Influence of UHPH treatment on the quality of wine produced from Botrytis cinerea-infected grapes

Abstract

Botrytis infection introduces enzymes into grapes that negatively affect wine quality, while SO₂ has limited ability to inhibit laccase. This study evaluated ultra-high-pressure homogenisation (UHPH) as an alternative treatment for Verdejo must. Must from healthy grapes was divided into untreated and UHPH-treated groups, while must from Botrytis cinerea-infected grapes was left untreated, treated with SO₂ or treated with UHPH. Fermentation kinetics were monitored and the resulting wines were analysed for colour, alcohol, redox potential and volatile composition. UHPH-treated infected must contained less acetaldehyde (27 mg/L) than untreated infected must (35 mg/L) and SO₂-treated must (49 mg/L), approaching values found in healthy musts. It also showed the lowest methanol concentration among infected treatments (31 mg/L) and preserved 2-phenylethanol more effectively. Principal component analysis clearly separated the UHPH-treated infected must from the untreated and SO₂-treated infected groups and placed it closer to healthy musts. UHPH therefore improved the volatile profile of infected must and mitigated several negative effects associated with B. cinerea, demonstrating its potential to protect wine quality while reducing reliance on SO₂.

References

1. Zhang, J. Influence of UHPH Treatment on the Quality of Wine Produced from Botrytis cinerea-Infected Grapes. Recording of the presentation delivered at Enoforum Spain 2026, Zaragoza, 20–21 May 2026. Available soon on Infowine Premium: https://vinidea.it/es/brand/infowine/