terclim by ICS banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 WHICH TERROIR-RELATED FACTORS INFLUENCE THE MOST VOLATILE COMPOUND PRODUCTION IN COGNAC BASE WINE?

WHICH TERROIR-RELATED FACTORS INFLUENCE THE MOST VOLATILE COMPOUND PRODUCTION IN COGNAC BASE WINE?

Abstract

Cognac is a famous spirit produced in southwest France in the region of the eponymous town from wines mainly from Vitis vinifera cv. Ugni blanc. This variety gives very acidic and poorly aromatic base wines for distillation which are produced according to a very specific procedure. Grapes are picked at low sugar concentrations ranging 13-21 °Brix and musts with high turbidity (>500 NTU) are fermented without sulphite addition [1]. Fermentative aromas, as esters and higher alcohols, are currently the main quality markers considered in Cognac spirits. Hence it is important to better understand the effect of potential influential factors on the production of these compounds as well as on their precursors in berries. This communication deals with the study of the impact of various terroir components among maturity, vine rootstocks, water and nitrogen status that can influence grape and corresponding wine composition. All experiments used Ugni blanc grapes and were conducted in commercial vineyards in the Cognac region as well as in the GreffAdapt plot (13 rootstocks selected) [2]. Fermentations were performed at laboratory scale in triplicate similar to Cognac base wine elaboration under harvest-like conditions and standardized conditions, where sugars and YAN were all corrected to the same values [3]. Berry composition at harvest, including detailed amino acid profile, and wine fermentative aromas, such as higher alcohols and esters, were determined. All the parameters tested here could be ranked from the most influential to the least on ester concentrations. Under harvest-like conditions, nitrogen status was found to be the most influential followed by maturity level and finally water status, which was the least impactful parameter despite a very warm and dry 2022 grape-growing season. Higher alcohol acetates were about twice higher in the high nitrogen-status vines (+ 30 mg/L of YAN) compared to the control. Under standardized conditions, maturity was found the most impactful although the initial differences in must sugars and nitrogenous compounds were smoothed, and nitrogen status was the least. Indeed, fatty acid ethyl esters differed considerably depending on maturity and their concentrations were the lowest when grapes were picked around 13-15 °Brix compared to the other two more advanced maturities. These findings highlight the importance of maturity as a key parameter for growers to take into consideration for Cognac production.

 

1. Guittin, C., Maçna, F., Sanchez, I., Poitou, X., Sablayrolles, J.-M., Mouret, J.-R., & Farines, V. (2021). Impact of high lipid contents on the production of fermentative aromas during white wine fermentation. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 1-15.
2. Marguerit, E.; Lagalle, L.; Lafargue, M.; Tandonnet, J.-P.; Goutouly, J.-P.; Beccavin, I.; Roques, M.; Audeguin, L.; Ollat, N. Gref-fAdapt: A relevant experimental vineyard to speed up the selection of grapevine rootstocks. In Proceedings of the 21st Inter-national Giesco meeting, Tessaloniki, Greece, 24–28 June 2019; Koundouras, S., Ed.; pp. 204–208.
3. Trujillo, M., Bely, M., Albertin, W., Masneuf-Pomarède, I., Colonna-Ceccaldi, B., Marullo, P., & Barbe, J.-C. (2022). Impact of Grape Maturity on Ester Composition and Sensory Properties of Merlot and Tempranillo Wines. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 70(37), 11520-11530.

DOI:

Publication date: February 9, 2024

Issue: OENO Macrowine 2023

Type: Poster

Authors

Julia GOUOT1,2,3*, Mathilde BOISSEAU3, Xavier POITOU3, Nicolas LE MENN1,2, Laura FARRIS1,2, Marine MOREL4, Elisa MARGUE-RIT4 & Jean-Christophe BARBE1,2

1. Univ. 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. R&D Department, JAS Hennessy & Co, Cognac, France
4. EGFV, Univ. Bordeaux, Bordeaux Sciences Agro, INRAE, ISVV, F-33882, Villenave d’Ornon, France

Contact the author*

Keywords

Aroma compounds, Grape composition, Base wine for Cognac distillation, Ugni blanc

Tags

IVES Conference Series | oeno macrowine 2023 | oeno-macrowine

Citation

Related articles…

ANALYZING THE ROLE OF ELEMENTAL SULFUR IN GRAPE JUICE ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF POLYFUNCTIONAL MERCAPTANS IN SAUVIGNON BLANC WINES

Sauvignon blanc is characterized by distinctive aromas, both fruity and herbaceous. The “green” character has been attributed to the methoxypyrazines, while the “fruity” character is associated with polyfunctional mercaptans . Polyfunctional mercaptans are of great significance due to their high impact on wines and associated low perception thresholds.
Elemental sulfur (S⁰) is widely used to protect grapevines from powdery mildew.

LARGE SURVEY OF THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF WINES RESULTING OF THE PRESSING OF RED WINE MARC. FIRST RESULTS

In the Bordeaux vineyards, press red wine represents about 15% of the volume of wines. Valuing this large volume of press wine is necessary from an economic point of view, of course, but also because of their organoleptic contribution to the blend. Nevertheless, there is a lack of recent knowledge on the composition of press wines. This work aims to establish an initial assessment of their composition (aromatic and polyphenolic) and to set up hypothesis on to the links with their sensorial identity.

HOW DOES ULTRASOUND TREATMENT AFFECT THE AGEING PROFILE OF AN ITALIAN RED WINE?

Many wine styles require moderate or extended ageing to ensure optimal consumer experience. However, few consumers have the interest or ability to age wine themselves, and holding wine in optimal conditions for extended periods is expensive for producers. A study was conducted on the use of ul-trasound energy on wine, with particular reference to its impact on sensory and chemical profiles. The OIV has authorised the use of ultrasound for processing crushed grapes (must) in Resolution OENO 616-2019, but not yet for finished wine1,2.

PAIRING WINE AND STOPPER: AN OLD ISSUE WITH NEW ACHIEVEMENTS

The sensory characteristics of wine are a topic studied by several researchers over time, but it continues to be a current and challenging subject. These characteristics are fundamental for the consumer acceptability, which has increasingly aroused their interest to modulate them in line with current market trends and innovation demands. The wine physical-chemical and sensory properties depend on a wide set of factors: they begin to be designed in the vineyard and are later constructed during the various stages of winemaking. Afterwards, the wine is placed in bottles and stored or commercialized.

LARGE-SCALE PHENOTYPIC SCREENING OF THE SPOILAGE YEAST BRETTANOMYCES BRUXELLENSIS: UNTANGLING PATTERNS OF ADAPTATION AND SELECTION, AND CONSEQUENCES FOR INNOVATIVE WINE TREATMENTS

Brettanomyces bruxellensis is considered as the main spoilage yeast in oenology. Its presence in red wine leads to off-flavour due to the production of volatile phenols such as 4-vinylphenol, 4-vinylguaiacol, 4-ethylphenol and 4-ethylguaiacol, whose aromatic notes are unpleasant (e.g. animal, leather, horse or pharmaceutical). Beside wine, B. bruxellensis is commonly isolated from beer, kombucha and bioethanol production, where its role can be described as negative or positive. Recent genomic studies unveiled the existence of various populations.