terclim by ICS banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 USE OF 13C CP/MAS NMR AND EPR SPECTROSCOPIC TECHNIQUES TO CHARACTERIZE MACROMOLECULAR CHANGES IN OAK WOOD(QUERCUS PETRAEA) DURING TOASTING

USE OF 13C CP/MAS NMR AND EPR SPECTROSCOPIC TECHNIQUES TO CHARACTERIZE MACROMOLECULAR CHANGES IN OAK WOOD(QUERCUS PETRAEA) DURING TOASTING

Abstract

For coopers, toasting process is considered a crucial step in barrel production during which oak wood (Q. petraea) develops several aromatic nuances released to the wine during its maturation. Toasting consists of applying different degrees of heat to a barrel for a specific period. As the temperature increases, thermal degradation of oak wood structure produces a huge range of chemical compounds. Many studies have identified the main key aroma volatile compounds (whisky-lactone, furfural, eugenol, guaiacol, vanillin). However, detailed information on how the chemical structure of oak wood degrades with increasing toasting level is still lacking.

In this study, we characterised the structural changes of the main components (cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin) of oak wood staves subjected to heat treatments (non-toasted to 240 °C) by cross-polarisation/magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (CP/MAS NMR, 800 MHz) and electron para-magnetic resonance (EPR, X-band) spectroscopy techniques applied to solids. Furthermore, the results will be compared to those obtained by quantitative GC-MS (EI) analysis of oak wood volatile compounds generated by the same heat treatments. The 13C CP/MAS NMR data highlighted concomitant phenomena of demethoxylation and depolymerisation of syringyl units leading to the formation of guaiacyl units and the release of monomer units. EPR results revealed the same phenomena and led us to hypothesize that the nature of the radical formed evolved during toasting from syringyl to guaiacyl form. Our results are consistent with data on others wood species and confirm that 200 °C is a threshold temperature above which degradation of the macromolecular structure leads to the formation of radicals and volatile compounds. Overall, the study offers interesting perspectives for the application of spectroscopic techniques, particularly EPR spectroscopy, to monitor radical formation during barrel aging and, consequently, to assess the oxidative stability of wine.

DOI:

Publication date: February 9, 2024

Issue: OENO Macrowine 2023

Type: Poster

Authors

Marie Courregelongue 1,2,3, Mathieu Duttine ⁴, Axelle Grélard ⁵, Alexandre Pons 1,2,3

1. Univ. Bordeaux, Bordeaux INP, INRAE, OENO, UMR 1366, ISVV, F-33140 Villenave d’Ornon, France
2. Bordeaux Sciences Agro, F-33170 Gradignan, France
3. Seguin Moreau Cooperage, ZI Merpins, F-16103 Cognac, France
4. Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, ICMCB, UMR 5026, F-33600 Pessac, France
5. Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, CBMN, UMR 5248, IECB, F-33600 Pessac, France

Contact the author*

Keywords

oak wood, thermal degradation, macromolecular components, aroma compounds

Tags

IVES Conference Series | oeno macrowine 2023 | oeno-macrowine

Citation

Related articles…

THE INFLUENCE OF COMMERCIAL SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE ON THE POLY-SACCHARIDES AND OTHER CHEMICAL PROFILES OF NEW ZEALAND PINOT NOIR WINES

Wine polysaccharides (PS) play an important role in balancing mouthfeel and stability of wine and even influence aroma volatility. Despite this, there is limited research into the effect of winemaking additives on the polysaccharide profile and other macromolecules of New Zealand (NZ) Pinot noir wine. In this study the influence of a selection of commercial S. cerevisiae strains on the chemical profile, including polysaccharides, of New Zealand Pinot noir (PN) wine was investigated. Research scale PN fermentations using five strains of commercially available S. cerevisiae (Lalvin EC1118 and RC212, Levuline BRG YSEO, Viallate Ferm R71 and R82) were undertaken. PS were qualified and quantified using HPLC-RID.
Read More

PHENOTYPIC DIVERSITY AND BIO-PROTECTION CAPABILITY OF METSCHNIKOWIA SP. IN OENOLOGY

Nowadays, the trend is to reduce the use of chemical inputs in the food sector, including in oenology. One of the inputs widely used in the wine making process are sulfites, for its several properties: antimicrobial and antioxidiant. This use isn’t without consequences on consumer’s health and environment, it can lead for example to allergic reactions and pollution. To limit the addition of chemical inputs, microbial alternatives are used. It consists to inoculate in grape must, a micro-organism able to inhibit the growth of the negative indigenous flora during the phase before the fermentation and to guarantee the sensory qualities of wines.

Read More

Searching for the sweet spot: a focus on wine dealcoholization

It is well known that the vinification of grapes at full maturation can produce rich, full-bodied wines,
with intense and complex flavour profiles. However, the juice obtained from such grapes may have very
high sugar concentration, resulting in wines with an excessive concentration of ethanol. In addition, the decoupling between technological maturity and phenolic/aromatic one due to global warming, exacerbates this problem in some wine-growing regions. In parallel with the increase of the mean alcohol content of wines on the market, also the demand for reduced alcohol beverages has increased in recent years, mainly as a result of health and social concerns about the risks related to the consumption of alcohol.

Read More

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.

Read More

WHITE WINES OXIDATIVE STABILITY: A 2-VINTAGE STUDY OF CHARDONNAY CHAMPAGNE BASE WINES AGED ON LEES IN BARRELS

Ultra-premium champagne wines are characterized by a long stay on laths. The goal of the winemaker is to use all possible oenological techniques to keep the aromatic freshness of the future products. To that purpose, some champagne base wines can be aged on lees in oak barrels. However, if it is now acknowledged that such ageing practices contribute to the oxidative stability of dry white wines, no study has been done on Chardonnay champagne base wines designed for a long ageing on laths [1].

Read More