terclim by ICS banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 International Congress on Grapevine and Wine Sciences 9 2ICGWS-2023 9 Barrels ad-hoc: Spanish oak wood classification by NIRs 

Barrels ad-hoc: Spanish oak wood classification by NIRs 

Abstract

The wooden barrel is a key factor in enology, since wine chemical composition and sensory properties changes significantly in contact with the barrel[1]. Today’s highly competitive market constantly demands new differentiated products and wineries search innovations continuously.

Wood selection is crucial: barrels stability to keep constant their contribution and the result on products, and additional and differentiated wood contributions to impact their new products. Oak wood selection has traditionally been carried out using parameters such as specie, location and grain, however, it goes one step further nowadays. Large cooperage work with non-destructive techniques that allow classifying oak wood quickly and easily according to their organoleptic contribution[2].

CETEMAS studies Spanish origins oak (Q. petreae/robur) wood for cooperage. This is highly regarded by leading beverages manufacturer (wineries and whiskey distilleries). NIROB project led us to study the species, location and grain impact on the total phenol wood content, ellagitannin and volatile compounds profile, as well as the wood NIRs analysis implementation. After this study, it was concluded to modify the French grain classification scale for Spanish Quercus. Moreover, the first total phenol content prediction models were developed and applied on staves selection for wine barrels destined to a winery from PDO Vino de Cangas, with really good results.

During running NIRCHEM project, national and international oak are studied comparatively, improving the NIRs phenol content models and developing new ones to predict key compounds content for winemaker’s interest. The different origins oak chemical composition evolution is also studied depending on the seasoning and toasting.

Our goal is the wood knowledge before its selection, to choose the wood that best suits the characteristics sought by the wineries, offering a tool that allows this selection, enhancing and promoting, at the same time, the use of the country’s oak and its proper forest management.

DOI:

Publication date: October 4, 2023

Issue: ICGWS 2023

Type: Article

Authors

Amelia González1*, Alba Fanjul2, Paula Pérez2, Claudia García2 & Juan Majada Guijo 2

1,2Forest and Wood Technology Research Centre (CETEMAS); Pumarabule S/N.33936.Siero. Asturias

Contact the author*

Keywords

oak wood selection, NIRs, phenolic content, organoleptic properties, cooperage

Tags

2ICGWS | ICGWS | ICGWS 2023 | IVES Conference Series

Citation

Related articles…

Design of microbial consortia to improve the production of aromatic amino acid derived compounds during wine fermentation

Wine contains secondary metabolites derived from aromatic amino acids (AADC), which can determine quality, stability and bioactivity. Several yeast species, as well as some lactic acid bacteria (LAB), can contribute in the production of these aromatic compounds. Winemaking should be studied as a series of microbial interactions, that work as an interconnected network, and can determine the metabolic and analytical profiles of wine. The aim of this work was to select microorganisms (yeast and LAB) based on their potential to produce AADC compounds, such as tyrosol and hydroxytyrosol, and design a microbial consortium that could increase the production of these AADC compounds in wines.

Climate change and viticulture in Nordic Countries and the Helsinki area

The first vineyards in Northern Europe were in Denmark in the 15th century, in the southern parts of Sweden and Finland in the 18th century at 55–60 degrees latitude. The grapes grown there have not been made into wine, but the grapes have been eaten at festive tables. The resurgence of viticulture has started with global warming, and currently the total area of viticulture in the Nordic countries, including Norway, is estimated to be 400–500 hectares, most of which is in Denmark. Southern Finland, like all southern parts of Northern Europe, belongs to the cool-cold winegrowing area.

Overall conceptual characterization of aged dry white wines using a mental descriptive questionnaire

The purpose of the present study was to understand the overall concept of an aged dry white wine using a descriptive mental questionnaire. A total of 680 worldwide participants, grouped according to their involvement in the wine business, replied to an online questionnaire to characterize the sensory analytical and synthetic descriptors of an aged dry white wine. The descriptors were selected using a Check-All-That-Apply (CATA) approach concerning wine colour, aroma, taste, mouthfeel, and global appreciation.

Preliminary study of the influence of ripening on the polysaccharide content of different red grape varieties

Grape skin has a barrier and protective function in grapes. Cell wall of grape skins is mainly composed of polysaccharides such as pectins, celulloses and hemicelluloses and structural proteins. Terroir, variety and changes during ripening can affect the content of polysaccharides in grapes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the content of polysaccharides (PS) in grapes along the ripening process. Three red grape varieties were studied: Garnacha (G), Tempranillo (T) and Prieto Picudo (PP).

Antimicrobial activity of oenological polyphenols against Gram positive and Gram negative intestinal multidrug-resistant bacteria

Bacterial antibiotic resistance is a major current health problem. Polyphenols have demonstrated antibacterial activity, and in this work we studied the effect of oenological polyphenols on the growth of intestinal multidrug-resistant strains of human and animal origin. Two Enterococcus faecium strains, resistant to vancomycin and other antibiotics, and four Escherichia coli strains, resistant to ampicillin and other antibiotics, were included in this study. All strains showed multidrug resistant phenotypes and genotypes to at least two antibiotic families.