Development of a New Method for the Quantitative Analysis of Aroma Compounds Potentially Related to the Fruity Aroma of Red Wines.

To determine the concentrations of aroma compounds involved in the fruity aroma of red wines, an analytical method was developed and optimized using liquid-liquid extraction and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The aim was to reduce sample preparation and analysis time, with a single sample preparation and a single injection being needed to quantify 43 compounds. 19 esters, 13 monoterpenes, 5 C13-norisoprenoids, and 6 C6-aldehyde and alcohol compounds were quantified in 14 red wines made from different grape varieties grown in the Mediterranean basin.

Sensory Specificities Involving Acetaldehyde and Diacetyl in Wines Produced without Added Sulfur Dioxide.

Nowadays, the development of naturality concept is illustrated in the oenological field by the development of wine produced without the addition of SO. Among its chemical properties, SO is able to react with carbonyl compounds to form carbonyl bisulfites. Acetaldehyde and diacetyl are the main carbonyl compounds of red wines, which could influence product perception.

Methyl Salicylate, an Odor-Active Compound in Bordeaux Red Wines Produced without Sulfites Addition.

Red wines produced without the addition of any SO are currently the source of a new consumer trend. The first characterization approaches regarding these specific wines were devoted to sensory studies that highlighted differences according to the use of SO during winemaking. The goal of this paper is to extend our knowledge of such aromatic specificities.

Impact of Grape Maturity on Ester Composition and Sensory Properties of Merlot and Tempranillo Wines.

The goal of this study was to evaluate how grape composition modifications linked to maturity level could affect the wine ester composition and aromatic expression. An experimental design has been developed from grapes of cv Merlot and cv Tempranillo. On each vine plot, grapes have been harvested at two maturity levels and have been fermented using a commercial yeast strain under standardized conditions, specifically after having the sugar and nitrogen concentrations adjusted to the same target values.

Toward a Better Understanding of Perceptive Interactions between Volatile and Nonvolatile Compounds: The Case of Proanthocyanidic Tannins and Red Wine Fruity Esters-Methodological, Sensory, and Physicochemical Approaches.

The impact of commercial proanthocyanidic tannins on fruity pool of esters, representing the fruitiness of Bordeaux red wines, was assessed in model solutions. It was shown that the presence of tannins in the matrix significantly attenuated perception of fruity notes ( = 0.013).

The Sensory Space of Wines: From Concept to Evaluation and Description. A Review.

The concept of sensory space was first formulated over 25 years ago and has been widely adopted in oenology for around the last 15 years. It is based on both the common organoleptic characteristics of products and the mental representations built by specific groups of people. Exploring this concept involves first assessing whether it already exists for tasters, and, when this is the case, conducting perceptual evaluations to verify its effectiveness before potentially highlighting the associated sensory properties.

Metabolic, Organoleptic and Transcriptomic Impact of Genes Involved in the Biosynthesis of Linear and Substituted Esters.

Esters constitute a broad family of volatile compounds impacting the organoleptic properties of many beverages, including wine and beer. They can be classified according to their chemical structure. Higher alcohol acetates differ from fatty acid ethyl esters, whereas a third group, substituted ethyl esters, contributes to the fruitiness of red wines.

Impact of Whisky Lactone Diastereoisomers on Red Wine Fruity Aromatic Expression in Model Solution.

The impact of whisky lactone diastereoisomers on the typical fruity expression of red Bordeaux wines was evaluated by sensory analysis. The detection thresholds of - and -whisky lactone in a dilute alcohol solution (12% v/v) were 20 and 130 μg/L, respectively. Consequently, considering their average concentrations found in oak-aged red wines, -whisky lactone was present at supra threshold levels, whereas -whisky lactone was below its detection threshold.

Influence of must yeast-assimilable nitrogen content on fruity aroma variation during malolactic fermentation in red wine.

This study assessed the impact of must yeast-assimilable nitrogen (YAN) content and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains used for malolactic fermentation (MLF) on the formation of substituted esters, as well as the corresponding precursors (substituted acids), to investigate the modulation of fruity expression in red wines. In microvinification experiments, a Merlot must was fermented with an initial YAN content of 111 mg/L, or supplemented up to 165 and 220 mg/L. Two Oenococcus oeni LAB strains were used for MLF.

Oak Wood Volatiles Impact on Red Wine Fruity Aroma Perception in Various Matrices.

This research examined the impact of oak wood volatile compounds on the perception of red wine fruity aroma in several matrices. Several aromatic reconstitutions were prepared, consisting of 13 esters, representing the fruity pool of red wine, and 14 oak wood compounds at the various concentrations corresponding to the levels released by light, medium, and heavy toasting of barrels. These reconstitutions were prepared in dilute alcohol solution, dearomatized red wine, and commercial red wine.

Static Headspace Analysis Using Low-Pressure Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry, Application to Determining Multiple Partition Coefficients: A Practical Tool for Understanding Red Wine Fruity Volatile Perception and the Sensory Impact of Higher Alcohols.

To evaluate the partition coefficients of volatiles between the liquid and gas phases, an analytical method was developed and optimized using static headspace analysis and low-pressure injection gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (SHS-LP-GC/MS). Two different types of analytical columns were coupled for low-pressure chromatography injection: a narrow restriction microbore column on the inlet side and a mega-bore column on the mass spectrometer side. Coupling these two columns and static headspace analysis to gas chromatography and mass spectrometry resulted in a simple, fast, sensitive, and accurate approach.

The complexity of wine: clarifying the role of microorganisms.

The concept of wine complexity has gained considerable interest in recent years, both for wine consumers and wine scientists. As a consequence, some research programs concentrate on the factors that could improve the perceived complexity of a wine. Notably, the possible influence of microbiological factors is particularly investigated.

Wine yeast phenomics: A standardized fermentation method for assessing quantitative traits of Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains in enological conditions.

This work describes the set up of a small scale fermentation methodology for measuring quantitative traits of hundreds of samples in an enological context. By using standardized screw cap vessels, the alcoholic fermentation kinetics of Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains were measured by following their weight loss over the time. This dispositive was coupled with robotized enzymatic assays for measuring metabolites of enological interest in natural grape juices.

Influence of lactic acid bacteria strains on ester concentrations in red wines: Specific impact on branched hydroxylated compounds.

This research investigated the influence of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains on ester levels in Bordeaux red wines. These wines were made in five Bordeaux areas in two vintages, using three yeast strains. Malolactic fermentation (MLF) was carried out using industrial starters or indigenous strains, each in triplicate.

2-Methylbutyl acetate in wines: Enantiomeric distribution and sensory impact on red wine fruity aroma.

Enantiomers of 2-methylbutyl acetate were assayed in red and white commercial wines from various vintages and origins, using chiral gas chromatography (γ-cyclodextrin), revealing the exclusive presence of the S-enantiomeric form. Results also confirmed that (S)-2-methylbutyl acetate levels were generally higher in red than white wines of the same age, and that acetate levels increased gradually during ageing. Olfactory threshold of (S)-2-methylbutyl acetate was evaluated at 313µg/L in dilute alcohol solution (12% v/v) and 1083µg/L in a fruity aromatic reconstitution, reflecting its presence in wines at subthreshold concentrations.

Study of Substituted Ester Formation in Red Wine by the Development of a New Method for Quantitative Determination and Enantiomeric Separation of Their Corresponding Acids.

A new method was developed for quantifying substituted acids including, where applicable, their various unexplored enantiomeric forms. A new step was added to acids' usual quantification methods, consisting of extraction, derivatization to methyl esters, and gas chromatography analysis: preliminary extraction was performed at basic pH to eliminate ethyl esters, thus avoiding their transesterification during derivatization. Quantitation and enantiomeric distribution of some substituted esters and their corresponding acids were established in 31 commercial Bordeaux red wines from 0 to 20 years old.

Identification of Piperitone as an Aroma Compound Contributing to the Positive Mint Nuances Perceived in Aged Red Bordeaux Wines.

Although a sensory definition of the aging bouquet of red Bordeaux wines was recently established, its chemical transcription has only partially been elucidated. A multiple-step approach, combining sensory evaluations of red Bordeaux wines and aromatic reconstitutions of wine extract fractions, was used to identify the molecular markers involved. One wine with a high aging-bouquet score and a mint nuance has received particular attention.

Distribution and Organoleptic Impact of Ethyl 3-Hydroxybutanoate Enantiomers in Wine.

Enantiomers of ethyl 3-hydroxybutanoate were assayed in 87 commercial wines from various vintages and origins, using chiral gas chromatography (β-cyclodextrin). Generally, ethyl 3-hydroxybutanoate levels were higher in red than in white wines of the same age. The average S/R enantiomeric ratio of this compound in red wine was approximately 75:25 (± 13), with an average total concentration of ∼ 450 (± 150) μg/L.

Olfactory Impact of Higher Alcohols on Red Wine Fruity Ester Aroma Expression in Model Solution.

This study focused on the impact of five higher alcohols on the perception of fruity aroma in red wines. Various aromatic reconstitutions were prepared, consisting of 13 ethyl esters and acetates and 5 higher alcohols, all at the average concentrations found in red wine. These aromatic reconstitutions were prepared in several matrices.

How do esters and dimethyl sulphide concentrations affect fruity aroma perception of red wine? Demonstration by dynamic sensory profile evaluation.

Our study focused on variations in wine aroma perception and molecular composition during tasting over a period of 30min. In parallel, dynamic analytical and sensory methods were applied to study changes in the wines' molecular and aromatic evolution. Dynamic sensory profile evaluations clearly confirmed the evolution of the wine's fruity notes during sensory analysis, highlighting significant differences for red-berry and fresh fruit as well as black berry and jammy fruit, after 5 and 15min, respectively.

Increase of fruity aroma during mixed T. delbrueckii/S. cerevisiae wine fermentation is linked to specific esters enhancement.

The aim of this work was to study ester formation and the aromatic impact of Torulaspora delbrueckii when used in association with Saccharomyces cerevisiae during the alcoholic fermentation of must. In order to evaluate the influence of the inoculation procedure, sequential and simultaneous mixed cultures were carried out and compared to pure cultures of T. delbrueckii and S.

2-bromo-4-methylphenol, a compound responsible for iodine off-flavor in wines.

This study focuses on an off-flavor in wines treated by an acidification technique involving ion-exchange resins. Applying reversed-phase HPLC on a C18 column to a contaminated wine extract resulted in 25 fractions in dilute alcohol medium, and only one, fraction 19, presented this off-flavor. Its composition was analyzed using gas chromatography coupled to olfactometry (GC-O) and mass spectrometry (GC-MS), leading to the identification of 2-bromo-4-methylphenol for the first time as a compound associated with an "iodine" aroma in white, rosé, and red table wines.

Distribution and organoleptic impact of ethyl 2-methylbutanoate enantiomers in wine.

The enantiomers of ethyl 2-methylbutanoate were assayed in several wines using chiral gas chromatography (β-cyclodextrin). Analyses of 37 commercial red wines from various vintages and origins revealed the almost exclusive presence of the S-enantiomeric form. The average concentration was ∼50 μg/L, but the oldest samples were found to contain higher ethyl 2-methylbutanoate levels than the youngest wines.