terclim by ICS banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 PROGRESS OF STUDIES OF LEES ORIGINATING FROM THE FIRST ALCOHOLIC FERMENTATION OF CHAMPAGNE WINES

PROGRESS OF STUDIES OF LEES ORIGINATING FROM THE FIRST ALCOHOLIC FERMENTATION OF CHAMPAGNE WINES

Abstract

Champagne wines are produced via a two-step process: the first is an initial alcoholic fermentation of grape must that produces a still base wine, followed by a second fermentation in bottle – the prise de mousse – that produces the effervescence. This appellation produces non-vintage sparkling wines composed of still base wines assembled from different vintages, varieties, and regions. These base wines, or “reserve wines,” are typically conserved on their fine lies and used to compensate for quality variance between vintages (1). Continuously blending small amounts of these reserve wines into newer ones also facilitates preserving the producer’s “house style.” Some of these wines therefore possess the potential to age and maintain their organoleptic quality for even decades. Despite this potential, while the prise de mousse and final product have been extensively studied, far less research has been realised on the Champagne base wines and lies.

The aim of our ongoing study is to apply a multi-disciplinary strategy to study Champagne base wine lies. First, lies production was standardized on a laboratory scale at differing volumes (125 mL, 1 L, 5 L) for both synthetic solutions modelled on Champagne grape musts, and actual musts originating from the region. Confocal microscopy was then utilised to observe yeasts cells present in the wines and lees, as well as any enzymatic activity, creating a visual reference of autolytic dynamics over a one-year period. Simultaneously, these solutions were analysed for volatile odorous compounds and their precursors, including dimethyl sulphide (DMS,) monoterpenes, and heterocycles. Particular attention was given to amino acid concentrations, as previous studies show the importance of lees and amino acid content on ageing potential of reserve wines(2). Initial results show a dynamic evolution of volatile compounds in the early stages of aging, highlighting the potential contribution of lies to the longevity of still base wines. In addition, chemical analyses revealed unexpected data concerning the production of DMS in wines. This tandem approach allowed a preliminary analysis of Champagne reserve wine kinetics and the corresponding release of volatile compounds during the initial stages of lees aging.

 

1. Le Menn N, Marchal R, Demarville D, Casenave P, Tempere S, Campbell-Sills H, et al. Development of a new sensory analysis methodology for predicting wine aging potential. Application to champagne reserve wines. Food Qual Prefer. 2021;94.
2. Le Menn N, Marchand S, De Revel G, Demarville D, Laborde D, Marchal R. N,S,O-Heterocycles in Aged Champagne Reserve Wines and Correlation with Free Amino Acid Concentrations. J Agric Food Chem. 2017;65(11):2345-56. 

DOI:

Publication date: February 9, 2024

Issue: OENO Macrowine 2023

Type: Poster

Authors

Sera Goto1, 2; Nicolas Le Menn1, 2; Marina Bely¹; Laura Chasseriaud ¹; Stephani Marchand ¹

1. Université de Bordeaux, ISVV, EA 4577, INRA, USC 1366 OENOLOGIE, 33140 Villenave d’Ornon, France
2. Champagne Veuve Clicquot, 13 rue Albert Thomas, 51100 Reims, France

Contact the author*

Keywords

Champagne, Lees, Fermentation, Aroma

Tags

IVES Conference Series | oeno macrowine 2023 | oeno-macrowine

Citation

Related articles…

MODELLING THE AGEING POTENTIAL OF SYRAH RED WINES BY ACCELERATED AGEING TESTS: INFLUENCE OF ANTIOXIDANT ASSAYS AND PHENOLIC COMPOSITION

Red wine ageing is an important step in the red wine evolution and impacts its chemical and sensory characteristics through many chemicals and physico-chemical reactions. The kinetics of these evolutions depend on the wine studied and influence the wine ageing potential. Generally, high quality red wines require a longer period of bottle ageing before consumption¹. The ageing potential is an impor-tant parameter for wine quality and is related to the capacity of a wine to undergo oxidation over time². Phenolic compounds which are ones of the main substrates for oxidation can then potentially modulate ageing potential³.

FERMENTATION POTENTIAL OF INDIGENOUS NON-SACCHAROMYCES YEASTS ISOLATED FROM MARAŠTINA GRAPES OF CROATIAN VINEYARDS

The interest in indigenous non-Saccharomyces yeast for use in wine production has increased in recent years because they contribute to the complex character of the wine. The aim of this work was to investigate the fermentation products of ten indigenous strains selected from a collection of native yeasts established at the Institute for Adriatic Crops and Karst Reclamation in 2021, previously isolated from Croatian Maraština grapes, belonging to Hypopichia pseudoburtonii, Metschnikowia pulcherrima, Metschnikowia sinensis, Metschnikowia chrysoperlae, Lachancea thermotolerans, Pichia kluyveri, Hanseniaspora uvarum, Hanseniaspora guillermondii, Hanseniaspora pseudoguillermondii, and Starmerella apicola species, and compare it with commercial non-Saccharomyces and Saccharomyces strains.

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.

AROMA AND SENSORY CHARACTERIZATION OF XINOMAVRO RED WINES FROM DIFFERENT GREEK PROTECTED DESIGNATIONS OF ORIGIN, EFFECT OF TERROIR CHARACTERISTICS

The quality of wines has often been associated with their geographical area of production. The aim of this work was to characterize Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) Xinomavro red wines from different geographical areas of Amyndeon and Naoussa in Northern Greece, elaborated with variables that contribute to their differentiation, such as soil characteristics, altitude, monthly average temperature and rainfall.
Xinomavro fruit parcels from different vineyards within the two PDO zones (5 PDO Naoussa and 6 PDO Amyndeon) were vinified following a standard winemaking process. A total of 25 aroma compounds were quantified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) with simultaneous full scan and selected ion monitoring for data recording, and odor activity values (OAVs) were determined.

Overhead spray water treatment as a mitigation strategy for reducing vine stress and preserving grape quality during heatwaves

Changes in climate have been influencing the quality of wine grapes worldwide. The impact of extreme climate events over short periods is increasingly recognized as a serious risk to grape quality and yield quantity. In this study the mitigation effects of a pulsed water spray on vine canopy during heatwave events has been evaluated for maintaining vine condition during the growing season and grape quality. Vines of three varieties (Malbec, Bonarda, and Syrah) under drip irrigation in the UNCuyo experimental vineyard were treated with an overhead pulsed water spray.