Terroir 2004 banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 TCA – A status report on South African cork closures

TCA – A status report on South African cork closures

Abstract

Cork taint decreases the commercial value of wine as tainted wines are rejected by consumers. Although other compounds in wine and cork can also be responsible for causing a taint, 2,4,6-trichloroanisole (TCA) is regarded as the primary cause of cork taint. As cork taint is often used in marketing campaigns against natural cork closures, manufacturers extended their overall quality control to monitoring TCA levels. Since August 2004 a representative sample of all batches of cork closures that are imported by members of the South African Cork Quality Council (SACQC) are tested for TCA before release into the market. Quality control on TCA is conducted by an independent laboratory, established by the Institute for Wine Biotechnology (Department of Viticulture and Oenology, University of Stellenbosch) and Thalès Wine Cellar Services (Pty) Ltd. In this contribution we report on the current status of TCA in cork closures in South Africa. The analytical methodologies as well as the quality control program that is currently implemented are also outlined.

DOI:

Publication date: January 12, 2022

Issue: Terroir 2004

Type: Article

Authors

J.A. Minnaar

Institute for Wine Biotechnology, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Stellenbosch, 7600, South Africa

Contact the author

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Terroir 2004

Citation

Related articles…

Pratiques de taille et développement des jeunes vignes

Dans le cadre de TerclimPro 2025, Gonzaga Santesteban a présenté l’article IVES Technical Reviews. Retrouvez la présentation ci-dessous ainsi que l’article associé : https://ives-technicalreviews.eu/article/view/8465

Effects of future climate change on grape quality: a case study for the Aglianico grape in Campania region, Italy

Water deficits limit yields and this is one of the negative aspects of climate change. However, this applies particularly when emphasis is on biomass production (e.g. for crops like maize, wheat, etc.)

YEAST-PRODUCED VOLATILES IN GRAPE BASED SYSTEM MODEL ACTING AS ANTIFUNGAL BIOAGENTS AGAINST PHYTOPATHOGEN BOTRYTIS CINEREA

Botrytis cinerea Pers., the causal agent of grey mould disease, is responsible for substantial economic losses, as it causes reduction of grape and wine quality and quantity. Exploitation of antagonistic yeasts is a promising strategy for controlling grey mould incidence and limiting the usage of synthetic fungicides. In our previous studies, 119 different indigenous yeasts were screened for putative multidimensional modes of action against filamentous fungus B. cinerea [1]. The most promissing biocontrol yeast was Pichia guilliermondii ZIM624, which exhibited several anatagonistic traits (production of cell wall degrading enzymes, chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase; demonstration of in vitro inhibitory effect on B. cinerea mycelia radial growth; production of antifungal volatiles, assimilation of a broad diversity of carbon sources, contributing to its competitivnes in inhabiting grapes in nature).

Volatile and phenolic composition of Agiorgitiko wines from eight different areas of PDO Nemea zone

AIM: Agiorgitiko (Vitis vinifera L. cv.) is the most cultivated red grapewine variety in Greece1 located mainly in Nemea region, the largest PDO zone in Greece2. Although Agiorgitiko is considered as one of the most interesting red grape varieties, not only in Greece3, but also at international level4,5, however, there is a lack of knowledge

Soil preparation practices to eliminate soil restrictions to grapevine root distribution for the establishment of sustainable vineyards

Grapevine yield and wine quality are dependent on good quality vegetative growth and root development. Soils that restrict proper grapevine root development, together with the high cost of establishing a new vineyard, require effective soil preparation to sustain productive vineyards for 25 years. This study reviews soil preparation research conducted over the past 50 years and identifies best practices to remove soil physical and chemical impediments to create optimum conditions for root growth.