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…

Water availability at budbreak time in vineyards that are deficitary irrigated during the summer: Effect on must volatile composition

In recent years, Mediterranean regions are being affected by marked climate changes, primarily characterized by reduced precipitation, greater concurrence of temperature extremes and drought during the growing season, and increased inter-annual variability in temperatures and rainfall. Generally, high-quality red wines need moderate water deficit. Hence, irrigation may be needed to avoid severe vine water stress occurring in some vintages and soils with low holding capacity. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of soil recharge irrigation in pre-sprouting and summer irrigation every week (30 % ETO) from the pea size state until the end of ripening (RP) compared to exclusively summer irrigation every week (R) in the same way that RP, on must volatile composition at harvest.

Induction of polyphenols in seedlings of Vitis vinifera cv. Monastrell by the application of elicitors

Contamination problems arising from the use of pesticides in viticulture have raised concerns. One of the alternatives to reduce contamination is the use of elicitors, molecules capable of stimulating the natural defences of plants, promoting the production of phenolic compounds (PC) that offer protection against biotic and abiotic stress. Previous studies on Cabernet-Sauvignon seedlings demonstrated that foliar application of elicitors methyl jasmonate (MeJ) and benzothiadiazole (BTH) increased proteins and PC involved in grapevine defence mechanisms. However, no trials had been conducted on Monastrell seedlings, a major winegrape variety in Spain.

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.

Extreme vintages affect grape varieties differently: a case study from a cool climate wine region

Eger wine region is located on the northern border of grapevine cultivation zone. In the cool climate, terroir selection is one of the foundations of quality wine making. However, climate change will have a significant impact on these high value-added vineyards. This study presents a case study from 2021 and 2022 with the investigation of three grape varieties (Kadarka, Syrah, Furmint). The experiment was conducted in a steep-sloped vineyard (Nagy-Eged hill) with a southern exposure.

Physico-chemical properties of vine pruning residues with potential as enological additive

Grapes are one of the world’s primary fruit crops, and pruning activities generate high amounts of annual wood wastes [1]. These pruning shoots contain valuable phenolic compounds and could have numerous potential applications [1,2]. Consequently, the aim of this work was to evaluate the physico-chemical properties of vine pruning residues with potential as enological additives. For this purpose, grapevine shoots from 12 varieties grown in Chile were collected during the winter of 2021.