OENO IVAS 2019 banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 OENO IVAS 9 OENO IVAS 2019 9 Analysis and composition of grapes, wines, wine spirits 9 A tool for catching mice in wine: development and application of a method for the detection of mousy off-flavour compounds in wine

A tool for catching mice in wine: development and application of a method for the detection of mousy off-flavour compounds in wine

Abstract

Over the past two years, the AWRI has received 69 wine samples suspected of being affected by mousy off-flavour. The character has been mostly observed in white wines. Possible reasons for this could be the increased use of white winemaking techniques such as high grape solids ferments and extended lees ageing to add textural components to white wine, and higher pH, lower sulfur dioxide and minimal clarification or filtration practices. 

Mousy character is an off-flavour in wine that has been described as similar to the smell of caged mice. Although generally infrequent, its detrimental effect on wine quality can cause economic loss to wine producers and, in severe cases, can render wine unpalatable. Mousy off-flavour is a unique wine fault which, due to its chemical nature in wine pH, is rarely perceived by aroma but instead is detected retronasally after affected wine is swallowed or expectorated. There is a wide variation in the ability or sensitivity of individuals to perceive this character, with some tasters unable to perceive it at all. This creates problems for wine producers if they do not have the ability to detect the character during production and therefore do not take remedial action. 

The compounds responsible for this off-flavour in wine reportedly include 2-acetyltetrahydropyridine (ACTPY), 2-acetylpyrroline (ACPY), 2-acetylpyridine (AP) and 2-ethyltetrahydropyridine (ETPY). However, the contribution and importance of these individual compounds to mousiness in spoiled wines has not been demonstrated. The unavailability of a practical and reliable method for the detection and quantification of mousy-related compounds in wine has impeded objective measurement of mousy-affected wines and further research in preventing or reducing the occurrence of this fault in wine. 

The authors have recently developed a HPLC-MS method for the quantitation of ACTPY, ACPY and AP in wine. The method is simple and rapid and requires only filtration and basification for sample preparation. The analytical run time is approximately 17 minutes for one sample. Precision and accuracy tests confirm that the method is highly reliable and robust. The AWRI has implemented the developed method as a tool for the investigation of wines suspected of being affected by mousiness. A description of the method development and its application to off-flavour investigations will be presented and discussed.

DOI:

Publication date: June 10, 2020

Issue: OENO IVAS 2019

Type: Article

Authors

Yoji Hayasaka, Geoff Cowey, Adrian Coulter

The Australian Wine Research Institute, Hartley Grove cnr Paratoo Road, Urrbrae, South Australia 5064, Australia

Contact the author

Keywords

Off-flavour, Mousiness, HPLC-MS, Wine fault 

Tags

IVES Conference Series | OENO IVAS 2019

Citation

Related articles…

El viñedo en Lanzarote y el Archipiélago Canario

La isla de Lanzarote, primera en ser ocupada en los albores del siglo XV, es la única del archipiélago, junto con Fuerteventura, que no produjo vino. Ocasionalmente hubo algún parral para el consumo

Climatic groups in Ibero-America viticulture compared to worldwide wine producer regions

The wine production is an important activity in many Ibero-American countries. The wine producer regions of these countries configure a large use of different climate types and viticultural climates.

How can historical cultivars mitigate the effects of climate change?

IFV, INRAe and the national network “Partenaires de la Sélection Vigne” representing 37 organizations from the different wine regions, have been working increasingly closely over the last 2 decades towards the preservation of the French varietal patrimony. There are approximately 600 patrimonial varieties according to INRAe and SupAgro Montpellier experts, including ancient cultivars (400) and intravarietal crossbreeds obtained since the 19th century. In the context of a drastic reduction in such varieties from the mid 1980’s in favor of mainstream varieties, it was essential to carry out an inventory of old vines and vineyards. INRAe Vassal collection plays a key role here as it holds the largest diversity available, along with a rich bibliography and herbariums, offering us the opportunity to document and double check the identity of a cultivar, consolidating the expertise of ampelographers. The work is carried out in several stages, from verifying the existence of a variety in a small region, through to rehabilitation. During this session, the authors present the process that leads to the official registration of a variety. After this, IFV selection center takes over to initiate the process of selection and propagation. A specific focus within regions such as the Alps, Champagne and the South-West will provide details of the full procedure. Bia, Bouysselet, Chardonnay rose, Mecle and the aptly named Tardif, are some of the cultivars that have followed this procedure. Furthermore, a recent regulation established by INAO on “varieties of interest for adaptation purposes” might boost uptake by growers. Since 2006, 36 historical cultivars have been registered. Most of these have been neglected in the past due to late maturity, lack of sugar and high titratable acidity at harvest time. Such characteristics are today considered as positive qualities, not only in mitigation of the effects of climate change, but also as an opportunity for restoring diversity…

Remote sensing and ground techniques, applied to the characterization of a new viticultural region at Pinto Bandeira, Brazil

The region of viticultural production near Pinto Bandeira, Brazil, is being studied to define typical characteristics of wines locally produced.

ReGenWine: A transdisciplinary project to assess concepts in regenerative viticulture

Regenerative agriculture is a set of agricultural practices that focus on improving the health of the soil, increasing biodiversity, and enhancing ecosystem services.