Influence of type of amphora on physico-chemical properties and antioxidant capacity of 'Falanghina' white wines

Kinetic modeling of a Sangiovese wine’s chemical and physical parameters during one-year aging in different tank materials

The present study aimed to model the kinetics of factors involved in wine aging to highlight the effects caused by different tank materials. It is known that materials affect wine composition through releasing of tannins, elementals and allowing different level of oxygen permeation. To monitor how the composition of a red wine was influenced by the contact with different kind of material, a Sangiovese red wine from the 2018 harvest was aged for one-year simultaneously in six different 5 hL tank materials including stainless steel, epoxy-coated concrete, uncoated concrete, raw earthenware, new and used oak wood. The registered differences were described through kinetic modeling of some wine’s chemical and physical parameters. In particular, the one-year evolution of the dissolved oxygen, redox potential and phenolic composition of the wines showed significant differences according to the tank material. Like the oak barrels, the raw earthenware amphorae and uncoated concrete tanks enhanced the polymerisation of the phenolic fraction of the wine. Instead, the stainless steel and epoxy-coated concrete proved to be the most chemically inert materials as they showed the least variability of redox potential and the lowest degree of color evolution.

Analysis of aroma and polyphenolic compounds in Saperavi red wine vinified in Qvevri

The purpose of this study is to analyze and characterize a Georgian red wine from Saperavi grape, obtained in Qvevri (Georgian traditional winemaking method), by using innovative techniques for the determination of the polyphenolic content, aroma, and its correlation to the sensory characteristics. This peculiar red wine, after high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection and mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-MS), headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS), and HS-SPME-GCxGC-MS/TOF (two-dimensional gas chromatography) chemical characterization showed a high polyphenol content (19.6 × 102 mg/L, 38.4% anthocyanins) and a wide range of volatile compounds, among which terpenes were associated with the aroma of flowers, lemongrass, and wood. Analyses were also conducted to determine the total polyphenol content correlated to antioxidant activity with the Folin-Ciocalteu spectrophotometric in vitro method (4.650 g GAE/L). In conclusion, for the first time on Saperavi wine, innovative techniques such as HPLC-DAD-MS, GC-MS, and GCxGC-MS/TOF were simultaneously applied in association with the traditional analytic techniques to perform a complete chemical characterization. These activities are part of a project about circular viticulture in the Georgian territory that will lead the production of traced quality wines and the valorization of the Georgian wine sector.

Effect of Aging Vessel (Clay-Tinaja versus Oak Barrel) on the Volatile Composition, Descriptive Sensory Profile, and Consumer Acceptance of Red Wine

Consumers look for unique wines, offering pleasant experiences. Wine producers need to open new markets and are targeting countries with fewer traditions in drinking red and complex wines, such as Poland, Russia and Germany. The use of less popular aging vessels (e.g., clay-tinajas) will help in creating unique wines. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the aging vessel on the volatile and sensory profiles and consumer acceptance of red wine in Spain and Poland (model of potential new markets). Three wines were studied: (i) wine A, aged in a clay-tinaja with non-permeable coating); (ii) wine B, aged in clay-tinaja without coating; and (iii) wine C, aged in oak barrels (control). The key families in the volatile profiles were esters (wines B and C) and organic acids and terpenes (wine A). Wine A was described as sour and bitter, wine B had a distinctive mineral note, and wine C had a complex profile with typical wood notes. Finally, wines C and A were the preferred ones for Spanish and Polish consumers, respectively. Clay-tinaja wine A can be a good option to introduce clay-tinaja wines in Polish and similar markets because it is a unique product and fulfills the sensory demands/habits of Polish consumers.

An Industrial and Sustainable Platform for the Production of Bioactive Micronized Powders and Extracts Enriched in Polyphenols From Olea europaea L. and Vitis vinifera L. Wastes

In the last few years, literature data have reported that health status is related to the consumption of foods rich in polyphenols, bioactive compounds found in the plant world, in particular in vegetables and fruit. These pieces of scientific evidence have led to an increase in the demand for functional foods and drinks enriched in polyphenols, so that plant materials are more and more requested. The availability of food and agricultural wastes has adverse effects on the economy, environment, and human health. On the other hand, these materials are a precious source of bioactive compounds as polyphenols. Their recovery and reuse from wastes are according to the circular economy strategy, which has introduced the “zero waste concept.” However, the process is convenient from an economic and environmental point of view only if the final products are standardized and obtained using sustainable and industrial technologies. In this panorama, this paper describes an industrial and sustainable platform for the production of micronized powders and extracts enriched in polyphenols from Olea europaea L. and Vitis vinifera L. wastes that are useful for food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals sectors. The platform is based on drying plant materials, extraction of polyphenols through membrane technologies with water, and, when necessary, the concentration of the final fractions under vacuum evaporation. All powders and extracts were characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography–diode array detector–mass spectrometry analysis to define the qualitative and quantitative content of bioactive compounds and insure their standardization and reproducibility. The chromatographic profiles evidenced the presence of secoiridoids, flavones, flavonols, anthocyanins, hydroxycinnamic acids, catechins, and condensed tannins. An overview of the biological activities of the main polyphenols present in Olea europaea L. and Vitis vinifera L. powders and extracts is reported because of biomedical applications.

New Strategies to Improve Sensorial Quality of White Wines by Wood Contact

Ageing wine is a common practice used in winemaking, since the quality and sensory profile increase due to the extractable compounds coming from wood, by means of barrels or chips. The quantitative and qualitative compounds of the wood depend on the species, its origins and the treatments applied in cooperages. Traditionally, oak wood species are most often used in cooperage, specifically Quercus alba (Q. alba), Known as American oak and Quercus robur (Q. robur) and Quercus petraea (Q. petraea), both known as French oak. Although this stage is very common for red wines, its use is still restricted in the case of white wines. However, this topic is particularly interesting, since due to the sensorial benefits of wood contact, the option for ageing white wines in barrels or chips could be chosen by winemakers. This review compiles the novel strategies applied to white wines by means of wood contact in recent years with the aim to increase wine quality and sensorial features.

Volatile, phenolic, and sensory profiles of in-amphorae Chardonnay wine by mass spectrometry and chemometric analysis

The sensory properties, the phenolic composition, and the volatile profile of Chardonnay wine made in amphorae were compared with the wine obtained in large wooden barrels (2000 L) and small toasted barrels (225 L). Hierarchical cluster analysis and principal component analysis built on the phenolics and volatiles variables allowed to group effectively the samples according to the winemaking material used. In-amphorae wines showed more abundant catechin and caffeic acid and less abundant caftaric acid and trans-coutaric acid. Condensation reactions proceeded in the wood containers leading to esterification of organic acids with ethanol and alcohols, whereas in-amphorae wines were characterized by a higher content of free phenolic acids and higher volatile alcohols. Among the volatile compounds, ramified ethyl esters contributed mostly in samples made in small toasted barrels, whereas nonbranched ethyl esters contributed more for the samples made in large wooden tanks; higher alcohols contributed more for the in-amphorae wine. The sensory analysis showed negligible differences induced by the in-amphorae vinification with respect to the wooden one. Four variables could distinguish wines made in-amphorae compared with the other containers: solvent and acetone (SA), astringent/pungency (AP), fruity (FR), and color intensity (CI). The overall approach proposed here is promising for future developments of innovative types of Chardonnay wine blends.

Phenolic and Aroma Composition of White Wines Produced by Prolonged Maceration and Maturation in Wooden Barrels

To investigate the phenolic and aroma composition of Malvazija istarska (Vitis vinifera L.) white wines produced by an unconventional technology comprising prolonged maceration followed by maturation in wooden barrels, representative samples were subjected to analysis by UV/Vis spectrometry, high-performance liquid chromatography, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. When compared to standard wines, the investigated samples contained higher levels of dry extract, volatile acidity, lactic acid, phenols, colour intensity, antioxidant activity, majority of monoterpenes, C₁₃-norisoprenoids, methanol, higher alcohols, ethyl acetate, branched-chain esters and esters of hydroxy and dicarboxylic acids, ethylphenols, furans, and acetals, as well as lower levels of malic acid, β-damascenone, straight-chain fatty acids, ethyl and acetate esters. It was estimated that maceration had a stronger influence on phenols, and maturation on volatile aromas. Despite different vintages and technological details, the investigated wines showed a relative homogeneity in the composition, representing a clear and distinctive type.