Enoforum 2021
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 Enoforum Web 9 Enoforum Web Conference 2021 9 Fingerprinting as approach to unlock black box of taste

Fingerprinting as approach to unlock black box of taste

Abstract

The black box of taste is getting unlocked. The starting point is to distinguish taste from tasting. Consider taste as a product characteristic; tasting is a sensorial activity. Consequently, taste can be studied on a molecular level and therefore be assessed more objectively, whilst tasting is a human activity and by definition subjective.

 

P. Klosse (2004) developed a model to describe taste. This model has been further developed and tested in practice to analyse the taste profile of wines and beers. Mouthfeel sensations and their intensities are the key parameters of this model. Three classes of mouthfeel are distinguished: ‘contracting’, ‘coating’ and ‘drying’. The molecular compounds and the intensity of their contribution to mouthfeel have been identified, just like interaction effects. Newly developed instruments are used to measure the physico-chemical characteristics of these molecules. The individual scores of coating, contracting and drying elements of a sample give a ‘fingerprint’. A computer model calculates the coordinate that indicates the taste of the product.

 

This system has been successfully tested to classify wines and beers. Results indicate this approach gives useful insights in flavor composition. From a production perspective these insights can be used to enhance desired or suppress undesired compounds. The fingerprints allow an objective comparison of different wines. From a commercial perspective, producers can gather insights in consumer liking. In addition, the consumer gets more certainty that the purchased wine meets his expectations. Furthermore, the profile can be used in food pairing and as a basis for machine learning. The first web application of this approach has been introduced to the market.

DOI:

Publication date: April 23, 2021

Issue: Enoforum 2021

Type: Article

Authors

Peter Klosse1, Boudewijn Klosse2, Georgios Agorastos3, Adam Dijkstra4 

1 The Academy for Scientific Taste Evaluation, T.A.S.T.E. foundation, Garstkampsestraat 11, 6611 KS Overasselt, The Netherlands
2 Tasters International, Amersfoortseweg 90, 7346AA Hoog Soeren, The Netherland
3 Faculty of Science and Engineering department, Maastricht University Campus Venlo, Maastricht University, 5911 AA Venlo, The Netherlands
4 Analysis Center De Colonjes, Bredeweg 2, 6562 DE Groesbeek, The Netherlands

Contact the author

Keywords

fingerprinting, mouthfeel model, classification, chemometrics, consumer preferences, taste

Tags

Enoforum 2021 | IVES Conference Series

Citation

Related articles…

Multisensory experiential wine marketing

Interest in the pairing, or matching, of wine with music goes way back, with commentators initially using musical metaphors merely to describe the wines that they were writing about. More recently, however, this has transformed into a growing range of multisensory tasting events in which wine and music are deliberately paired to assess, or increasingly to illustrate, the impact of the latter on

Vine phenology and climate in Bordeaux, since the beginning of the XIXth century

We analyze the effects of climate (temperature and pluviometry) on the phenologic stages of the vine (débourrement, flowering, ripening and grape harvest). We rebuilt time series starting from the beginning of the XIXth century for the Medoc and the area of Bordeaux, data very seldom mobilized by researchers.

Impact of grape ripening and post-harvest withering on must composition and fermentation kinetics

Postharvest dehydration is a widely employed technique in winemaking to enhance sugar concentration and secondary metabolites from grapes. Different grape varieties exhibit varying responses in terms of dehydration rate and the resulting chemical composition.

Characterization of Glycosidically Bound Aroma Compounds of País cv. grapes of different Chilean zones

País grape has been estimated to arrive to Chile almost 500 years ago, being the first strain grown in this country. Traditionally, this grape has been used to mix with other varieties, to produce poor quality wines, but today is beginning to be used in the production of high quality wines. However, very little is known about the chemical characteristics of this variety. The aroma is one of the most important quality attributes of wine. Volatile compounds of this beverage may come from the grape (varietal aromas), from the fermentation process, from the ageing. The aromatic compounds are found in the grape in two forms: as free volatile compounds and as non-volatile compounds. The last ones, are aroma precursors present mainly as glycoconjugates formed by a sugar and an aglycone…

STATISTICAL COMPARISON OF GROWTH PARAMETERS OF NINE BIOPROTECTION STRAINS IMPLEMENTED ON ARTIFICIALLY CONTAMINATED SYNTHETIC MUST

In recent years, consumer demand for products without chemical additives increased, becoming a priority for the wine sector. SO₂ is widely used for its multiple properties including antiseptics, antioxidants and antioxidasics and the strategy of bioprotection in winemaking represents now an alternative to this chemical additive. In oenology, results have highlighted the interest of bioprotection to limit the development of microorganisms like Hanseniaspora uvarum and thus reduce the doses of sulphite. Indeed, this species is considered because of its acetic acid and methyl butyl acetate production, the latter can cover the varietal character of wines.