Smoke tainted wine – what now?

The production of certified grape planting material is one of the most important problems in the Russian federation. According to the scheme for the production of healthy grape planting material, before being introduced into in vitro culture, the source plants of each variety (Moldova, Augustin, Bart) were individually assessed for typical varietal characteristics and the presence/absence of symptoms of infection by pests.

Aging on lees (AOL) has been used for wine aging for a long time, thanks to its ability to modify wine composition, improving sensory characteristics and stability. However, the prolonged contact with fermentation lees may increase the risk of developing sensory defects, due to the growth of unwanted microorganisms. Furthermore, AOL requires a large amount of work to manage bâtonnage and for topping up the barrels, significantly increasing production costs.

Grape breeding for resistance to fungal diseases is today very dynamic throughout the world notably in France. New varieties are obtained by hybridization between susceptible varieties of the vitis vinifera species and resistant genotypes, with breeding programs generally lasting between 15 and 25 years and resulting in the registration of a few new varieties. Though these varieties can provide several benefits and can be planted by winegrowers, they are not always systematically adopted.

The global wine production is continuously evolving to meet the new demands and preferences of consumers. in this evolving scenario, it’s important to determine which trends will be short-lived and which will remain over time. The promotion of healthier habits has encouraged consumers to try to find alternatives with low or no alcohol content. The challenge for the industry is to produce an alcohol-free wine that retains the familiar aromas and mouthfeel of traditional wine but without alcohol. Ethanol is the most abundant compound in wine, excluding water.

The presence of undesirable compounds in wines, such as ota, biogenic amines and pesticides residues, affects wine quality and can cause health problems for the consumer. Additionally, an excess of tannins can produce an undesirable increase in the astringency and bitterness of the wine, so tannins are also a target for reduction. The main tool that a winemaker has to reduce their content in the wine is fining. However, some of the fining agents commonly used in the winery can cause allergies or even increase the protein content in the wine, increasing the turbidity.