas, flavors, tastes, and mouthfeel attributes (P < 0.05). The e‐tongue showed distinct differences among the taste attributes of the 6 groups of wines as indicated by a high discrimination index (DI = 95). Strong correlations (r² > 0.930) were reported between the e‐tongue and sensory perception of sweet, sour, bitter, burning, astringent, and metallic. This study showed that interactions among wine matrix components influence the resulting sensory perceptions. The strong correlation between the e‐tongue and trained panel evaluations indicated the e‐tongue can complement sensory evaluations to improve wine quality assessment.     

Amelioration of smoke taint in wine by reverse osmosis and solid phase adsorption

Background and Aims: Wines made from grapes harvested from vineyards exposed to bushfire smoke can exhibit objectionable ‘smoky’, ‘cold ash’, ‘medicinal’ and ‘ashy’ aroma and flavour characters. This study evaluated a combined reverse osmosis and solid phase adsorption process as a potential amelioration method for the treatment of smoke‐tainted wines. Methods and Results: Smoke‐tainted wines were treated using either pilot or commercial scale reverse osmosis systems and the chemical composition and sensory properties of wine compared before and after treatment. The concentrations of smoke‐derived volatile phenols, including marker compounds, guaiacol and 4‐methylguaiacol, decreased significantly with treatment. As a consequence, diminished smoke‐related sensory attributes enabled treated wines to be readily differentiated from untreated wines. However, the taint was found to slowly return with time, likely because of hydrolysis of glycoconjugate precursors, which were not removed during the treatment process. Conclusions: Reverse osmosis and solid phase adsorption reduced the concentration of smoked‐derived volatile phenols and improved the sensory attributes of smoke‐tainted wines. Significance of the Study: This is the first study to evaluate the amelioration of smoke taint in wine using reverse osmosis and solid phase adsorption.     

Amelioration of smoke taint in wine by treatment with commercial fining agents

Background and Aims: Fermentation of smoke‐affected grapes can lead to wines that exhibit objectionable smoke‐related sensory attributes, i.e. smoke taint. Fining agents are routinely used at different stages of the winemaking process to address constituents that are considered to adversely affect juice or wine quality. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of commercial fining agents in reducing the concentration of volatile phenols and the intensity of sensory attributes associated with smoke‐tainted wine. Methods and Results: Smoke‐affected wines were treated with a range of fining agents, two of which, an activated carbon and a synthetic mineral, were found to appreciably ameliorate the taint. Treated wines contained a significantly lower level of smoke‐derived volatile phenols and exhibited less intense ‘smoke’ and ‘cold ash’ aromas, ‘smoky’ flavour and ‘ashy’ aftertaste, compared with that of untreated (control) wines; with little or no impact on wine colour. Conclusions: Selected fining agents can ameliorate smoke taint in wine. Whereas most fining agents showed poor specificity towards the wine components responsible for smoke taint, some, an activated carbon in particular, were highly effective. Significance of the Study: This research identifies a treatment that can be used to mitigate the impact of grapevine exposure to smoke on wine composition and sensory properties.