Macrowine 2021
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 The temporal sensory interaction between 3-Mercaptohexanol, 3-Mercaptohexyl Acetate and Athanethiol using trata

The temporal sensory interaction between 3-Mercaptohexanol, 3-Mercaptohexyl Acetate and Athanethiol using trata

Abstract

Volatile sulphur compounds are a group of impact odorants with low odour thresholds that can contribute both positively and negatively to wine aroma. The varietal thiols, 3MH and 3MHA, are known to contribute positive tropical aromas to white wines and are most abundant in Sauvignon Blanc wines. The group of compounds contributing negative aromas are known as reductive sulphur compounds (RSCs) as they add a reductive aroma of asparagus, cooked vegetables and rotten egg to wines. All these compounds play a part in and are a result of the sulphur pathway in the yeast cell during fermentation and therefore attempting to increase the concentration of the varietal thiols may directly influence the concentration of the RSCs. The varietal thiols and the low molecular weight RSCs are highly volatile and therefore their sensory perception can change rapidly over time.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the sensory interaction between varietal thiols and fermentative RSCs in wine for the first time.

METHODS: The varietal thiols 3MH and 3MHA; and ethanethiol (EtSH), a RSC, were spiked in a model wine solution and evaluated sensorially using temporal rate-all-that-apply (TRATA). TRATA is a novel method for temporal sensory evaluation of products. It allows for the free concurrent quantification of the intensity of multiple attributes by the sensory panellists. The panel consisted of staff and students of Stellenbosch University that were familiar with the sensory evaluation of varietal thiols in wine. The levels used for 3MH (500 and 2500 ng/L) and 3MHA (100 and 400 ng/L) in this study were based on low and high concentrations as found in commercial South African Sauvignon Blanc wines. The EtSH levels were based on the odour threshold (1 µg/L) and a level at which wines are considered faulty (2.5 µg/L).

RESULTS: The study showed that the positive aromas associated with 3MH and 3MHA can be suppressed by EtSH in certain situation and three-way interactions were found for specific attributes. The negative aromas associated with EtSH show no significant interactions with varietal thiols although 3MH alone can exhibit a reductive aroma. Time plays a significant role in the perception of these sulphur compounds and certain interactions only occur 60-120s after the start of the sensory evaluation.

CONCLUSIONS:

Reductive sulphur compounds can significantly suppress the aromas of the varietal thiols 3MH and 3MHA.

DOI:

Publication date: September 24, 2021

Issue: Macrowine 2021

Type: Article

Authors

Sebastian Vannevel, Jeanne BRAND,  Astrid BUICA, Wessel DU TOIT,

South African Grape and Wine Research Institute, Department of Viticulture and Oenology, Stellenbosch University, South Africa 

Contact the author

Keywords

varietal thiols, reductive sulphur compounds, trata (temporal rate-all-that-apply), aroma interaction study

Citation

Related articles…

Testing the effectiveness of Cell-Wall material from grape pomace as fining agent for red wines

Lately several works highlighted the capacity of grape cell-wall material (CWM) to interact with proanthocyanidins (PA), indicating its potential use as fining agent for red wines.1–4 However, those studies were performed by using purified PAs and very high doses of CWM (almost ten-fold higher than those used in wine industry for other commercial fining agents). The present study focuses on the applicability of CWM from Cabernet sauvignon pomace as fining agent for red wines under real winery conditions. Grapes of cultivar Cabernet sauvignon were harvested at three different maturity levels
(unripe, mature, and overripe) and used for red winemaking. The pomace of such vinifications were used as source of CWM, and applied into red wines at two different concentrations: 0.2 g/L and 2.5 g/L.

Texas terroir: gis characterization of the texas high plains ava

The Texas High Plains AVA is one of eight officially recognized wine regions in Texas, established in 1993. Six local wineries, including the second-largest in Texas, are supported by approximately 50 vineyards, which are also major suppliers of grapes to Texas wineries outside the region.

INFLUENCES OF SO2 ADDITION AND STORAGE CONDITIONS IN THE DETERMINATION OF MEAN DEGREE OF POLYMERIZATION OF PROANTHOCYANIDINS IN AGED RED WINES

The structural diversity is one of the most remarkable characteristics of proanthocyanidins (PA). Indeed, PA in wines may vary in the B-ring and C-ring substitutes, the C-ring stereochemistry, the degree of polymerization (DP) and the linkage between the monomers. Knowing in detail the structural characteristics of the PA of a wine can help us to understand and modulate several sensorial characteristics of the wine, such as color, antioxidant properties, flavor, and mouthfeel properties. In the last years was discovered and confirmed the presence of sulfonated monomeric and oligomeric flavan-3-ols in wine [1], as well as was pointed out their importance in wine quality [1,2].

Methyljasmonate versus nanomethyljasmonate: effect on monastrell nitrogen composition

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of preharvest application in Monastrell berries using two different types of applications: conventional treatments

Sensory definition of green aroma concept in red French wines. Evidence for the contribution of novel volatile markers

The aromatic complexity of a wine results from the perception of the association of volatile molecules and each aroma can be categorized into different families. The “green” aromas family in red wines has retained our attention by its close link with the fruity perception. In that study, the “green” olfactory concept of red wines was considered through a strategy combining both sensory analysis and hyphenated chromatographic techniques including HPLC and MDGC (Multidimensional Gas Chromatography). The aromatic space of this concept was specified by lexical generation through a free association task on 22 selected wines by a panel of wine experts. Then, 70 French red wines were scored on the basis of the intensity of their “green” and “fruity” attributes.