Macrowine 2021
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 From precursor identification to the study of the distribution of 3-methyl-2,4-nonanedione in red wines and spirits

From precursor identification to the study of the distribution of 3-methyl-2,4-nonanedione in red wines and spirits

Abstract

Prematurely aged red wines are marked by intense prune and fig aromatic nuances that dominate the complex bouquet that can be achieved through bottle aging. This oxidation off-flavor is, in part, caused by the presence of 3-methyl-2,4-nonanedione (MND).1 It is interesting to note that similar aromas are also detected in aged spirits. Despite its strong sensory impact in red wines, the precursors of this diketone were not well described.

So, first investigations were performed in order to quantify this compound in young and aged spirits in order to explain these nuances. In addition, determination of MND precursors in red wines as well as the study of oxidation mechanisms on their evolutions will improve our ability to understand its formation pathway in alcoholic beverages.

The first step of this work aimed at identifying a precursor of MND in grapes and wines. Based on the MND distribution in grapes, in young and old wines we hypothesized that ketols might be precursors of this diketone. We describe the chemical synthesis of 2-hydroxy-3-methylnonan-4-one (syn- and anti-ketol) as well as their identification in wines. MND and ketols were quantified by SPME-GC-MS (CI, MeOH) using SIS and MS/MS mode, respectively, in more than 150 Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon wines from California, Bordeaux, and Switzerland. Oxidation experiments conducted in model wine and red wine demonstrated that ketols are able to produce MND. Based on these data, their role as MND precursor will be discussed. In addition, we also report first results concerning the origin of ketols in grapes and wines.

We also extended our investigations to spirits were old samples can develop similar dried plum aromas. We also report for the first time the distribution of MND in many spirits including Cognac, Armagnac, Brandy, Bourbon, Grappa, Rhum, Whisky. Highest levels were found in grappa (> 10 000 ng/L), exceeding its detection thresholds (100 ng/L). Sensory analysis experiments revealed that this compound contributes to the aroma of spirits. Assay of ketols in these samples revealed that they can be precursors of MND in spirits.

This project has improved our understanding of the formation and evolution of MND in wines, enabling more accurate predictions of the oxidative behavior and aging potential of red wines. In addition, we describe its first identification as well as its sensory impact in spirits

DOI:

Publication date: September 14, 2021

Issue: Macrowine 2021

Type: Article

Authors

Alexandre PONS

Université Bordeaux, ISVV, EA 4577, Unité de Recherche Œnologie, F-33882 Villenave d’Ornon, France, Seguin Moreau Cooperage, ZI Merpins, 16103 Cognac, France. Ana PETERSON, Université Bordeaux, ISVV, EA 4577, Unité de Recherche Œnologie, F-33882 Villenave d’Ornon, France. Fannie THIBAUD, Université Bordeaux, ISVV, EA 4577, Unité de Recherche Œnologie, F-33882 Villenave d’Ornon, France. Jean Charles MATHURIN, E. Rémy Martin & C°, Z.I, 16100 Merpins, France. Yannick LANDAIS, Université Bordeaux, ISM, CNRS UMR 5255, Talence, France. Philippe DARRIET, Université Bordeaux, ISVV, EA 4577, Unité de Recherche Œnologie, F-33882 Villenave d’Ornon, France. INRA, ISVV, USC 1366, Unité de Recherche Œnologie, F-33882 Villenave d’Ornon, France

Contact the author

Keywords

aging, red wines, oxidation, aroma, spirits, aroma precursor

Citation

Related articles…

Grapevine yield estimation in a context of climate change: the GraY model

Grapevine yield is a key indicator to assess the impacts of climate change and the relevance of adaptation strategies in a vineyard landscape. At this scale, a yield model should use a number of parameters and input data in relation to the information available and be able to reproduce vineyard management decisions (e.g. soil and canopy management, irrigation). In this study, we used data from six experimental sites in Southern France (cv. Syrah) to calibrate a model of grapevine yield limited by water constraint (GraY). Each yield component (bud fertility, number of berries per bunch, berry weight) was calculated as a function of the soil water availability simulated by the WaLIS water balance model at critical phenological phases. The model was then evaluated in 10 grapegrowers’ plots, covering a diversity of biophysical and technical contexts (soil type, canopy size, irrigation, cover crop). We identified three critical periods for yield formation: after flowering on the previous year for the number of bunches and berries, around pre-veraison and post-veraison of the same year for mean berry weight. Yields were simulated with a model efficiency (EF) of 0.62 (NRMSE = 0.28). Bud fertility and number of berries per bunch were more accurately simulated (EF = 0.90 and 0.77, NRMSE = 0.06 and 0.10, respectively) than berry weight (EF = -0.31, NRMSE = 0.17). Model efficiency on the on-farm plots reached 0.71 (NRMSE = 0.37) simulating yields from 1 to 8 kg/plant. The GraY model is an original model estimating grapevine yield evolution on the basis of water availability under future climatic conditions.  It allows to evaluate the effects of various adaptation levers such as planting density, cover crop management, fruit/leaf ratio, shading and irrigation, in various production contexts.

1H-NMR-based Metabolomics to assess the impact of soil type on the chemical composition of Mediterranean red wines

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different soil types on the chemical composition of Mediterranean red wines, through untargeted and targeted 1H-NMR metabolomics. One milliliter of raw wine was analyzed by means of a Bruker Avance II 400 spectrometer operating at 400.15 MHz. The spectra were recorded by applying the NOESYGPPS1D pulse sequency, to achieve water and ethanol signals suppression. No modification of the pH was performed to avoid any chemical alteration of the matrix. The generation of input variables for untargeted analysis was done via bucketing the spectra. The resulting dataset was preprocessed prior to perform unsupervised PCA, by means of MetaboAnalyst web-based tool suite. The identification of compounds for the targeted analysis was performed by comparison to pure compounds spectra by means of SMA plug-in of MNova 14.2.3 software. The dataset containing the concentrations (%) of identified compounds was subjected to one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) to highlight significant differences among the wines. The untargeted analysis, carried out through the PCA, revealed a clear differentiation among the wines. The fragments of the spectra contributing mostly to the separation were attributed to flavonoids, aroma compounds and amino acids. The targeted analysis leaded to the identification of 68 compounds, whose concentrations were significant different among the wines. The results were related to soils physical-chemical analysis and showed that: 1) high concentrations of flavan-3-ols and flavonols are correlated with high clay content in soils; 2) high concentrations of anthocyanins, amino acids, and aroma compounds are correlated with neutral and moderately alkaline soil pH; 3) low concentrations of flavonoids and aroma compounds are correlated with high soil organic matter content and acidic pH. The 1H-NMR metabolomic analysis proved to be an excellent tool to discriminate between wines originating from grapes grown on different soil types and revealed that soils in the Mediterranean area exert a strong impact on the chemical composition of the wines.

A predictive model of spatial Eca variability in the vineyard to support the monitoring of plant status

[lwp_divi_breadcrumbs home_text="IVES" use_before_icon="on" before_icon="||divi||400" module_id="publication-ariane" _builder_version="4.19.4" _module_preset="default" module_text_align="center" module_font_size="16px" text_orientation="center"...

Making sense of available information for climate change adaptation and building resilience into wine production systems across the world

Effects of climate change on viticulture systems and winemaking processes are being felt across the world. The IPCC 6thAssessment Report concluded widespread and rapid changes have occurred, the scale of recent changes being unprecedented over many centuries to many thousands of years. These changes will continue under all emission scenarios considered, including increases in frequency and intensity of hot extremes, heatwaves, heavy precipitation and droughts. Wine companies need tools and models allowing to peer into the future and identify the moment for intervention and measures for mitigation and/or avoidance. Previously, we presented conceptual guidelines for a 5-stage framework for defining adaptation strategies for wine businesses. That framework allows for direct comparison of different solutions to mitigate perceived climate change risks. Recent global climatic evolution and multiple reports of severe events since then (smoke taint, heatwave and droughts, frost, hail and floods, rising sea levels) imply urgency in providing effective tools to tackle the multiple perceived risks. A coordinated drive towards a higher level of resilience is therefore required. Recent publications such as the Australian Wine Future Climate Atlas and results from projects such as H2020 MED-GOLD inform on expected climate change impacts to the wine sector, foreseeing the climate to expect at regional and vineyard scale in coming decades. We present examples of practical application of the Climate Change Adaptation Framework (CCAF) to impacts affecting wine production in two wine regions: Barossa (Australia) and Douro (Portugal). We demonstrate feasibility of the framework for climate adaptation from available data and tools to estimate historical climate-induced profitability loss, to project it in the future and to identify critical moments when disruptions may occur if timely measures are not implemented. Finally, we discuss adaptation measures and respective timeframes for successful mitigation of disruptive risk while enhancing resilience of wine systems.

Upscaling the integrated terroir zoning through digital soil mapping: a case study in the Designation of Origin Campo de Borja

homogeneous zones by intersecting several partial zonings of major factors that influence vineyard growth. Each of them follows specific process from their corresponding disciplines. Soil zoning specifically refers to a Soil Resource Inventory map that has traditionally been generated by conventional soil mapping methods. These methods have shortcomings in reaching fine cartographic and categorical details and involve significant expenses, which undermines their applicability. A new framework named Digital Soil Mapping has introduced quantitative models by statistical techniques to establish soil-landscape relationships and is able to provide intensive scale cartography.

In the present study, a microzoning at 1:10.000 scale is generated from an initial zoning, where the conventional soil map with polytaxic map units is replaced by a new one from digital techniques that disaggregates them. The comparison between the zonings considers a quantitative evaluation of capability for each Homogeneous Terroir Unit by means of the Viticultural Quality Index and its categorization based on its distribution by map. The spatial intersection of both maps gives rise to a confusion matrix in which the flows of class variations after the substitution are assessed.

The results show a five-fold increase in the number of Homogeneous Terroir Units identified and a larger differentiation among them, evidenced by a wider range in the capability index distribution. Both elements are accompanied by an increase in the detection of areas of higher potential within previously undervalued uniform zones.These features are a direct effect of the improvements brought by Digital Soil Mapping techniques and would verify the advantages of their implementation in the Integrated Terroir zoning. Eventually, such new highly detailed terroir units would benefit precision viticulture and sustainable management practices.