Typology of Terroirs around the world

A worrying drop in the acidity of wines has been observed in many wine regions, such as Bordeaux (Merlot), Burgundy (Pinot Noir), Côtes-du-Rhône (Grenache) or Rioja (Tempranillo). This lack of acidity is particularly marked in the Midi-Pyrenean vineyards of the Côtes du Frontonnais (Tournier, 1993). However, the acidity of a wine is one of the main factors of its quality, in fact, a low acidity combined with an insufficient tannic structure leads to rapid oxidation of wines and makes them age prematurely.

Due to varietal factors, the formation of undesirable deposits of flavonols, especially quercetin (Q), occurs in several red wines.

Tangible variation of sensory characteristics is often perceived in wine aged in similar barrels. This variation is mostly explained by differences in the wood chemical composition, and in the production of the barrels. Despite these facts, the literature concerning barrel-to-barrel variation and its effect on wine sensory and chemical characteristics is very scarce [1]. In this study, the barrel-to-barrel variation in barrel-aged wines was examined in respect of the most important phenolic compounds of oenological interest and chromatic characteristics, considering both the effects of the (individual) barrel and cooperage. A red wine was aged in 49 new medium-toasted oak (Quercus petraea) barrels, from four cooperages, for 12 months

A novel and efficient Dispersive Liquid-Liquid Microextraction (DLLME) method coupled with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) was developed to determine 33 key aroma compounds (esters, alcohols, aldehydes, terpenes, norisoprenoids, fatty acids and phenols) present in Pinot noir (PN) wine. Four critical parameters including extraction solvent type, disperse solvent type, extraction solvent volume and disperse solvent volume were optimised with the aid of D-optimal design.

The wine sector generates a considerable amount of wealth but is facing a growing problem of fraud. Wine counterfeiting is one of the oldest and most common cases of food fraud worldwide. Therefore, the authenticity and traceability of wine are major concerns for both the industry and consumers. To address these issues, robust and reliable analysis and control methods are necessary. Several methods have been developed, ranging from simple organoleptic tests to more advanced methodologies such as isotopic techniques or residual radioactivity measurements.