Smoke tainted wine – what now?

Cyclodextrins are complex cyclic oligosaccharides of glucose units. They are produced from the breakdown of starch by the enzymatic reaction of glucosyltransferase. The result is a ring-shaped molecule with a cavity with a hydrophilic outer part and a hydrophobic inner part. As a consequence of this cavity, cyclodextrin is able to form complexes with non-polar organic molecules [1,2].

Most oxidation reactions in wine require iron as a catalyst. The iron content of wine has decreased greatly in recent decades due to the use of low or no release cellar materials; however, in some cases it is still necessary to adopt winemaking practices to remove excess iron from wine, prevent its oxidation, and be able to reduce the addition of sulfur dioxide and other antioxidants.

Eugenol has been identified as a quality marker in armagnac white spirits. In particular, those produced from the Baco blanc variety, the only hybrid variety authorised in a French PDO, bred since 1898 from noah (vitis labrusca x v.riparia) and folle blanche (v. Vinifera). The varietal compound of Baco blanc, eugenol has many original properties.

Until the 19th century, the wild form of cultivated grapevines (vitis vinifera l. subsp. sylvestris gmelin, v. sylvestris) was ubiquitous in many european and west asian regions. However, many factors like deforestation, the intensification of agriculture, or the introduction of several pests and pathogens decimated its presence in these growing sites, and natural populations are now mostly restricted to river-bank forests and creeks with specific soil and climate conditions. in fact, v. sylvestris is now considered an endangered subspecies that is protected by law in many european countries to prevent its loss.

The Institut Français De La Vigne Et Du Vin (IFV) is conducting many experiments on innovative winegrowing practices, which are emerging in companies in the sector, or which are still at the R&D stage for agricultural suppliers. The purpose of these practices may be to reduce environmental impact, to adapt vineyards to climate change, or to achieve other technical, economic or social aims. Whatever the objective, it is necessary to verify the relevance of these new practices, and in particular their environmental relevance, i.e. That at the very least, the changes in practices do not increase the environmental impact of the technical itineraries.