Macrowine 2021
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 Tropical fruit aroma in white wines: the role of fermentation esters and volatile thiols

Tropical fruit aroma in white wines: the role of fermentation esters and volatile thiols

Abstract

Volatile thiols are impact aroma compounds, well-known in the literature for imparting tropical fruit aromas such as passion fruit, guava, grapefruit, and citrus in white wines [1]. More recent evidence suggests that tropical fruit aromas are also caused by other aroma compounds besides thiols, such as fermentation esters, or the interaction between these volatile families. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the effects of combining esters and/or thiols to determine their impact on the fruitiness aroma perception of white wines. Pinot gris wine was produced at the OSU research winery and was dearomatized using Lichrolut® EN. Combinations of fermentation volatile compounds were added to the wine, forming the aroma base. Treatment wines were composed of additions of different concentrations and combinations of thiols and/or esters. Samples were subjected to sensory analysis where forty-six white wine consumers evaluated the orthonasal aroma of the wines and participated in Check-All-That-Apply (CATA). Following the results obtained by CATA, samples were subjected to a Sensory Descriptive Analysis (SDA) panel where 13 trained panellists evaluated the intensity of the most used aroma attributes elicited by consumers. Thiol treatments without the presence of esters contributed to earthy and grassy aromas. Overall, tropical fruit aromas were detected in the several treatments containing esters and esters + thiols. Differences in the intensity of the aroma attributes were observed as well . This study showed that esters and thiols are necessary for tropical fruit aroma causation in white wines. Therefore, grape growers and winemakers should adapt viticultural and winemaking conditions to increase the concentrations of both aroma families and therefore enhance the tropical fruit aroma perception in white wines.

DOI:

Publication date: September 24, 2021

Issue: Macrowine 2021

Type: Article

Authors

Angelica Iobbi, Elizabeth Tomasino

Oregon State University, OR, USA, 

Contact the author

Keywords

aroma causation, check-all-that-apply, sensory descriptive analysis, tropical fruit aroma, white wine

Citation

Related articles…

Rare earth elements distribution in grape berries

Rare Earth Elements (REEs) include 15 lanthanides, yttrium and scandium. Their occurrence in soil and plants seems to be closely tied to the geological composition of the underlying mother rock, to the physical and chemical properties of the soil and to the specific ability of the plant to take up and accumulate these microelements.

Read More

An analysis of wine geographical indications from the perspective of the theory of industrial organizations: what are the trade off?

From Porto and then through Bordeaux, Champagne and Bourgogne, wine geographical indications (gi) were the driving models for this form of protection of distinctive signs for collective use. Many studies present the benefits of recognizing a gi for a given region, the challenges of its implementation, as well as the possibilities of promoting territorial development.

Read More

Hormonal and associated metabolic changes in susceptible harvest-ripe grapes under asymptomatic and symptomatic Esca disease

Esca complex is a disease affecting grapevine trunks, characterized by the colonization of the wood by xylem-residing fungi (Phaeomoniella chlamydospora, Phaeoacremonium minimum and Fomitiporia mediterranea), and posing significant risks to vineyard longevity since no efficient treatment is available. Despite its prevalence, the mechanisms beyond symptomatic manifestations like interveinal chlorosis and leaf necrosis remain unclear. Preliminary findings indicated a more pronounced metabolic reprogramming in fruits compared to vegetative organs and a putative impact on wine quality by using fruits from symptomatic grapevines.

Read More

Possible Reduction Method Of Volatile Acid Content And Polyphenols Of Tokaj Aszú Wines With The Aid Of Citosan Bactericid Wine-Treatments

The historical Tokaj region in northeast Hungary is a UNESCO World Heritage region since 2002 owning 5.500 ha vineyards. Produced from „noble rot” grapes, Tokaji Aszú is known as one of the oldest botrytized wines all over the world. Special microclimatic conditions (due to Bodrog and Tisza rivers, Indian summer), soil circumstances (clay, loess on volcanic bedrock) and grape-varieties (Furmint, Hárslevelű) of Tokaj-region offer favourable parameters to the formation of noble rot caused by Botrytis cinerea. The special metabolic activity of Botrytis results in noble rot grapes called “aszú” berries. The grapes undergo complex chemical modifications as the joint result of the enzymatic activity of Botrytis and the physical process of concentration.

Read More

Typicality of Rioja wines: identification of sensory profiles for the three subregions of DOCa Rioja

Within the DOCa Rioja three main production areas are differentiated: Rioja Alta (RA), Rioja Alavesa (RAv) and Rioja Oriental (RO). They are three diverse territories with particular characteristics that are claimed to give rise to differentiated profiles. The present work aims at evaluating the sensory diversity of young commercial red wines in these three subregions. Therefore 30 young red wines (mainly Tempranillo and vintage 2021), ten from each subregion, were sensory described following a non-verbal free sorting task and a verbal free comment task by 32 well-established Rioja winemakers.

Read More