Kerry L. Wilkinson

Smoke-derived taint in wine: The release of smoke-derived volatile phenols during fermentation of Merlot juice following grapevine exposure to smoke

The release of smoke-derived volatile phenols during the fermentation of Merlot grapes, following grapevine exposure to smoke, has been investigated. The concentrations of guaiacol, 4-methylguaiacol, 4-ethylguaiacol, 4-ethylphenol, and eugenol were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and found to increase throughout the winemaking process. Only trace levels (< or = 1 microg/L) of guaiacol and 4-methylguaiacol could be detected in free run juice derived from the fruit of smoked vines; the highest levels, 388 microg/L and 93 microg/L, respectively, were observed in the finished wine. Control wine (derived from fruit of unsmoked vines) contained 4 microg/L guaiacol, with the volatile phenols either not detected or detected at only trace levels (< or = 1 microg/L) throughout fermentation. The role of enzyme and acid catalyzed hydrolysis reactions in releasing smoke-derived volatile compounds was also investigated. The volatile phenols were released from smoked free run juice by strong acid hydrolysis (pH 1.0) and enzyme (beta-glucosidase) hydrolysis, but not mild acid hydrolysis (juice pH 3.2-3.7). Guaiacol was again the most abundant smoke-derived phenol, present at 431 microg/L and 325 microg/L in strong acid and enzyme hydrolysates, respectively. Only trace levels of each phenol could be detected in each control hydrolysate. This study demonstrates the potential for under-estimation of smoke taint in fruit and juice samples; the implications for the assessment of smoke taint and quantification of volatile phenols are discussed.

Detailed Characterization of Proanthocyanidins in Skin, Seeds, and Wine of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon Wine Grapes (Vitis vinifera)

The distribution of proanthocyanidin (PA) polymer lengths, proanthocyanidin concentration at each polymer length, and polymer composition were determined in the seed, skin, and wine of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon grape berries grown in southeast Australia. PA was fractionated by semipreparative high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and analyzed by phloroglucinolysis and HPLC to report the degree of polymerization (DP), concentration, and composition at 11 DP values in seed and wine and 21 DP values in skin. In skin, the highest PA concentration was observed at a DP of 31 in Shiraz and 29 in Cabernet Sauvignon representing 15% of the total PA in both varieties. The distribution of seed PA had the highest concentration at a DP of 7 in Shiraz and 6 in Cabernet Sauvignon representing around 30% of the total PA. In the wine PA distribution, the highest concentration was observed at a DP of 11 in Shiraz and 9 in Cabernet Sauvignon representing around 26 and 32% of the distribution, respectively. A second peak in wine PA concentration was observed at the largest DP of 18 in Shiraz and 15 in Cabernet Sauvignon representing around 20% of the distribution. The composition in wine did not vary at different DP, but the proportion of epicatechin gallate varied in seed PA less than 4 DP. The proportion of epigallocatechin increased with increasing DP in skin PA. Wine PA had a DP range and composition similar to the distribution of skin PA between DP 4 and 18 suggesting that larger skin PAs are not extracted into wine. This study provides information that could be used to target the important PA fractions in grapes that need to be measured to understand (or predict) PA extraction into wine and eventual mouthfeel.

Identification of a β-D-glucopyranoside precursor to guaiacol in grape juice following grapevine exposure to smoke

The presence of the beta-D-glucopyranoside of guaiacol (glucoside) in juice of grapes following grapevine exposure to smoke was investigated. The glucoside was synthesized as a reference compound and an HPLC-MS/MS method was developed for its detection in juice. The glucoside was found in the juice extracts of grapes exposed to bushfire smoke, as well as grapes experimentally exposed to smoke. Compared to the control (unsmoked) juice sample, the experimentally smoked juice contained a significant amount of the glucoside, indicating glucosylation of guaiacol occurred following grapevine smoke exposure. The reference compound, and the glucoside found in the smoked juice samples were less susceptible to acid treatment but virtually disappeared after enzyme treatment with beta-glucosidase. The susceptibility of the glucoside to enzyme hydrolysis could be one reason for the release of guaiacol from smoke affected grapes during fermentation.

Chemical and sensory profiles of rosé wines from Australia.

The appeal of rosé wine is attributable to its sensory profiles and underlying chemical composition, which are determined by viticultural and oenological inputs. This study provided the first insight into the sensory attributes and volatile profiles of Australian rosé wines. An HS-SPME-GC-MS method and a recently developed HPLC-MS/MS method were used to quantify 51 volatile compounds, including 4 potent sulfur compounds, in 26 commercial rosé wines. Descriptive analysis on all wines was undertaken and the sensory results were correlated with quantitative chemical data to explore relationships between wine composition and sensory profiles. Based on odour activity values, esters were prominent aroma volatiles, and β-damascenone, 3-methylbutyl acetate, ethyl hexanoate and 3-MHA were deemed to be important, in accord with other studies. Wines were described with terms ranging from developed, spicy and savoury to fresh green, citrus, tropical fruit, floral and confectionery.

Rapid Method for Proline Determination in Grape Juice and Wine

Proline is typically the most abundant amino acid present in grape juice and wine. The amount present is influenced by viticultural and winemaking factors and can be of diagnostic importance. A method for rapid routine quantitation of proline would therefore be of benefit for wine researchers and the industry in general. Colorimetric determination utilizing isatin as a derivatizing agent has previously been applied to plant extracts, biological fluids, and protein hydrolysates. In the current study, this method has been successfully adapted to grape juice and wine and proved to be sensitive to milligram per liter amounts of proline. At sugar concentrations above 60 g/L, interference from the isatin-proline reaction was observed, such that proline concentrations were considerably underestimated in grape juice and dessert wine. However, the method was robust for the analysis of fermentation samples and table wines. Results were within ±10% agreement with data generated from typical HPLC-based analyses. The isatin method is therefore considered suitable for the routine analysis required to support research into the utilization or release of proline by yeast during fermentation.

Classification of smoke tainted wines using mid-infrared spectroscopy and chemometrics

In this study, the suitability of mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy, combined with principal component analysis (PCA) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA), was evaluated as a rapid analytical technique to identify smoke tainted wines. Control (i.e., unsmoked) and smoke-affected wines (260 in total) from experimental and commercial sources were analyzed by MIR spectroscopy and chemometrics. The concentrations of guaiacol and 4-methylguaiacol were also determined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), as markers of smoke taint. LDA models correctly classified 61% of control wines and 70% of smoke-affected wines. Classification rates were found to be influenced by the extent of smoke taint (based on GC-MS and informal sensory assessment), as well as qualitative differences in wine composition due to grape variety and oak maturation. Overall, the potential application of MIR spectroscopy combined with chemometrics as a rapid analytical technique for screening smoke-affected wines was demonstrated.

On the thermally induced rearrangement of 2-alkoxypyridines to N-alkylpyridones

Analogues of 2-methoxypyridine undergo rearrangement to N-methylpyridones under flash vacuum pyrolysis (FVP) conditions. Ethoxy derivatives undergo competitive ethyl migration and elimination of ethylene. Analogues of 4-methoxypyridine do not undergo rearrangement under FVP conditions, but demethylation on silica may occur. The ease of rearrangement follows the basicity of the alkoxyhetarene to some extent. The vapour-phase rearrangements have been contrasted to condensed-phase pyrolyses, and a four-centre transition state for the former is supported by computation. The rearrangement allows structural assignment to the two products from the reaction of 2,4-dichloroquinoline with pyrrolidine.

Synchronous two-dimensional MIR correlation spectroscopy (2D-COS) as a novel method for screening smoke tainted wine.

In this study, two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy (2D-COS) combined with mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy was evaluated as a novel technique for the identification of spectral regions associated with smoke-affected wine, for the purpose of screening taint arising from grapevine exposure to smoke. Smoke-affected wines obtained from experimental and industry sources were analysed using MIR spectroscopy and chemometrics, and calibration models developed. 2D-COS analysis was used to generate synchronous data maps for red and white cask wines spiked with guaiacol, a marker of smoke taint. Correlations were observed at wavelengths that could be attributable to aromatic C-C stretching, i.e., between 1400 and 1500 cm(-1), indicative of volatile phenols. These results demonstrate the potential of 2D-COS as a rapid, high-throughput technique for the preliminary screening of smoke tainted wine.

Classification of Sparkling Wine Style and Quality by MIR Spectroscopy

In this study, the suitability of attenuated total reflection (ATR) mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy, combined with principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares (PLS) regression, was evaluated as a rapid analytical technique for the classification of sparkling wine style and quality. Australian sparkling wines (n = 139) comprising a range of styles (i.e., white, rosé, red, Prosecco and Moscato) were analyzed by ATR-MIR spectroscopy combined with multivariate data analysis. The MIR spectra of 50 sparkling white wines, produced according to four different production methods (i.e., Carbonation, Charmat, Transfer and Methodé Traditionelle) were also evaluated against: (i) quality ratings determined by an expert panel; and (ii) sensory attributes rated by a trained sensory panel. Wine pH, titratable acidity (TA), residual sugar (RS), alcohol and total phenolic content were also determined. The sparkling wine styles were separated on the PCA score plot based on their MIR spectral data; while the sparkling white wines showed separation based on production method, which strongly influenced the style and sensory properties of wine (i.e., the intensity of fruit versus yeast-derived characters). PLS calibrations of 0.73, 0.77, 0.82 and 0.86 were obtained for sweetness, tropical fruit, confectionary and toasty characters (on the palate), respectively.

Seasonal and Regional Variation of Green Aroma Compounds in Commercial Vineyards of Vitis vinifera L. Merlot in California

A field study was conducted from 2007 to 2010 to examine regional and seasonal variability of the main compounds responsible for green aromas in grapes and wines, 3-isobutyl-2-methoxypyrazine and C6 compounds. Sixty-nine commercial Vitis vinifera L. Merlot vineyards located in three distinctly different winegrape growing regions within the Central Valley of California were sampled at commercial harvest, fruit samples were analyzed for green aroma compounds and standard chemometrics, and several weather parameters such as growing degree days and rainfall were recorded at the vineyard level. Seasonal variation was found to be more important than regional variation, and similar trends among regions were found within each season. Temperature during the spring, a period of active growth, was found to be a significant driver of fruit green aroma compounds at harvest, likely due to its interactions with vine vigor and fruit shading.