Macrowine 2021
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 Impact of industrial-scale serial filtration on macromolecules in red wines

Impact of industrial-scale serial filtration on macromolecules in red wines

Abstract

Filtration is a critical step in ensuring the clarity and microbial stability of wine prior to bottling. However the process of filtering potentially reduces red wine quality by removing some of the macromolecules that contribute to the texture of the wine. Commercial red wines, Cabernet Sauvignon (CAS) and Shiraz (SHZ), of two vintages and two grades (premium grade wines from the older vintage: CAS13 and SHZ13; and standard grade wines from a younger vintage: CAS14 and SHZ14) were filtered through industrial-scale commercial filtration units prior to bottling. Samples were taken before and after cross-flow filtration, lenticular filters, 0.65 µm and 0.45 µm pore size nylon membrane filters. The concentration and composition of macromolecules, including tannins and polysaccharides, were measured in all samples as well as particle size distribution and wine colour. Tannin concentration was measured using the methyl-cellulose precipitation assay and colours were measured with the modified Somer’s colour assay. Tannins were isolated from wines using solid-phase extraction with Oasis HLB cartridges and subsequently analysed for molecular weight and subunit composition with size-exclusion chromatography and phloroglucinolysis (acid-catalysed cleavage reactions), respectively. Polysaccharides were isolated from wine with ethanol precipitation and were subsequently dialysed and analysed using size-exclusion chromatography. The composition of the wines varied with age and variety. Both CAS wines contained more tannin and fewer polysaccharides than the SHZ wines, while both older premium wines (CAS13 and SHZ13) demonstrated more tannin and fewer polysaccharides than the younger, standard grade wines. Cross-flow filtration removed the greatest number of particles from the wine, with all other levels of finer filtration inducing no significant effect on macromolecule concentration or composition. These results suggest that sterile filtration of commercial red wines is unlikely to cause deleterious effects on wine quality.

Publication date: May 17, 2024

Issue: Macrowine 2016

Type: Poster

Authors

Jacqui McRae*, Agnieszka Mierczynska-Vasile, Alison Soden, Martin Day, Paul Smith

*Australian Wine Research Institute

Contact the author

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Macrowine | Macrowine 2016

Citation

Related articles…

Characterization of non-Saccharomyces yeast and its interaction with Saccharomyces cerevisiae with investigation of fermentation kinetics and aromatic composition

[lwp_divi_breadcrumbs home_text="IVES" use_before_icon="on" before_icon="||divi||400" module_id="publication-ariane" _builder_version="4.20.4" _module_preset="default" module_text_align="center" module_font_size="16px" text_orientation="center"...

Interactions of wine polyphenols with dead or living Saccharomyces cerevisiae Yeast Cells and Cell Walls: polyphenol location by microscopy

Tannin, anthocyanins and their reaction products play a major role in the quality of red wines. They contribute to their sensory characteristics, particularly colour and astringency. Grape tannins and anthocyanins are extracted during red wine fermentation. However, their concentration and composition change over time, due to their strong chemical reactivity1. It is also well known that yeasts influence the wine phenolic content, either through the release of metabolites involved in the formation of derived pigments1, or through polyphenol adsorption2,3.

Analysis of peptide fraction from white wines

Among nitrogen compounds included in white wines, the peptide fraction is certainly the least studied, however this fraction is quantitatively the most important (Feuillat, 1974). Existing studies concern the fraction below 1 kDa and only for white and sparkling wines (Bartolomé et al, 1997, Desportes et al 2000). In this report, we have developed methods to isolate peptides from reference white wines. Then, we have applied this methodology with bitter wine to answer a research question: is there a relation between peptides and the bitterness of white wine as for some cheese for example (Furtado, 1984)?

On the losses of dissolved CO2 from laser-etched champagne glasses under standard tasting conditions

Under standard champagne tasting conditions, the complex interplay between the level of dissolved CO2 found in champagne, its temperature, the glass shape, and the bubbling rate, definitely impacts champagne tasting by modifying the neuro-physico-chemical mechanisms responsible for aroma release and flavor perception. Based on theoretical principles combining heterogeneous bubble nucleation, ascending bubble dynamics and mass transfer equations, a global model is proposed (depending on various parameters of both the wine and the glass itself), which quantitatively provides the progressive losses of dissolved CO2 from laser-etched champagne glasses.

Use of computational modelling for selecting adsorbents for improved fining of wine

The occurrence of faults and taints in wine, such as those caused by microbial spoilage or various taints, have resulted in significant financial losses to wine producers. The wine industry commits significant financial resources towards fining and taint removal processes each year. Fining involves the addition of one or more adsorptive substrates to juice or wine to bind certain components, thus reducing their concentration [1]. However, these processes are often not selective and can also remove desirable flavour and aroma compounds.