Macrowine 2021
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 Macrowine 9 Macrowine 2021 9 Chemical diversity of 'special' wine styles: fortified wines, passito style, botrytized and ice wines, orange wines, sparkling wines 9 Identification and quantification of molecular ellagitannins in cognac eaux-de-vie by a mass spectrometry method: barrel toasting and aging impact

Identification and quantification of molecular ellagitannins in cognac eaux-de-vie by a mass spectrometry method: barrel toasting and aging impact

Abstract

AIM: Ellagitannins are the main oak wood phenolic compounds that contribute to wine and spirits organoleptic quality (color, astringency, bitterness)(1-3). Given the lack of knowledge regarding their composition and evolution in spirits, the objectives were to follow their extraction kinetic in Cognac “eaux-de-vie” matured in barrel representing different toasting and to observe their evolution and structural modifications during aging.

METHODS: Eight different toasting levels were used for studying the impact of the toasting on ellagitannins composition. Two verticals (1978-2018) of “eaux-de-vie” samples coming from two terroirs were analyzed in order to observe ellagitannins evolution during aging. The above analyses were conducted using HPLC-Triple Quadrupole mass spectrometer (4) and the unknown compounds were identified by UPLC-Q-TOF, purified by preparative HPLC prior to 1D/2D-NMR analysis.

RESULTS: A general trend between the toasting levels and the individual ellagitannins content and composition was observed. Indeed “Eau-de-vie” aged in light toasted barrel has 40% higher castalagin content than in high toasting. During spirit aging, native ellagitannins content decreases over time. After two years, only castalagin remains quantifiable, suggesting that they undergo transformations leading to the formation of new compounds. Among them, whisky tannin B and A ([M-H]- ion peak at m/z 977.0896 and m/z 675.0834 respectively), resulting from the ethanol/castalagin or castalin reaction as well as some ellagitannin oxidation products like dehydrocastalagin and dehydroroburin D were identified for the first time in Cognac “eaux-de-vie” samples. The kinetic of the above compounds is in progress and the influence of both aging and barrel toasting is being researched.

CONCLUSIONS:

This work brings new insights on the Cognac ellagitannins content and how these molecules are influenced by aging and barrel toasting. Tastings will be performed to understand the organoleptic impact of these compounds.

DOI:

Publication date: September 15, 2021

Issue: Macrowine 2021

Type: Article

Authors

Mathilde Gadrat, Joel Lavergne, Catherine Emo, Pierre-Louis Teissedre, Kléopatra Chira,

1. Unité de recherche Œnologie, EA 4577, USC 1366 INRAE, ISVV, Univ. Bordeaux, Bordeaux INP, F33882 Villenave d’Ornon France 
2.   Courvoisier SAS, 2 places du château, 16200 Jarnac, France ,
Unité de recherche Œnologie, EA 4577, USC 1366 INRAE, ISVV, Univ. Bordeaux, Bordeaux INP, F33882 Villenave d’Ornon France 

Contact the author

Keywords

cognac, ellagitannins, mass spectrometry, toasting

Citation

Related articles…

PESTICIDE RESIDUES IN THE VINEYARD ENVIRONMENTS: VINE LEAVES, GRAPE BERRIES, WINES, HONEYBEES AND ASIAN HORNETS

Synthetic pesticides are widely used in viticulture to ensure steady harvest quality and quantity. Fungicides are primarily used to control grapevine diseases but insecticides and herbicides are likewise used. Pesticide residues in viticultural areas currently represent a strong societal concern, but may also affect different trophic chains in such areas. In this project we wish to analyse honeybees collected from hives placed in different vineyards, their natural predator (the invasive hornet Vespa velutina), as well as the honey, grape berries, and wines produced.

The effects of cane girdling on berry texture properties and the concentration of some aroma compounds in three table grape cultivars

The marketability of the table grapes is highly influenced by the consumer demand; therefore the market value of the table grapes is mainly characterized by its berry size, colour, taste and texture. Girdling could cause accumulation of several components in plants above the ringing of the phloem including clusters and resulting improved maturity. The aim of the experiments was to examine the effect of girdling on berry texture characteristics and aroma concentration.

Use of UHPH to improve the implantation of non-Saccharomyces yeasts

Ultra High-Pressure Homogenization (UHPH) is a high-pressure pumping at 300 MPa (>200 MPa) with a subsequent depressurization against a highly resistant valve made of tungsten carbide covered by ceramic materials or carbon nanoparticles. The intense impact and shear efforts produce the nano-fragmentation of colloidal biopolymers including the elimination of microorganism (pasteurization or sterilization depending on in-valve temperature) and the inactivation of enzymes.

Teran grape quality influenced by different irrigation treatments

Teran is an important native variety grown in Istria known for its high level of polyphenols and intensive fruity character of wines. Teran’s yield and wine typicity have recently decreased due to climate changes (increased temperature and severe drought). Four drip irrigation treatments (25%, 50%, 75%, 100% of total evapotranspiration) and control were investigated for the influence on Teran yield and quality, where focus was given to the content and composition of main polyphenolic and volatile compounds in grapes. Irrigation positively influenced yield since the berry weight also increased with increased irrigation. This resulted in the highest yield for 100% ETc. The highest concentration of polyphenols had control, while the irrigation treatments did not differ significantly. However, there was a tendency to decrease concentration with increased irrigation probably due to the increased berry size, which led to a dilution effect. Regarding the volatile compounds, the most abundant group was alcohols, followed by acids.

PIWIs’ variation in drought response under semi-controlled conditions 

Grapevine interspecific hybrids (PIWIs, from German “pilzwiderstandsfähige Rebsorten” meaning fungus tolerant grapevine cultivars), offer a promising alternative to traditional cultivars in many wine regions due to their tolerance to certain fungal diseases. This makes them a potential solution for sustainable wine production, particularly under organic systems. Despite extensive research on certain agronomic traits and susceptibility to biotic diseases, such as powdery and downy mildews, the response of these cultivars to abiotic stressors, such as drought, remains unclear. Our study aims to investigate the eco-physiological traits of two commercial PIWI cultivars, Muscaris and Souvignier gris, at the leaf level to evaluate their response to drought stress.