terclim by ICS banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 METHYL SALICYLATE, A COMPOUND INVOLVED IN BORDEAUX RED WINES PRODUCED WITHOUT SULFITES ADDITION

METHYL SALICYLATE, A COMPOUND INVOLVED IN BORDEAUX RED WINES PRODUCED WITHOUT SULFITES ADDITION

Abstract

Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) is the most commonly used additive during winemaking to protect wine from oxidation and from microorganisms. Thus, since the 18th century, SO₂ was almost systematically present in wines. Recently, wines produced without any addition of SO₂ during all the winemaking process including bottling became more and more popular for consumers. A recent study dedicated to sensory characterization of Bordeaux red wines produced without added SO₂, revealed that such wines were perceived differently from similar wines produced with using SO₂ and were characterized by specific fruity aromas and coolness1,2. The aim of this study was therefore to progress in wines without added SO₂ specificities characterization, focusing on compounds involved in their particular aroma.

To identify these compounds, a sensory targeted approach using semi-preparative HPLC3 followed by GC-O and GC-MS characterization was applied. For that, the same wines than those used for previous sensory characterization were studied. These wines were produced in 2017 from same merlot grape batches, according to a standard winemaking process, with or without SO₂ addition. First of all, wine aroma extracts were fractionated by semi-preparative HPLC to identify fractions perceived differently between wines. After comparing the fractions of the wines with or without sulfites, three consecutive fractions have been selected for their olfactive difference between the wines. These fractions were then analyzed by GC-O and GC-MS. Methyl salicylate was identified as responsible for sensory differences observed between these fractions. This compound was quantified4 in a large set of commercial red wines. Methyl salicylate was present at higher concentrations in the wines without added SO₂ ranging from 6 to 105 µg/L whereas, in the wines with added SO₂, its concentration was below 10 µg/L. Sensory threshold of methyl salicylate was determined in red wines at 62.3 µg/L and one-quarter of the wines without sulfites studied, presented a concentration higher than this threshold.

Finally, methyl salicylate qualitative sensory impact was characterized in wines without added SO₂ by sensory profile determinations. This was done after a descriptor generation procedure and an adapted training on natural references associated to generated descriptors. This revealed that methyl salicylate was at the origin of wine without added SO₂ coolness and modified fruity aroma perception of these wines.

 

1. Pelonnier-Magimel, E., Mangiorou, P., Philippe, D., Revel, G. de, Jourdes, M., Marchal, A., Marchand, S., Pons, A., Riquier, L., Teissedre, P.-L., Thibon, C., Lytra, G., Tempère, S., & Barbe, J.-C. (2020). Sensory characterisation of Bordeaux red wines produced without added sulfites. OENO One, 54(4), Art. 4.
2. Pelonnier-Magimel, E., Windholtz, S., Pomarède, I. M., & Barbe, J.-C. (2020). Sensory characterisation of wines without added sulfites via specific and adapted sensory profile. OENO One, 54(4), Art. 4.
3. Pineau, B., Barbe, J.-C., Van Leeuwen, C., & Dubourdieu, D. (2009). Examples of perceptive interactions involved in specific “red-” and “black-berry” aromas in red wines. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 57(9), 3702-3708.
4. Poitou, X., Redon, P., Pons, A., Bruez, E., Delière, L., Marchal, A., Cholet, C., Geny-Denis, L., & Darriet, P. (2021). Methyl salicy-late, a grape and wine chemical marker and sensory contributor in wines elaborated from grapes affected or not by cryptogamic diseases. Food Chemistry, 360, 130120.

DOI:

Publication date: February 9, 2024

Issue: OENO Macrowine 2023

Type: Poster

Authors

Edouard Pelonnier-Magimel1,2, Georgia Lytra1,2, Céline Franc1,2, Laura Farris1,2, Philippe Darriet1,2, 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

Contact the author*

Keywords

Wines without added sulfites, Methyl salicylate, Sensory analysis, GC-O

Tags

IVES Conference Series | oeno macrowine 2023 | oeno-macrowine

Citation

Related articles…

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

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

EFFECTIVENESS OF APPLIED MATERIALS IN REDUCING THE ABSORPTION OF SMOKE MARKER COMPOUNDS IN A SIMULATED WILDFIRE SCENARIO

Smoke taint (ST) is a grape-wine off-flavour that may occur when grapes absorb volatile phenols (VPs) originating from wildfire smoke (1). ST is associated with the negative sensory attributes such as smoky and ashy notes. VPs are glycosylated in the plant and thus present in both free and bound forms (2; 3). Wildfire smoke has resulted in a decline in grape and wine quality and financial losses which has become a prominent issue for the global wine industry.

Read More

MOVING FROM SULFITES TO BIOPROTECTION: WHICH IMPACT ON CHARDONNAY WINE?

Over the last few years, several tools have been developed to reduce the quantity of sulfites used during winemaking, including bioprotection. Although its effectiveness in preventing the development of spoilage microorganisms has been proven, few data are available on the impact of sulfite substitution by bioprotection on the final product. The objective of this study was therefore to characterize Chardonnay wines with the addition of sulfite or bioprotection in the pre-fermentation stage. The effects of both treatments on resulting matrices was evaluated at several scales: analysis of classical oenological parameters, antioxidant capacity, phenolic compounds, non-volatile metabolome and sensory profile.

Read More

CHEMICAL DRIVERS OF POSITIVE REDUCTION IN NEW ZEALAND CHARDONNAY WINES

According to winemakers, wine experts and sommeliers, aromas of wet stone, mineral, struck match and flint in white wines styles, such as those produced from Vitis vinifera L. cv. Chardonnay, are considered to be hallmarks of positive reduction.1,2 In recent years, the production of Chardonnay styles defined by aroma characteristics related to positive reduction has become more desirable among wine experts and consumers. The chemical basis of positive reduction is thought to originate from the concentration of specific volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs), including methanethiol (MeSH) imparting mineral and chalk notes,3 and benzenemethanethiol (BMT) responsible for struck match and flint.1,4

Read More