terclim by ICS banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 CONTRIBUTION OF VOLATILE THIOLS TO THE AROMA OF RIESLING WINES FROM THREE REGIONS IN GERMANY AND FRANCE (RHEINGAU, MOSEL, AND ALSACE)

CONTRIBUTION OF VOLATILE THIOLS TO THE AROMA OF RIESLING WINES FROM THREE REGIONS IN GERMANY AND FRANCE (RHEINGAU, MOSEL, AND ALSACE)

Abstract

Riesling wines are appreciated for their diverse aromas, ranging from the fruity fresh characters in young vintages to the fragrant empyreumatic notes developed with aging. Wine tasters often refer to Riesling wines as prime examples showcasing terroir, with their typical aroma profiles reflecting the geographical provenance of the wine. However, the molecular basis of the distinctive aromas of these varietal wines from major Riesling producing regions in Europe have not been fully elucidated. In this study, new lights were shed on the chemical characterization and the sensory contribution of volatile thiols to Riesling wines from Rheingau, Mosel, and Alsace. First, Riesling wines (n = 46) from the three regions were collected and assessed for their aroma typicality by an expert panel. Based on sensory assessment, selected wines were examined for their global aroma profile by sensory guided odorant screening techniques (preparative high pressure liquid chromatography; gas chromatography–mass spectrometry/olfactometry (GC–MS/O); sensory evaluation), and several odorous zones (OZs) of interest resembling the original olfactory notes (citrus, tropical fruits etc.) of the initial wines were noted. The aroma descriptors, linear retention index, and mass spectra of the suspected chromatography peaks and their accompanying OZs of interest revealed the presence and importance of volatile thiols in Riesling wines analysed. Hence, selective silver ion solid phase extraction and multidimensional GC–MS/O were applied for further characterization of targeted thiol-relevant OZs, allowing tentative identification of unknown thiols, with one new mercapto monoterpenoid confirmed by orthogonal approach. Following the sensory guided qualitative screening efforts, a new and highly sensitive quantitation method based on chemical derivatization and liquid chromatography quadrupole Orbitrap high-resolution MS was developed for the analysis of a substantial number of known and newly identified volatile thiols in the wine set. Quantitative results confirmed the relevance of 13 odorous thiols in Riesling, with several of them presented at concentrations well over their perception thresholds, as 3-sulfanylhexanol for instance. Thus, the combination of the chemical analysis of thiols and the sensory evaluation made it possible to draw up regional profiles according to the origin of the wines.

DOI:

Publication date: February 9, 2024

Issue: OENO Macrowine 2023

Type: Article

Authors

Emilio De Longhi1,2,3, Liang Chen1, 2, †, Pascaline Redon1, 2, Christoph Schüssler4, Rainer Jung4, Claus Patz5, Doris Rau-Hut3, Philippe Darriet1,2

1. Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux INP, INRAE, OENO, UMR 1366, ISVV, F-33140 Villenave d’Ornon, France
2. Bordeaux Sciences Agro, Bordeaux INP, INRAE, OENO, UMR 1366, ISVV, F-33170 Gradignan, France
3. Hochschule Geisenheim University, Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry, Von-Lade-Str. 1, 65366 Geisenheim, Germany
4. Hochschule Geisenheim University, Department of Enology, Von-Lade-Str. 1, 65366 Geisenheim, Germany
5. Hochschule Geisenheim University, Department of Beverage Research, Von-Lade-Str. 1, 65366 Geisenheim, Germany †Current address: E. & J. Gallo Winery, 600 Yosemite Boulevard, Modesto, CA 95354, United States

Contact the author*

Keywords

Riesling wine aroma, Volatile thiols, Identification, Quantitation

Tags

IVES Conference Series | oeno macrowine 2023 | oeno-macrowine

Citation

Related articles…

IN DEPTH CHARACTERIZATION OF OENOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF TWO LACHANCEA THERMOTOLERANS STARTER STRAINS

Non-Saccharomyces starter cultures became increasingly popular over the years because of their potential to produce more distinctive and unique wines. The major benefit of the use of Lachancea thermotolerans as a fermentation starter is its ability to produce relevant amounts of lactic acid and reduce alcoholic strength, making it valuable for mitigating negative impacts of climate change on grapes and wine quality. Besides, like any other non-Saccharomyces yeast, L. thermotolerans can significantly affect a whole range of other physico-chemical wine parameters.

EVALUATION OF THE OENOLOGICAL POTENTIAL OF NEW RESISTANT VARIETIES MEETING TYPICAL BORDEAUX CHARACTERISTICS

Varietal innovation is a major lever for meeting the challenges of the agro-ecological transition of vi-neyards and their adaptation to climate change. To date, selection work has already begun in the Bordeaux region through the Newvine project. The aim of this project is to create new vine varieties with resistance to mildew and powdery mildew, adapted to the climatic conditions of the Bordeaux region and enabling the production of wines that are in line with consumer tastes and the expected typicity of Bordeaux wines.

PROBING GRAPEVINE-BOTRYTIS CINEREA INTERACTION THROUGH MASS SPECTROMETRY IMAGING

Plants in their natural environment are in continuous interaction with large numbers of potentially pathogenic and beneficial microorganisms. Depending on the microbe, plants have evolved a variety of resistance mechanisms that can be constitutively expressed or induced. Phytoalexins, which are biocidal compounds of low to medium molecular weight synthesized by and accumulated in plants as a response to stress, take part in this intricate defense system.1,2
One of the limitations of our knowledge of phytoalexins is the difficulty of analyzing their spatial responsiveness occurring during plant- pathogen interactions under natural conditions.

ANTHOCYANINS EXTRACTION FROM GRAPE POMACE USING EUTECTIC SOLVENTS

Grape pomace is one of the main by-products generated after pressing in winemaking.Emerging methods, such as ultrasound-assisted extraction with eutectic mixtures, have great potential due to their low toxicity, and high biodegradability. Choline chloride (ChCl) was used as a hydrogen bond acceptor and its corresponding hydrogen bond donor (malic acid, citric acid, and glycerol: urea). Components were heated at 80 °C and stirred until a clear liquid was obtained. Distilled water was added (30 % v/v). A solid-liquid ratio of 1 g pomace per 10 ml of eutectic solvent was used.

ESTIMATING THE INITIAL OXYGEN RELEASE (IOR) OF CORK CLOSURES

Many factors influence aging of bottled wine, oxygen transfer through the closure is included. The maximum uptake of wine before oxidation begins varies from 60 mg.L-¹ to 180 mg.L-1 for white and red wines respectively [1].
The process of bottling may lead to considerable amounts of oxygen. The actual contribution of the transfer through the closure system becomes relevant at the bottle storage, but the amounts are small compared to prepacking operations [2] and to the total oxygen attained during filling.