Macrowine 2021
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 Prediction of sauvignon blanc quality gradings with static headspace−gas chromatography−ion mobility spectrometry (SHS−GC−IMS) and machine learning

Prediction of sauvignon blanc quality gradings with static headspace−gas chromatography−ion mobility spectrometry (SHS−GC−IMS) and machine learning

Abstract

AIM: The main goal of the current study is the development of a cost-effective and easy-to-use method suitable for use in the laboratory of commercial wineries to analyze wine aroma. Additionally, this study attempted to establish a prediction model for wine quality gradings based on their aroma, which could reveal the important aroma compounds that correlate well with different grades of perceived quality

METHODS: Parameters of the SHS−GC−IMS instrument were first optimized to acquire the most desirable chromatographic resolution and signal intensities. Method stability was then exhibited by repeatability and reproducibility. Subsequently, compound identification was conducted. After method development, a total of 143 end-ferment wine samples of three different quality gradings from vintage 2020 were analyzed with the SHS−GC−IMS instrument. Six machine learning methods were employed to process the results and construct a quality prediction model. Techniques that aim to explain the model to extract useful insights were also applied.

RESULTS: The SHS−GC−IMS method was able to detect 23 compounds among 65 peaks, mostly esters and higher alcohols, using the current instrumentation. Several identified compounds, including methyl acetate, ethyl formate, and amyl acetate, have seldomly been reported in Sauvignon Blanc wines before. The method also indicated decent repeatability and reproducibility, both of which were below 10%. The quality prediction model was successfully established using artificial neural network (ANN) based on all peaks regardless of their identity. The model returned a highly satisfactory prediction accuracy of 95.4% using 10-fold cross-validation. SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) values was used to delineate the prediction mechanism of the model. SHAP values revealed that isoamyl acetate, ethyl decanoate, ethyl octanoate and 1-hexanol were positively linked to better quality, whereas hexyl acetate, isoamyl alcohol, and 1-butanol could lower the quality grading.

CONCLUSIONS:

This study has successfully developed a method alternative to GC−MS based instruments for the non-targeted screening of wine volatile compounds. With its simple design featuring a headspace sampling unit, highly simplified sample preparation, and nitrogen being the only gas supply, the instrument has shown outstanding practicality desired by commercial winery laboratories. The powerful prediction model and the insights extracted by SHAP values could serve as a starting point for winemakers to investigate the effects of winemaking operations on the expression of the volatiles shown to correlate with higher gradings, to enhance the quality of wines. The findings of this study have been published as an original research article in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry: J. Agric. Food Chem. 2021, 69(10), 3255−3265.

DOI:

Publication date: September 22, 2021

Issue: Macrowine 2021

Type: Article

Authors

Wenyao Zhu , Frank BENKWITZ, Paul A. KILMARTIN,

School of Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand; Drylands Winery, Constellation Brands NZ, Blenheim 7273, New Zealand.

Contact the author

Keywords

Sauvignon blanc, static headspace−gas chromatography−ion mobility spectrometry (SHS−GC−IMS), quality grading, machine learning, artificial neural network (ANN), model explanation

Citation

Related articles…

Interaction between commercial mannoproteins and phenolic compounds of two red wines from different Portuguese grape cultivars

The interaction between mannoproteins and wine phenolic compounds is a subject of great interest as some studies show the possible impact in color stability and an improvement in the sensory characteristics namely the reduction of red wine astringency.

Grapevine cane pruning extract enhances plant physiological capacities and decreases phenolic accumulation in canes and leaves 

Vine cane extracts are a valuable byproduct due to their rich content of polyphenols, vitamins, and other beneficial compounds, which can affect and benefit the vine and the grapes. This study aims to evaluate the response of grapevine plants to irrigation with water supplemented with a vine cane extract, both at physiology response and phenolic composition in different parts of the plant (root, trunk, shoot, leaf, and berry).
Cane extract was obtained by macerating crushed pruning residues with warm water (5:1) and pectolytic enzymes. Two-year-old potted plants were irrigated with water (Control) while others were irrigated with cane extracts, either at 1:4 (w/v, cane extract/water; T 1:4) or at 1:8 (w/v, cane extract/water; T 1:8).

Using open source software in viticultural research

Many high quality Open Source scientific applications have been available for a long time. Some of them have proved to be particularly useful for carrying out the usual activities involved in viticultural research projects, such as statistical analyses (including spatial analyses), GIS work, database management (possibly integrated with statistical and spatial analysis) and even “low-level” often highly time-consuming activities (e.g. repetitive task on text files).

Functional characterisation of genetic elements regulating bunch morphology in grapevine

Vitis vinifera L., is considered one of the world’s most important cultivated fruit crops. In agriculture, bunch morphology is a grapevine-specific trait, which directly impacts fruit quality and health.
Bunch size, shape, and compactness are major aspects of bunch morphology, with the degree of compactness emerging as an important trait for grapevine genetic enhancement and vineyard management. The importance of this trait stems from its impact on disease susceptibility, berry ripening, and other grape quality properties. However, current knowledge of the genes controlling it remains limited.

Grafting, the most sustainable way to control phylloxera over 150 years

Just over 150 years ago, phylloxera, daktulosphaera vitifoliae, was introduced to europe, and particularly france, from north america via imports of american vitis plants. This aphid, with its complex biology and life cycle, has spread rapidly to most vineyards, causing rapid and lethal decline of v. Vinifera vines due to the primary and secondary damage it causes to the roots. In response to this pest, and given the economic importance of the french wine sector, professional representatives organised into ‘agricultural societies’, scientists and public authorities rallied together to identify the exact causes, seek solutions and try to stem the serious socio-economic crisis that ensued.