Gas chromatography-olfactometry characterization of corvina and corvinone young and aged wines

Abstract

AIM AND METHODS: Corvina and Corvinone are the two main grape varieties used in the production of Valpolicella, Recioto and Amarone, top-quality red wines in north-eastern Italy. This work aimed at determining the aroma composition of Corvina and Corvinone experimental wines and identify the main aroma compounds contributing to the aroma characteristics of Corvina and Corvinone monovarietal wines. Five Corvina and five Corvinone wines were studied, the grapes coming from five different vineyards in Valpolicella. Volatile compounds were extracted by SPE and identified and quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), whereas their aroma impact was determined by gas chromatography- olfactometry (GC-O).

RESULTS: Based on the GC-MS-O analysis, 95 odor zones were detected, from which 68 compounds were successfully identified. Using the criterion of a value higher than 30% in modified frequency (MF %), 51 compounds were selected and grouped according to odor similarity. Compounds with values below 30% were discarded. Modified frequency percentage (MF %) was calculated using the frequency of citation and the intensity of each odor zone (Dravnieks, 1985). Fifteen groups were created with the following odor descriptors: vegetal, fruity, lactic, berry-like, balsamic, chemical, reductive, plastic, toasted-burnt, sweet, floral, rancid, herbaceous, sweet-spices and spicy. Diacetyl, ethyl butyrate, isoamyl acetate, isoamyl alcohol, 1-octen-3-one, methional, 2-/3-methylbutyric acid, methionol, beta-damascenone, 2-methoxyphenol (guaiacol), beta-phenethyl alcohol, 4- propylguaiacol, and eugenol, were found to be the most potent compounds. A number of other potent odor zones were detected but could not be identified, in particular associated with the odor descriptors such as balsamic, sweet-spices and toasted-burnt. Identification of the chemical compounds responsible for these odor zones is currently in progress.

CONCLUSIONS:

This work helps to shed more light on the aroma composition of some of the most representative red wines made in Italy and from which there is little information available to date.

DOI:

Publication date: September 16, 2021

Issue: Macrowine 2021

Type: Article

Authors

Jessica Anahi Samaniego Solis

University of Verona,Giovanni LUZZINI, University of Verona Davide SLAGHENAUFI, University of Verona Giulio COSENTINO , University of Verona Maurizio UGLIANO, University of Verona

Contact the author

Keywords

gas chromatography; olfactometry; corvina; corvinone

Citation

Related articles…

Territorial delimitation of viticultural “Oltrepo Pavese (Lombardy)” using grape ripening precocity

L’Oltrepò Pavese est une zone de collines de la Lombardie, région située au nord de l’Italie avec un vignoble qui s’étend sur près de 15 000 ha. Cette zone représente la plus grande aire de production de la région et une des A.O.C. les plus étendues de tout le pays. Les cépages les plus cultivés, même historiquement, sont autochtones : la Barbera et la Croatina utilisés pour la production de vin rouge «Oltrepò» et le Pinot noir pour la production de vins mousseux. Pour le zonage viticole de cette A.O.C., il a été pris en considération: le climat, les sols, les caractéristiques viti-vinicoles.

CropManage online decision support tool for irrigation scheduling of vineyards

CropManage (CM) is an online decision support service (DSS) developed by the University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources for assisting farmers with efficiently managing water and nitrogen fertilizer to match the site-specific needs of their crops.

What triggers the decision to ripen 

The decision for grape berries to ripen involves a complex interplay of genetic regulation and environmental cues. This review explores the molecular mechanisms underlying the transition from vegetative growth to ripening, focusing on transcriptomic studies and the role of the NAC gene family. Transcriptomic analyses reveal a significant rearrangement of gene expression patterns during this transition, with up-regulation of ripening-related genes and down-regulation of those associated with vegetative growth. A molecular phenology scale providing a high-precision map of berry transcriptomic development, indicates that key molecular changes occur well before the onset of ripening.

On-farm monitoring of grapevine water and nitrogen status in relation to different soil management practices in Valais, Switzerland

In response to increasing societal demands for environmentally-friendly viticulture, winegrowers are adapting their cultivation techniques, particularly by reducing the use of herbicides.

How pressing techniques affect must composition and wine quality of Pinot blanc

This study investigates how the sensory profile of Pinot Blanc is affected from different maceration and pressing techniques. Grapes were sourced from four vineyards in the village Tramin in South Tyrol. For the experiment 200 kg of grapes from each vineyard site were hand picked the day before harvest for the commercial winery took place. Grapes were stored over night at 4°C, homogenized and processed in the experimental winery at Laimburg research centre the day after harvest. Four different pressing techniques were applied in duplicates of 100kg each.