Effect of flash release and pectinolytic enzyme treatments on wine polysaccharide composition

Various treatments, including flash release and addition of pectic enzymes, have been proposed to enhance degradation of grape berry cell walls and extraction of aroma and phenolic compounds into the wines. The effect of flash release and enzyme treatment used separately or in combination on wine polysaccharide composition was studied. The flash release process increased extraction of polysaccharides originating from grape berry cell walls, that is, polysaccharides rich in arabinose and galactose (PRAGs) and type II rhamnogalacturonan (RG-II), thus yielding enriched wines. Increasing the duration of high-temperature exposure before the flash release treatment further increased extraction of polysaccharides. However, the wine obtained by pressing immediately after flash release and fermenting in the liquid phase contained lower amounts of grape polysaccharides, indicating that their extraction required skin maceration. The use of enzymes without or with flash release modified the composition and the structure of pectic polysaccharides. In particular, it induced the loss of PRAG terminal arabinose residues.     

Extraction of phenolics and changes in antioxidant activity of red wines during vinification.

The moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages has been associated with protection against the development of coronary heart disease. Although alcohol itself can help prevent coronary heart disease through a number of mechanisms, red wine appears to offer protection above and beyond that attributable to alcohol alone. Red wine is a complex fluid containing grape, yeast, and wood-derived phenolic compounds, the majority of which have been recognized as potent antioxidants. The aim of this study was to investigate the major phenolic contributors to the antioxidant activity of wine. To this end, four wines were followed during the first 7-9 days of vinification. Individual phenolic compounds were quantified by HPLC, and antioxidant activity was determined by electron spin resonance spectroscopy. The extraction of the phenolics was found to be influenced by vinification procedure, grape quality, and grape variety. Although fermenting wines reached a total phenolic content comparable to that of a bottled wine after 9 days of vinification, the antioxidant activity was significantly lower than that of a finished wine. This suggests that the larger polyphenolic complexes and condensation products that appear during aging make a sizable contribution to the overall antioxidant activity of red wines.     

Lead contamination in Portuguese red wines from the Douro region: from the vineyard to the final product

To quantify lead contamination in wines and to try to identify major lead sources, two winemaking processes were followed during one annual cycle of wine production. Two vineyards from the Douro Portuguese region and two types of wine, one red table wine, which has been produced in a very modern winery, and one red fortified wine (similar to Port), which has been produced by a traditional vinification process, were selected for this study. Aerosols from the vineyards atmosphere, vineyard soil, vine leaves, grapes, and samples from the intermediary and final wine product were collected. Suitable pretreatments, namely, high-pressure microwave assisted digestion (soil, leaves, and grapes) and UV-irradiation (grape juices and samples from the different steps of the vinification processes), were used. The samples were analyzed in terms of lead total concentration and respective isotope ratios by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and atomic absorption spectrophotometry with electrothermal atomization. It was observed that the major sources of lead were in the vinification system, the more traditional one introducing more lead than the modern one. For the fortified wine, the lead concentration increased from 4.7 microg L(-1), in the grape juice, to 17.2 microg L(-1), in the final product, while for the table wine the increase was from 4.1 to 13.1 microg L(-)(1). Therefore, only about 1/4 (fortified wine) and 1/3 (table wine) of the lead total content of the final products came from soil and atmospheric deposition. Therefore, it is expected that marked reductions of the lead content in the wines would occur if the sources of lead were removed from the tubes and containers used in the vinification system, particularly by using welding alloys and small fittings free of lead. The lead levels in the vine leaves (global mean of 0.43 microg g(dry leave)(-1)) and grapes (global mean of 35 ng g(dry grape)(-1)) were similar in both vineyards.     

Multielement composition of wines and their precursors including provenance soil and their potentialities as fingerprints of wine origin

The influence of the provenance soil and vinification process on the wine multielemental composition was investigated. For this purpose, two different vineyards from the Douro wine district, Portugal, were selected. Monovarietal grapes from a 10 year old vineyard were used to produce a red table wine, in a very modern winery. Polyvarietal grapes from a 60-70 year old vineyard were used to produce a red fortified wine, similar to Port, through a traditional vinification process. The multielement compositions (Al, As, B, Ba, Be, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Ga, Hf, Li, Mn, Mo, Nb, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sb, Sc, Sr, Ti, Th, Tl, U, V, W, Y, Zn, Zr, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu) of soil, grape juices (prepared in the laboratory), and samples collected in the different steps of each winemaking process were measured. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was used, after suitable pretreatment of the samples (by UV irradiation for liquid samples and high-pressure microwave digestion for soil). Both vinification processes influenced the multielement composition of the wines. Most of the elements presented similar or even lower concentrations in the wine as compared to that observed in the respective grape juice, probably as a result of precipitation or coprecipitation with suspended particles during fermentation and/or wine aging. Evidence of effective contamination during grape pressing, fermentation, and/or fining of wines (depending on the element) was observed for Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn in the fortified wine and Al, Cr, Fe, Ni, Pb, and V in the table wine. Nevertheless, significant correlations were obtained between the multielement composition of the wine and the respective grape juice (R = 0.997 and 0.979 for the fortified and table wines, respectively, n = 31, P < 0.01), as well as between that in the wine (median of the two studied wines) and the provenance soil (R = 0.994, n = 19, P < 0.01), for the set of elements determined in common in the different types of samples. These results are promising concerning the usefulness of the elemental patterns of both soil and wine as fingerprints of the origin of the studied wines. Nevertheless, more wines from the same and other wine districts must be studied in order to consolidate this conclusion. The multielement compositions of the studied wines were compared with those of wines of different characteristics and origins, as well as with the respective legal threshold limit values, when available. Relatively low metal levels, below their threshold limit values, were found in all cases.     

Influence of wine structurally different polysaccharides on the volatility of aroma substances in a model system

The influence of native polysaccharides on wine organoleptic quality has not been yet clarified. Hence, the effect of purified fractions of arabinogalactan-proteins (AGPs), monomeric and dimeric rhamnogalacturonans II (mRG-II and dRG-II), and mannoproteins (MPs) on the volatility of various aroma substances was examined using the exponential dilution technique. The volatility of isoamyl acetate and ethyl hexanoate in a model wine system was not affected upon addition of wine polysaccharides in the range 5-20 g/L. At higher levels, the two esters were significantly retained in solution in the presence of the protein-rich polysaccharides MP0 and AGP0 and weakly salted out in the presence of the uronic acid-rich fractions AGP4, mRG-II, and dRG-II. In addition, the volatility increase caused by dRG-II on the esters was reversed when water was used as the solvent. 1-Hexanol exhibited retention in water with four fractions in the strength order AGP0 > dRG-II > mRG-II > AGP4 but was strongly salted out in the presence of fraction MP0. Furthermore, the diacetyl activity in water was overall not modified increasing only at high concentrations of AGP4. Reference polysaccharides dextrin and dextran were used for binding strength comparison.     

Effect of aging on lees and of three different dry yeast derivative products on Verdejo white wine composition and sensorial characteristics

A study was made of the effect of aging on lees and of three different commercial yeast derivative products of different composition and degree of purification on the phenolic compounds, color, proteins, polysaccharides, and sensorial characteristics of white wines. The results obtained showed that the lees and yeast derivative products can interact or adsorb some of the phenolic compounds present in wines, reducing their concentration. This reduction depends on the treatment applied, the phenolic compound analyzed, and the stage of vinification or aging process. The use of lees and yeast derivative products can reduce the color intensity and the browning of the wines immediately following treatment. The monosaccharide and polysaccharide content of yeast derivative products depends on the manufacturing process and degree of purification of the product, both of which have an influence on wine treatments. After 6 months in the bottle, both the aging on lees and the treatment with commercial yeast derivative products gave rise to wines with better sensorial characteristics than in the case of the control wines.     

Optimizing the process of making sweet wines to minimize the content of ochratoxin A

During the drying process of raisins, the grapes are subjected to climatic variations that can result in heavy infections of some fungal species that produce ochratoxin A (OTA), a powerful toxic metabolite, whose maximum permitted content is set by the European Union at 2.0 μg/L for grapes, wine and other drinks derived from the grape. The aim of this paper is to optimize the process of making sweet wines in order to minimize the content of ochratoxin A. The results reflect a reduction of the OTA content in grapes dried under controlled conditions in a climatic chamber up to 24% compared to those sunned in the traditional way. A decrease of the concentrations of OTA is also observed during the processes of vinification. Those wines with prefermentative maceration reached a higher OTA content than the wines without maceration, but unexpectedly were not those preferred from a sensorial point of view. In addition, the process of aging in oak casks has been shown to serve as a natural method for reducing the OTA content of these wines.     

Foam aptitude of trepat and monastrell red varieties in cava elaboration. 2. Second fermentation and aging

The foam properties of sparkling wines (Cava) made from two red autochthonous grape varieties, Trepat and Monastrell, and coupages, including different percentages of them, were studied during second fermentation and aging. The effect of second fermentation on foam gave the highest decreases when the base wines had the highest foam values, while gave the lowest decreases or even increases for the base wines with the lowest foam characteristics. However, the greater the HM and Sigma of the base wine, the greater the foam values of the sparkling wine. Base wine determinations for quality control in cellars could provide information about future sparkling wine foaming. Acidity parameters, ethanol, sulfur, and polysaccharides contents were correlated to foam characteristics in the sparkling wines. In terms of color and foaming, wines made from the red varieties Trepat and Monastrell blended with white variety wines could be appropriate for elaborating "blanc de noirs" sparkling wines.     

Application of a modified method for 3-mercaptohexan-1-ol determination to investigate the relationship between free thiol and related conjugates in grape juice and wine

A method has been developed for determining 3-mercaptohexan-1-ol (3-MH) in wine and grape juice using gas chromatography with conventional electron ionization (EI) mass spectrometry. The limit of quantitation of 40 ng/L was achieved with excellent precision using stable isotope dilution analysis (SIDA) combined with headspace solid-phase microextraction (SPME) of derivatized 3-MH. This method was used in combination with HPLC-MS/MS analysis of the individual diastereomers of 3-S-cysteinylhexan-1-ol (Cys-3-MH) and 3-S-glutathionylhexan-1-ol (Glut-3-MH), which are known precursors of the volatile thiol 3-MH. Commercial and small-lot winemaking trials were evaluated to determine the concentrations of precursors and free 3-MH at various stages of grape processing and winemaking. Five Sauvignon blanc clones were also assessed for precursors and free thiol during ripening, revealing the presence of 3-MH in the unfermented juices and a stark increase in precursor concentrations in the latter stage of ripening. Additionally, differences due to sample freezing and mode of juice preparation were revealed for the precursors, and a set of commercially available wines was analyzed to investigate the amounts of precursors and free 3-MH in Sauvignon blanc and other white wine varieties. There was seemingly no relationship between precursor concentrations in juice and 3-MH concentrations in wine. This was somewhat understandable, because the formation of precursors appears to be a dynamic process affected by a multitude of factors, beginning with grape ripening and continuing during vinification.     

Biogenic amines in wines from three Spanish regions

One hundred and sixty-three wines from La Rioja, Utiel-Requena, and Tarragona were analyzed to determine if there were any differences in the concentrations of six biogenic amines that are found in these three regions. The influence of grape variety, type of vinification, wine pH, malolactic fermentation, and storage in bottle on biogenic amine concentrations was studied. Results show important differences in putrescine and histamine concentrations among regions, varieties of grape, and type of wine; differences were less appreciable for the remaining biogenic amines studied. Low pH prevented biogenic amine formation. Malolactic fermentation and short storage periods in bottle (3-6 months) showed increases in histamine concentration, whereas longer periods of storage led to a general decrease in histamine. Several strains of lactic acid bacteria were isolated in this work, and their ability to form biogenic amines was assayed in synthetic media, grape must, and wine. Grape varieties, different types of winemaking, pH, and lactic acid bacteria may be responsible for the differences observed in the biogenic amine concentrations of the wines analyzed.     

Ellagic acid and flavonoid antioxidant content of muscadine wine and juice

Antioxidant properties of flavonoids and ellagic acid were characterized in eight wines and juices produced by various processing methodologies from red and white muscadine grape cultivars (Vitis rotundifolia). Juices and wines were produced by hot- and cold-pressed techniques, and additional wine was produced following on-hull fermentation for 3, 5, and 7 days. Chromatographic conditions were developed to simultaneously separate anthocyanins, ellagic acid, and flavonols and correlated to a measurement of overall antioxidant capacity (AOX), and their changes were monitored after storage for 60 days at 20 and 37 degrees C. Regression coefficients between concentrations of individual polyphenolics and AOX ranged from 0.55 for ellagic acid to 0.90 for kaempferol. Both red and white wines had higher AOX values after storage than juices made from an identical grape press, despite lower concentrations of individual polyphenolic compounds. Red wines fermented on-hull had higher initial concentrations of antioxidant polyphenolics as compared to a corresponding hot-pressed juice, but changes in AOX during storage were more affected by time than by storage temperature despite lower concentrations of flavonoids and ellagic acid present at 37 degrees C as compared to 20 degrees C. Oxidative or polymerization reactions significantly decreased levels of monomeric anthocyanins during storage with the greatest losses observed for delphinidin and petunidin 3,5-diglucosides. Processing methods for muscadine wine and juice production were important factors influencing concentrations of antioxidant flavonoids and ellagic acid, while the role of fermentation and time had the greatest influence on retention of AOX properties during storage.     

Associations between the sensory attributes and volatile composition of Cabernet Sauvignon wines and the volatile composition of the grapes used for their production

The sensory properties of wine are influenced by the chemical composition of the grapes used to produce them. Identification of grape and wine chemical markers associated with the attributes perceived by the consumer of the wine will enable better prediction of the potential of a parcel of grapes to produce wine of a certain flavor. This study explores the relationships between Cabernet Sauvignon grape volatile composition and wine volatile profiles with the sensory properties of wines. Twenty grape samples were obtained from nine vineyard sites across three vintages and wines vinified from these parcels using controlled winemaking methods. The volatile composition of the grapes were analyzed by SBSE-GCMS, the wines were analyzed by SPME-GCMS, and these data sets were compared to that obtained from the sensory analysis of the wines. Statistical treatment of the data to account for vintage and region effects allowed underlying relationships to be seen between wine sensory attributes and wine or grape volatile components. The observed associations between grape or wine volatile compounds and wine sensory attributes has revealed target compounds and pathways whose levels may reflect the biochemical effects on grape composition by differing growth conditions during berry development and ripening. The compounds identified in this study may be useful grape or wine markers for potential wine sensory characteristics.     

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and chemometric analysis of white wine polysaccharide extracts

Monovarietal white wines from Maria Gomes and Bical Portuguese Bairrada varieties were prepared according to different maceration and pectic enzyme clarification procedures. The polysaccharide-rich extracts, obtained by wine concentration, dialysis, and lyophilization, were fractionated by graded ethanol precipitation. A wide range of fractions rich in polysaccharides were obtained. Using the spectral region between 1200 and 800 cm(-)(1) of the FTIR spectra of the wine polysaccharide dry extracts, using PCA and CCA chemometric methods, it was possible to discriminate the extracts on the basis of their polysaccharide composition. Moreover, it was possible to identify the wine-making processes involved and their influence on the wine polysaccharides. Furthermore, a calibration model using a PLS1 was proposed for the quantification of mannose in the samples obtained by precipitation with 60% ethanol aqueous solutions. This information will allow an expeditious assessment and monitoring of the polysaccharide composition and modifications that occur during the wine-making processing and evolution.     

Prediction of wine color attributes from the phenolic profiles of red grapes (Vitis vinifera)

Knowledge about the relation between grape and wine phenolics is of key interest for the wine industry with respect to being able to predict wine quality from analyses of grapes. Prediction of the phenolic composition and color of experimentally produced red wines from the detailed phenolic composition of the corresponding grapes was investigated using a multivariate approach. Grape extracts and wines were produced from 55 different grape samples, covering 8 different Vitis vinifera cultivars: Alicante, Merlot, Syrah, Cinsault, Grenache, Carignan, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Mourvedre. The phenolic composition of the grapes and wines showed that the average ratios between wine and grape phenolics ranged from 0.25 to 7.9 for the different phenolic compounds. Most interestingly, the average ratios were low for anthocyanins (0.31) and tannins (0.32), intermediate for (+)-catechin (0.75) and polymeric pigments (0.98), and high for gallic acid (7.9). Individual wine phenolics in general correlated well with several grape phenolics, indicating that a multivariate approach might be advantageous for prediction of wine phenolics from grape phenolics analysis. However the use of multivariate prediction of individual wine phenolics from the complete grape phenolic composition only improved the prediction of wine polymeric pigments, whereas wine anthocyanins were predicted with the same precision as from the direct relation with grape anthocyanins. Prediction of color attributes of pH normalized experimental wines from the phenolic profiles of grapes was accomplished using a multivariate approach. The correlation between predicted and measured total wine color was high ( r = 0.958) but was very similar to the correlation coefficient obtained for the direct relation between grape anthocyanins and total wine color ( r = 0.961). Color due to copigmentation, color due to anthocyanins, and color intensity were also predicted well.     

Influence of vineyard location and vine water status on fruit maturation of nonirrigated cv. Agiorgitiko (Vitis vinifera L.). Effects on wine phenolic and aroma components

The influence of site on grape and wine composition was investigated for Vitis vinifera L. cv. Agiorgitiko in the Nemea appellation area in southern Greece. Three nonirrigated plots were studied during the 1997 and 1998 vintages, which were typically very hot and without summer rainfall. Vines were subjected to different water regimens as a result of the variation of soil water-holding capacity and evaporative demand. Vine water status was determined by means of predawn leaf water potential. Differences in vine water status between sites were highly correlated with the earliness of shoot growth cessation and veraison. Grape composition was monitored during fruit ripening. Water deficit accelerated sugar accumulation and malic acid breakdown in the juice. Early water deficit during the growth period was demonstrated to have beneficial effects on the concentration of anthocyanins and total phenolics in berry skins. A similar pattern was observed for the phenolic content of wines elaborated after vinification of grapes harvested on each plot, in both seasons. Limited water availability seemed to increase glycoconjugates of the main aromatic components of grapes as a quantitative increase in levels of bound volatile compounds of the experimental wines was observed under water deficit in both years. Wines produced from grapes of stressed vineyards were also preferred in tasting trials.     

Residues of spiroxamine in grapes following field application and their fate from vine to wine

Dissipation of the fungicide spiroxamine in grapes of two vine varieties, Roditis and Cabernet Sauvignon, exposed to field treatments was evaluated. Vines of a grape vineyard located in central Greece were sprayed once or twice with a commercial formulation of the fungicide at 30 g a.i./hL. Residues in grapes, must, and wine were determined by gas chromatography/IT-MS after extraction with cyclohexane-dichloromethane (9:1), with a limit of quantitation 0.02 mg/kg in grapes and 0.012 mg/kg in wine. Under field conditions, spiroxamine dissipation on grapes was faster during the first 2 weeks and then slower to the sixth week. About 7 days after application, half of the initial spiroxamine concentration remained on the grapes; the respective proportion at 42 days was about 10%. At 14 and 35 days, residues were lower than 0.44 and 0.22 mg/kg, respectively, values below the maximum residue levels set by the European Union (1 mg/kg). Spiroxamine residues transferred from grapes into the must and through the vinification process into the wine were also studied. Mean transfer factors of 0.26 and 0.55 were found from grapes into wine for the wines obtained without maceration and with maceration, respectively. Residues in wine, prepared from grapes with a spiroxamine content of 0.11-0.20 mg/kg, varied from <0.026 to 0.09 mg/kg. Spiroxamine diastereomer B was found to dissipate slower than diastereomer A in the field as well as during the vinification process.     

Relationship among antioxidant activity, vasodilation capacity, and phenolic content of red wines

The relationship among antioxidant activity, based on the electron-spin resonance determination of the reduction of Fremy's radical, vasodilation activity, and phenolic content was investigated in 16 red wines. The wines were selected to provide a range of origins, grape varieties, and vinification methods. Sensitive and selective HPLC methods were used for the analysis of the major phenolics in red wine: free and conjugated myricetin, quercetin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin; (+)-catechin, (-)-epicatechin, gallic acid, p-coumaric acid, caffeic acid, caftaric acid, trans-resveratrol, cis-resveratrol, and trans-resveratrol glucoside. Total anthocyanins were measured using a colorimetric assay. The total phenolic content of the wines was determined according to the Folin-Ciocalteu colorimetric assay and also by the cumulative measurements obtained by HPLC. The 16 wines exhibited a wide range in the values of all parameters investigated. However, the total phenol contents, measured both by HPLC and colorimetrically, correlated very strongly with the antioxidant activity and vasodilation activity. In addition, the antioxidant activity was associated with gallic acid, total resveratrol, and total catechin. In contrast, only the total anthocyanins were correlated with vasodilation activity. The results demonstrate that the different phenolic profiles of wines can produce varying antioxidant and vasodilatant activities, which opens up the possibility that some red wines may provide enhanced health benefits for the consumer.     

Red wine making by immobilized cells and influence on volatile composition

Red wine making using yeast cells immobilized in two types of raisin berries, at various temperatures (6-30 degrees C), was studied. A modification of the batch bioreactor was used to separate the grape skins used for color extraction from the biocatalyst and the fermenting grape must. The evaluation of the immobilized biocatalysts was made on terms of productivity and organoleptic quality, including color intensity and formation of volatiles. The immobilized cells were found capable of low-temperature wine making, producing red wines containing more than 11% v/v alcohol in 8 days at 6 degrees C. The quality of wines was examined by gas chromatography (GC) and GC-MS analysis and sensory evaluation. Higher alcohol concentrations were decreased, and ethyl acetate concentrations increased by the drop of temperature. Many esters, alcohols, carbonyls, and miscellaneous compounds were identified in wines produced by immobilized cells, revealing no significant qualitative differences as compared to wines produced by free cells. The sensory evaluation showed that the best red wine was produced at 6 degrees C.     

Anthocyanins, phenolics, and color of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Pinot Noir wines from British Columbia.

Changes in phenolics (anthocyanins, flavonols, tartaric esters, and total phenolics) during ripening of grapes and in phenolics and color during vinification and aging of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Pinot Noir wines were studied. Anthocyanins in grape skins showed variations in accumulation pattern, concentration, and distribution depending on variety and to a lesser extent on season. During vinification, colorless phenolics increased during alcoholic fermentation, reached maximum values at pressing, and remained stable during malolactic fermentation and subsequent storage. Anthocyanins and color density, on the other hand, increased during the early stages of alcoholic fermentation, reached maximum values 2-3 days after the start of fermentation, decreased during malolactic fermentation, and slowly declined during subsequent storage. Viticultural practices that increased cluster sun exposure generally led to higher phenolics and color density of wines, whereas changing yeasts used for fermentation had minimal effects.     

Metabolic influence of Botrytis cinerea infection in champagne base wine

Botrytis cinerea infection of grape berries leads to changes in the chemical composition of grape and the corresponding wine and, thus, affects wine quality. The metabolic effect of Botrytis infection in Champagne base wine was investigated through a (1)H NMR-based metabolomic approach. Isoleucine, leucine, threonine, valine, arginine, proline, glutamine, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), succinate, malate, citrate, tartarate, fructose, glucose, oligosaccharides, amino acid derivatives, 2,3-butanediol, acetate, glycerol, tyrosine, 2-phenylethanol, trigonelline, and phenylpropanoids in a grape must and wine were identified by (1)H NMR spectroscopy and contributed to metabolic differentiations between healthy and botrytized wines by using multivariate statistical analysis such as principal component analysis (PCA). Lowered levels of glycerol, 2,3-butanediol, succinate, tyrosine, valine derivative, and phenylpropanoids but higher levels of oligosaccharides in the botrytized wines were main discriminant metabolites, demonstrating that Botrytis infection of grape caused the fermentative retardation during alcoholic fermentation because the main metabolites responsible for the differentiation are fermentative products. Moreover, higher levels of several oligosaccharides in the botrytized wines also indicated the less fermentative behavior of yeast in the botrytized wines. This study highlights a metabolomic approach for better understanding of the comprehensive metabolic influences of Botrytis infection of grape berries in Champagne wines.