OENO IVAS 2019 banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 Crossed approaches to experimental economics and sensory analysis regarding noble rot sweet wines perception

Crossed approaches to experimental economics and sensory analysis regarding noble rot sweet wines perception

Abstract

Noble rot sweet wines are reputed wines, traditionally elaborated according to a singular vinification process involving the harvesting of overripe grapes under the action of the ascomycete fungus Botrytis cinerea. These exceptional wines for the richness of their aromatic palette, evoking honey, dried fruits and citrus nuances often present a strong aging potential. Thus, several research works have contributed for the past 10 years to characterize their typical aromas and identify key volatile compounds as well as the parameters of their formation. However, although having high reputation and still being considered as high quality wines, they are facing a consumer crisis for the past 15 years.

Experiments have also been conducted to deepen the links between their composition (aromatic component, sugar content) and their sensory perception by an expert panel and a panel consumers (130 persons) in a context of experimental economics studies. In details, sixteen wines from various Bordeaux sweet wines denominations of appellation origin from 2015 vintage were initially submitted to a panel of professionals, oenologists and researchers to assess their typicality level (aromatic component, complexity, balance sweetness / acidity). This preliminary study has allowed to retain 4 wines representing 2 models of Bordeaux sweet wines, i.e. those considered with the best exemplary notes, in terms of aromatic profile and taste equilibrium, having a sugar content close to one hundred g/L and those considered as less typical, although fruity and having a sugar content close to 70 g/L. Chromatographic analysis on the main volatile markers of the aromatic component of the noble rot sweet wines confirmed a generally higher level of abundance of these compounds (lactones, furanones) in the wines with the best exemplary ratings. These 4 wines were then submitted to a panel of consumers. Among the highlights of this study, it is clear that consumers did not use as the first criterion the level of sugar concentration of wines but they recognized the originality of their aromatic component, including among other criteria naming information of controlled origin as well as on noble rot. This study encourage to involve consumers in order to refine the choices of winemakers in the definition of wine profiles.

DOI:

Publication date: June 23, 2020

Issue: OENO IVAS 2019

Type: Article

Authors

Anne Hubert, Pierre Gheusi, Pascaline Redon, Philippe Darriet, Eric Giraud-Heraud

USC INRA-GRETHA (UMR CNRS-Univ Bordeaux, ISVV, Université de Bordeaux, F33882 Villenave d’Ornon France
Unitéde recherche Oenologie, EA 4577, USC 1366 INRA, ISVV, Universitéde Bordeaux, Bordeaux INP, F33882 Villenave d’Ornon France

Contact the author

Keywords

sensory perception, experimental economy, noble rot sweet wines, consumers

Tags

IVES Conference Series | OENO IVAS 2019

Citation

Related articles…

Gastrointestinal digestion of wine sulphites and their effects on human gut microbiota

Sulphites are by far the most widely used additive in the wine industry. In relation to health, the interaction of sulphites with the gut microbiota has not been addressed so far. Following the consumption of wine and other sulphite-containing foods, the gastrointestinal tract and the microbiome are one of the first barriers that these compounds face in the human organism. In this study, we used a previously validated gastrointestinal digestion model (SIMGI®) [1,2] to evaluate the effect of intestinal digestion of wine sulphites on the gut microbiome.

Late pruning as a tool to reduce the risk of spring frosts in a vineyard in Rioja Alavesa (DO Ca Rioja)

The increase in temperature caused by climate change produces an earlier budbreak date that affects the vineyard, which generates a greater risk of damage by spring frosts.

Identification and biological properties of new resveratrol derivatives formed in red wine

Resveratrol is a well-known wine constituent with a wide range of activities. In wines, resveratrol can be oxidized to form various derivatives including oligomers [1]. In this study, resveratrol derivative transformation in hydroalcoholic solution was investigated by oxidative coupling using metals. De novo resveratrol derivatives were synthetized and analysed by NMR and MS experiments

Evidence for terroir effect associated with botrytisation relatively to compounds implicated in typical aromas of noble rot sweet wines

Recent studies have demonstrated the role of certain lactones, particularly 2-nonen-4-olide, and volatile thiols (3-sulfanylhexan-1-ol) in the over ripped aromas of noble rot sweet wines (Stamatopoulos et al. 2014ab). These compounds are partly formed during the maturation and under the activity of B. cinerea on grapes. This research was carried out in the vineyard of Sauternes with aim to better understand their genesis depending on the grape over-ripening on two different soil types during 3 vintages. Thus, the study was conducted, with the Sémillon grape, during vintages 2012, 2014 & 2015, at 4 stages of over-maturation of the grapes (healthy, pourri plein, pourri roti, pourri roti + 15 days) considering two vineyard plots with different soil characteristics (calcosol & peyrosol) planted with the 315 Sémillon clone and grafted on 101-14 rootstock respectively in 1981 and 1980 and cultivated with the same vineyard management. Volatile lactones were assayed by liquid-liquid extraction followed by GC/MS analysis and the precursors of 3-sulfanylhexanol by an adaptation of the method by Capone et al. 2010 (SPE-
UPLC/FTMS).

Reconnaissance des vins de terroir par les consommateurs

Approaching the notion of terroir wines at the level of consumption poses a problem due to the absence of a regulatory definition of the term terroir, which is not taken up either at Community level or at national level (the Consumer Code in particular does not define not the land). However, whatever definition is adopted for the terroir, we can retain at the consumer level an identification of the terroir through the different geographical mentions appearing on the labels or on the shelves of the wine shelf.