terclim by ICS banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 OENOLOGICAL TANNINS FOR PREVENTING THE LIGHT-STRUCK TASTE IN WHITE AND ROSÉ WINES

OENOLOGICAL TANNINS FOR PREVENTING THE LIGHT-STRUCK TASTE IN WHITE AND ROSÉ WINES

Abstract

The light exposure of wine can be detrimental as a relevant loss of aromas takes place [1] and light-induced reactions can occur. The latter involves riboflavin (RF), a photosensitive compound, that is fully reduced by acquiring two electrons. When the electron-donor is methionine, the light-struck taste (LST) can appear leading to cooked cabbage, onion and garlic odours-like [2]. The use of oenological tannins can limit the appearance of LST in both model wine [3] and white wine [4]. This research aimed to evaluate the impact of certain oenological tannins, selected in a previous study as the most effective against LST [5], in both white and rosé wines.
Six white wines and two rosé wines (5 still and 3 sparkling wines) produced in different vintages, were added with grape seed, tea and tara tannins (40 mg/L) at bottling or disgorgement. The wines were stored in the dark until the light exposure that was carried out under controlled condition [3] at bottling, and after 4 and 9 months of storage. Tannin-free wine samples were considered at each sampling point as control. The total flavonoids (FLVs), the color index (at 420 nm or 520 nm) and the content of RF were determined. The sensory analysis was also performed.
As expected, the addition of oenological tannins led to an increase of FLVs reaching the highest concentrations in the presence of tara tannins followed by tea tannins; a comparable content of FLVs was ob-served in control wines and those added with grape seed tannin. Only slight color index changes were found in the wines added with tannins. The light exposure did not affect neither FLVs nor the color index. In the samples stored in the dark, the content of RF ranged from about 50 μg/L (in 2 white sparkling wine samples) up to 130 μg/L that decreased when the wines were kept under light. The perception of bitterness and astringency was evident in particular with tara and grape seed tannins getting stronger especially in the 2 low-RF wine samples after the light exposure. A decrease of the overall aromatic profile was evidenced after the light exposure and LST was less perceived in the presence of tea tannins that seemed to limit aroma loss.
This study evidenced the impact of the wine on the light-induced fault that can have different wine-dependent facets and it seems of higher intensity in younger wines. Among the oenological tannins tasted, tea tannin was the most effective against LST and, in some cases, also in limiting the aroma decay.

 

1. Carlin S., Mattivi F., Durantini V., Dalledonne S., Arapitsas P. (2022). Flint glass bottles cause white wine aroma identity degradation. PNAS, 119, e2121940119 https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2121940119
2. Fracassetti D., Di Canito A., Bodon R., Messina N., Vigentini I., Foschino R., Tirelli A. (2021). Light-struck taste in white wine: Reaction mechanisms, preventive strategies and future perspectives to preserve wine quality. Trends in Food Science & Technology 112, 547-558. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2021.04.013
3. Fracassetti D., Limbo S., Pellegrino L., Tirelli A. (2019). Light-induced reactions of methionine and riboflavin in model wine: Effects of hydrolysable tannins and sulfur dioxide. Food Chemistry, 2019, 298, 124952. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.food-chem.2019.124952
4. Fracassetti D., Limbo S., Messina N., Pellegrino L., Tirelli A. (2021). Light-struck taste in white wine: Protective role of glutathione, sulfur dioxide and hydrolysable tannins. Molecules 26, 5297. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26175297
5. Fracassetti D., Messina N., Saligari A., Tirelli A. (2023). Evaluation of oenological tannins for preventing the light-struck taste. Food Chemistry 404, 134563. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.134563

Acknowledgments The work was supported by European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development [Enofotoshield project; D.d.s. 1 luglio 2019 – n. 9551 , B.U. R.L. Serie Ordinaria n. 27 – 04 luglio 2019].

DOI:

Publication date: February 9, 2024

Issue: OENO Macrowine 2023

Type: Article

Authors

Daniela Fracassetti1,*, Alessio Altomare1, Denis Allieri1, Antonio Tirelli1

1. Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DeFENS), Universit. degli Studi di Milano, Via G. Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy

Contact the author*

Keywords

Riboflavin, Light exposure, Wine fault, Storage

Tags

IVES Conference Series | oeno macrowine 2023 | oeno-macrowine

Citation

Related articles…

STATISTICAL COMPARISON OF GROWTH PARAMETERS OF NINE BIOPROTECTION STRAINS IMPLEMENTED ON ARTIFICIALLY CONTAMINATED SYNTHETIC MUST

In recent years, consumer demand for products without chemical additives increased, becoming a priority for the wine sector. SO₂ is widely used for its multiple properties including antiseptics, antioxidants and antioxidasics and the strategy of bioprotection in winemaking represents now an alternative to this chemical additive. In oenology, results have highlighted the interest of bioprotection to limit the development of microorganisms like Hanseniaspora uvarum and thus reduce the doses of sulphite. Indeed, this species is considered because of its acetic acid and methyl butyl acetate production, the latter can cover the varietal character of wines.
Read More

INOCULATION OF THE SELECTED METSCHNIKOWIA PULCHERRIMA MP1 AS A BIOPROTECTIVE ALTERNATIVE TO SULFITES TO PREVENT BROWNING OF WHITE GRAPE MUST

Enzymatic browning (BE) of must is caused by polyphenol oxidases (PPOs), tyrosinase and laccase. Both PPOs can oxidize diphenols such as hydroxycinnamic acids (HA) to quinones, which can later polymerize to form melanins [1], which are responsible of BE in white wines and of oxidasic haze in red wines. SO₂ is the main tool used to protect must from BE thanks to its capacity to inhibit PPOs [2]. However, the current trend in winemaking is to reduce and even eliminate this unfriendly additive. Among the different possible alternatives for protecting must against BE, the inoculation with a selected Metschnikowia pulcherrima MP1 is without any doubt one of the most promising ones.

Read More

Rootstock mediated responses of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) metabolism and physiology to combined water deficit and salinity stress in Syrah grafts

Water deficit and salinity are increasingly affecting the viticulture and wine industry. These two stresses are intimately related; understanding the physiological and metabolic responses of grapevines to water deficit, salinity and combined stress is critical for developing strategies to mitigate the nega- tive impacts of these stresses on wine grape production. These strategies can include selecting more tolerant grapevine cultivars and graft combinations, improving irrigation management, and using soil amendments to reduce the effects of salinity. For this purpose, understanding the response of grape- vine metabolism to altered water balance and salinity is of pivotal importance.

Read More

MAPPING OF GAS-PHASE CO₂ IN THE HEADSPACE OF CHAMPAGNE GLASSES BY USING AN INFRARED LASER SENSOR UNDER STATIC TASTING CONDITIONS

From the chemical angle, Champagne wines are complex hydro-alcoholic mixtures supersaturated with dissolved carbon dioxide (CO₂). During the pouring process and throughout the several minutes of tasting, the headspace of a champagne glass is progressively invaded by many chemical species, including gas-phase CO₂ in large majority. CO₂ bubbles nucleated in the glass and collapsing at the champagne surface act indeed as a continuous paternoster lift for aromas throughout champagne or sparkling wine tasting [1]. Nevertheless, inhaling a gas space with a concentration of gaseous CO₂ close to 30% and higher triggers a very unpleasant tingling sensation, the so-called “carbonic bite”, which might completely perturb the perception of the wine’s bouquet.

Read More

UNRAVELING THE CHEMICAL MECHANISM OF MND FORMATION IN RED WINE DURING BOTTLE AGING : IDENTIFICATION OF A NEW GLUCOSYLATED HYDROXYKETONE PRO-PRECURSOR

During bottle aging, the development of wine aroma through low and gradual oxygen exposure is often positive in red wines, but can be unfavorable in many cases, resulting in a rapid loss of fresh, fruity flavors. Prematurely aged wines are marked by intense prune and fig aromatic nuances that dominate the desirable bouquet achieved through aging (Pons et al., 2013). This aromatic defect, in part, is caused by the presence of 3-methyl-2,4-nonanedione (MND). MND content was shown to be lower in nonoxidized red wines and higher in oxidized red wines, which systematically exceeds the odor detection threshold (62 ng/L).

Read More