terclim by ICS banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 SENSORY DEFINITION OF A TECHNICAL UNAVOIDABLE TRANSFER OF AROMA COMPOUNDS VIA SEALING IN A BOTTLING LINE IN ORDER TO PREVENT PROSECUTION DUE TO FRAUDULENT AROMATIZATION OF A SUBSEQUENTLY FILLED WINE

SENSORY DEFINITION OF A TECHNICAL UNAVOIDABLE TRANSFER OF AROMA COMPOUNDS VIA SEALING IN A BOTTLING LINE IN ORDER TO PREVENT PROSECUTION DUE TO FRAUDULENT AROMATIZATION OF A SUBSEQUENTLY FILLED WINE

Abstract

In 2020, 12% of all bottled German wines were aromatized, which may increase further due to rising popularity of dealcoholized wines. As sealing polymers of a bottling line absorb aroma compounds and may release them into regular wines in the next filling¹, this unintentional carry-over bears the risk to violate the legal ban of any aromatization of regular wine. However, following EU legislation, German food control authorities accept a technical unavoidable transfer of aroma compounds, if this is of no sensory significance. In order to prevent any legal consequences of aroma migration, we propose how to define the requested absence of sensory significance and how to improve cleaning in respect to aroma compounds.

Using a novel direct analysis of sealing polymers revealed that cleaning of the filler removed only 11–62% of seven studied aroma compounds which are commonly used to aromatize wines, including γ-decalactone, α-ionone or eugenol¹. High temperature of 85 °C revealed the largest cleaning effect, while chemical additives such as caustic soda or ozone exhibited only minor efficacy². Complete removal of absorbed aroma compounds from sealing was not achieved, making a later release into subsequently bottled wines still possible.

Odor detection thresholds were determined separately in water, model wine and white wine for the monitored aroma compounds. Applying the odor activity concept, we could show that migration of aroma compounds into the subsequently bottled wines were of no sensory relevance³.

Studying aroma migration in two industry scale bottling lines we could confirm the uptake of marker compounds into sealing polymers during bottling mulled or aromatized wines. Despite ineffective cleaning, aroma compounds migrating back into the subsequently bottled non-aromatized regular wines were way below their sensory thresholds. Sensory evaluation by a 2-out-of-5-test of the wine before and after bottling indeed revealed no significant difference.

In conclusion, despite migration of aroma compounds into sealing of a bottling line, cleaning and dilution effects in the subsequently filled wine prevented any aroma carry-over of sensory relevance. Thus, the analytical determination of “illegal” added aroma traces in a regular wine due to this technically unavoidable transfer, would not lead to legal prosecution. This legal evaluation could be a show case, how to apply the de-minimis concept to assess traces of pesticides or other contaminants into wine.

 

1. Gottmann, J., Vestner, J., Müller, D., Schuster, J., & Fischer, U. (2021). Uptake and Release of Aroma Compounds by an Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer Rubber Sealing Polymer: Investigating Aroma Carryover in a Model Wine System. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 69(38), 11382-11394.
2. Gottmann, J., Müller, D., Becker, A,-M., Vestner, J., Schuster, J., & Fischer, U. (2022), Improved sealing polymers and cleaning procedures to mitigate aroma carryover during bottling of aromatised and regular wine on the same filling line. OenoOne, 56(4), 41-54
3. Gottmann, J., Vestner, J. & Fischer, U. (2022). Sensory relevance of seven aroma compounds involved in unintended but potentially fraudulent aromatization of wine due to aroma carry over. Food Chem, 402, 1341600.

DOI:

Publication date: February 9, 2024

Issue: OENO Macrowine 2023

Type: Poster

Authors

Jörg Gottmann ¹, Jochen Vestner ¹

1. Dienstleistungszentrum Ländlicher Raum (DLR) Rheinpfalz, Institute for Viticulture and Oenology

Contact the author*

Keywords

aroma migration, matrix dependent odor detection threshold, odor activity value, aroma-tized wines

Tags

IVES Conference Series | oeno macrowine 2023 | oeno-macrowine

Citation

Related articles…

EVALUATION OF A SEAWEED EXTRACT OF RUGULOPTERYX OKAMURAE AGAINST ERYSIPHE NECATOR IN GRAPEVINE

Powdery mildew, caused by Erysiphe necator, is a widespread disease that causes high economical losses in viticulture. The main strategy to control the disease is the recurrent application of sulphur based phytochemical compounds. However, in order to reduce their accumulation in the environment and promote the sustainability of the sector, the European Commission has applied restrictions to the number of pesticide treatments and the maximum quantity of fungicides to be applied in viticulture. Seaweeds, in particular macroalgae, are marine resources rich in sulphated polysaccharides with bio-protective potential for the plant, representing an environmentally-friendly alternative approach for sustainable wine production.
Read More

EXPLORING RED WINE TYPICITY OF CORBIÈRES: EVALUATION OF THE DEGREE OF IMPACT OF VINIFICATION PROCESS ON THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND ORGANOLEPTIC PROPERTIES OF WINES FROM DIFFERENT TERROIR

It is important nowadays for wine producers to create a product that is an expression of their terroir, a concept including the interaction between a place (topography, climate, soil), the people (tradition, winemaking and viticultural practices) and the resulting product (grape varieties, wines) [1]. Nonetheless, wine’s typicity linked to those terroirs must be easily recognizable by consumers thanks to distinctive sensory characters and composition [2]. Among the compounds of interest, aromatic compounds and polyphenols play an important role in the quality of red wines, by impacting on the odour, color and astringency. To explore the influence of terroir factors, including climate, soil and human practices, on the chemical and sensory profile of wines, red wines from five terroirs of the Corbières appellation were subjected to a general study approach.

Read More

EXPLORING THE ROLE OF TRANSITION METAL IONS IN THE EVOLUTION OF ESTERS COMPOSITION OF YOUNG WHITE WINE DURING AGEING

Young white wines are typically released to the market a few months after harvest, to be consumed within a year, when their fresh fruity aromas are still dominant and appealing to modern consumers. Esters, particularly higher alcohol acetates (HAAs) and ethyl esters of fatty acids (EEFAs), play a central role in the fruity expression of young white wines [1]. However, these esters are known to undergo significant hydrolysis during the first months of aging [1, 2].

Read More

FLAVONOID POTENTIAL OF MINORITY RED GRAPE VARIETIES

The alteration in the rainfall pattern and the increase in the temperatures associated to global climate change are already affecting wine production in many viticultural regions all around the world (1). In fact, grapes are nowadays ripening earlier from a technological point of view than in the past, but they are not necessarily mature from a phenolic point of view. Consequently, the wines made from these grapes can be unbalanced or show high alcohol content. Dramatic shifts in viticultural areas are currently being projected for the future (2).

Read More

UNTARGETED METABOLOMICS ANALYSES TO IDENTIFY A NEW SWEET COMPOUND RELEASED DURING POST-FERMENTATION MACERATION OF WINE

The gustatory balance of dry wines is centered on three flavors, sourness, bitterness and sweetness. Even if certain compounds were already identified as contributing to sweetness, some taste modifications remain largely unexplained1,2. Some empirical observations combined with sensory analyzes have shown that an increase of wine sweetness occurs during post-fermentation maceration³. This step is a key stage of red winemaking during which the juice is left in contact with the marc, that contains the solid parts of the grape (seeds, skins and sometimes stems). This work aimed to identify a new taste-active compound that contributes to this gain of sweetness.

Read More