Silvia Pérez-Magariño

Application of absorbance values used in wineries for estimating CIELAB parameters in red wines

Abstract Multiple and simple regression analyses were assessed to establish mathematical models that allow the evaluation of CIELAB parameters from absorbance values at 420, 520 and 620 nm. All these variables were measured in 180 commercial red wines, using 130 of them to obtain the mathematical models. The results showed that the CIELAB parameters L *, a * and C * for the CIE D65/10° illuminant/observer conditions can be correctly estimated (with small standard error of estimation) from absorbance values at 520 nm, as an independent variable. However, the parameters h and b * showed higher average errors between the predicted and observed values, but they were correctly estimated using multiple linear regression models with the three absorbances at 420, 520 and 620 nm ( b *) or using the ratio of A420 to A520 as independent variable ( h ). The models obtained could be helpful to wineries that in general, do not have the necessary equipment and software to determine the CIELAB parameters, which are recognized as being the best parameters for defining the colour of wines.

Comparative study of artificial neural network and multivariate methods to classify Spanish DO rose wines

Classical multivariate analysis techniques such as factor analysis and stepwise linear discriminant analysis and artificial neural networks method (ANN) have been applied to the classification of Spanish denomination of origin (DO) rose wines according to their geographical origin. Seventy commercial rose wines from four different Spanish DO (Ribera del Duero, Rioja, Valdepeñas and La Mancha) and two successive vintages were studied. Nineteen different variables were measured in these wines. The stepwise linear discriminant analyses (SLDA) model selected 10 variables obtaining a global percentage of correct classification of 98.8% and of global prediction of 97.3%. The ANN model selected seven variables, five of which were also selected by the SLDA model, and it gave a 100% of correct classification for training and prediction. So, both models can be considered satisfactory and acceptable, being the selected variables useful to classify and differentiate these wines by their origin. Furthermore, the casual index analysis gave information that can be easily explained from an enological point of view.

Optimization of a Solid-Phase Extraction Method Using Copolymer Sorbents for Isolation of Phenolic Compounds in Red Wines and Quantification by HPLC

Different solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridges for the isolation of most of the phenolic compounds present in wines in low concentration were assayed and compared with the C18 SPE sorbent, which is the most common sorbent used for the isolation of these compounds. The use of C18 cartridges has several disadvantages; therefore, a SPE method using copolymer cartridges was developed, optimized, and validated. The method proposed seems to be a good alternative to replace C18 cartridges for the isolation of wine phenolic compounds. The advantages of the proposed SPE method with the HLB cartridge are that interferences can be eliminated with water without losing the compounds of great interest; the method has very good repeatability, reproducibility, and high percentages of recovery; it has a higher sensitivity and loading capacity than silica-based C18 cartridges due to the larger surface area of this type of sorbent, and the method is not adversely affected by drying, being more reproducible than C18 cartridge.

Volatile compounds and sensorial characterization of wines from four Spanish denominations of origin, aged in Spanish Rebollo (Quercus pyrenaica Willd.) oak wood barrels.

The evolution of almost 40 oak-related volatile compounds and the sensorial characteristics of red wines from four Spanish denominations of origin (DOs) (Bierzo, Toro, Ribera de Duero, and Rioja) during aging in barrels made of Rebollo oak wood, Quercus pyrenaica, were studied and compared to the same wines aged in American and French oak barrels. Each oak wood added unique and special characteristics to the wine, and in addition, each wine showed a different ability to extract the compounds, which result in these characteristics from the oak wood. In general, wines aged in Q. pyrenaica wood were characterized by high levels of eugenol, guaiacol, and other volatile phenols. In regards to compounds like cis-whiskylactone or maltol, the behavior of this wood is very similar to that of American oaks. When considering phenolic aldehydes and ketones, the levels of these compounds are intermediate between those of French and American woods and depend greatly on the type of wine. The type of oak, on the other hand, does not affect the chromatic characteristics of the wines. In sensory analysis, the biggest differences are found in the olfactory phase. Among the four DOs studied, wine aged in Q. pyrenaica presented the highest notes of wood, with more aromas of roasting, toasting, milky coffee, spices, or wine-wood interactions. The wines aged in barrels made of Q. pyrenaica wood were highly regarded, and preference was shown for them over those same wines when they had been aged in barrels of American or French oak.

Importance of chip selection and elaboration process on the aromatic composition of finished wines.

The evolution of volatile compounds extracted from wood while being macerated for 1 month with four different commercial chips (different geographical origins and toasting degrees) was studied. Furthermore, the effect of the microoxygenation process between alcoholic and malolactic fermentation also was studied. The wood volatile compounds in wines macerated with the four types of chips evolved in the same way. However, the amounts of compounds extracted depended on the type of chip used. There were differences in the levels of vanillin, cis-whiskey lactone, furfural, trans-isoeugenol, and cis-isoeugenol in wines in accordance with the type of wood chips (French or American), and the last two compounds along with 5-methyl furfural presented differences that were directly related to the toast level. However, no effects of microoxygenation treatment on the extraction of volatile compounds extracted from chips were observed. Therefore, the results obtained in this study highlight the importance of chip selection on the aromatic characteristics of finished wines.

Multivariate classification of rosé wines from different Spanish protected designations of origin

Abstract Wine composition depends on many factors which are especially important for quality wines from specific regions, such as protected designation of origin (PDO) wines. Nineteen analytical parameters were analysed in commercial rose wines from different Spanish PDOs (Ribera del Duero (RD), Rioja (Rj), Valdepenas and La Mancha (M-V)), and from two consecutive vintages. Stepwise linear discriminant analysis (SLDA) was used to differentiate and classify these wines by their geographical origin. All the wines were made from “similar” varieties of grapes. The final model selected 12 variables, being ethanol and calcium the most important variables for the differentiation of the three PDOs. The evaluation of the model was done by crossvalidation, obtaining a global percentage of correct classification of 98.8% and of global prediction of 97.3%. These results can be considered satisfactory and acceptable, and the selected variables can be useful to differentiate these wines by their origin.

Effect of micro-oxygenation and wood type on the phenolic composition and color of an aged red wine.

Many studies have recently been published focused on the effects of micro-oxygenation on the quality of wines, its application modes, and doses, etc. However, there are still few scientific papers on how previously micro-oxygenated wines perform during storage or barrel aging. This study focused on the evolution of the phenolic composition, especially of anthocyanins, and color, together with astringency and tannins, during micro-oxygenation before barrel aging. In addition, to evaluate whether wine evolution during aging depends on barrel type, wines were aged in four different oak barrel types. Tempranillo wines, some micro-oxygenated before malolactic fermentation and others not, were aged for 12 months in American, French, Central European, and Spanish oak, following wine evolution during that period. The study was carried out for two consecutive vintages. Results showed that all wines evolved similarly; therefore, the micro-oxygenation treatment neither accelerated nor delayed the typical changes of aging. Slightly different evolutions were detected according to the barrel wood type, whether or not the wine was micro-oxygenated. The varied evolutions must therefore be associated with the differences from each oak type (structure, grain and density, composition, etc.).

Volatile compounds of red wines macerated with Spanish, American, and French oak chips.

The volatile composition of a red wine aged for 2 months with three different Spanish oak chips (Quercus pyrenaica and Quercus petraea) from different regions of Castilla y León was compared with that of wines aged with American and French chips. In general, the extraction kinetics showed that the maximum concentration of the volatile compounds extracted from wood can be reached in only 1 month. In the final wines, the levels of furanic aldehydes and eugenol were higher in the wines macerated with Spanish chips, whereas cis-whiskey-lactone, vanillin, and methyl vanillate showed higher levels in wines treated with American chips. Among the wines treated with the different Spanish chips, the differences observed in the volatile composition were more related to the geographical origin of the forest than to the botanical species. In general, the wines macerated with Spanish chips showed levels of oak-related volatile compounds that were more similar to those macerated with French chips than to those macerated with American chips.

Techniques for improving or replacing ageing on lees of oak aged red wines: The effects on polysaccharides and the phenolic composition

Alternative techniques to the ageing on lees are being looked for in order to guarantee the improvements provided by this technique but eliminating its disadvantages. The aim of this work was to study the effect of ageing on lees and other alternative techniques (addition of β-glucanase enzymes to the lees; use of different yeast commercial preparations with or without β-glucanase enzymes; use of non-toasted oak chips; and ageing on lees together with micro-oxygenation) on the phenolic compounds, colour, proteins, polysaccharides and sensorial characteristics of red wines during vinification and ageing in oak barrels for 6months on two consecutive vintages. Only the use of lees together with micro-oxygenation seemed to have a positive effect on the colour stability, due to the formation of new pigments that allows the intensity and blue notes of wines to be maintained during the barrel ageing process. All the techniques studied released total and neutral polysaccharides, although the type and content of these compounds depended on the technique used, and the yeast derivative added. No clear effect was observed with the use of β-glucanase enzymes. The sensory analysis showed that some of the wines treated were better valued than the control wines. The results obtained indicated that is difficult to select the technique that allows us to obtain the best quality wine.

Role of major wine constituents in the foam properties of white and rosé sparkling wines

The chemical composition of sparkling wines is directly related to their foam quality, but the compounds responsible are not yet completely established. This work aims at identifying the contribution of the different wine compounds to the foaming properties of white and rosé sparkling wines. Our results demonstrated the positive contribution of anthocyanins and amino acids to the foamability parameters HM (maximum height reached by foam after CO2 injection) and HS (foam stability height during CO2 injection), and the negative contribution of proanthocyanidins. Mannoproteins and polysaccharides rich in arabinose and galactose (PRAG) were poor foam formers but good foam stabilizers. The different forms of malvidin showed the highest influence on the HM and HS parameters, followed by amino acid compounds, mainly β-alanine. The model to explain foam stability was only predicted by polysaccharides from grapes, concretely PRAG. To our knowledge, this is the first time these correlations in sparkling wines have been described.