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During barrel production, the oak undergoes several processing stages that contribute to wine and brandy flavours. The toasting step is considered to have the most important influence on oak wood chemical composition as it causes the thermodegradation of some oak wood components. However, the effect of toasting on distilled spirit quality has not been thoroughly studied. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the impact of barrel toasting on the cognac eau-de-vie sensory profile.

Since 2011, Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers (FIC) exempted alcoholic beverages above 1.2% abv from the mandatory list of ingredients and the nutrition declaration. In 2017, the European Commission invited the alcohol beverages industry to respond to consumers’ expectations and to present, within a year, a proposal of self-regulation on ingredients and nutritional information covering the whole sector.

The phenolic, aromatic and sensory evolution of a red wine under different oak aging conditions was evaluated. Neither phenolic nor fruity aromatic contents and profiles were impacted by the aging container or the derived oak products used. Meanwhile, a different woody aroma content was observed depending on the exposed wood area to wine volume ratio. From a sensory point of view, higher smoky, vanilla and/or spicy flavours were identified for all oak-aged wines when compared to the control (stainless steel tank), but they were all perceived as being as fruity as the control.

Los taninos enológicos se utilizan habitualmente en la elaboración del vino por diversos motivos (Versari et al., 2013; Vignault et al., 2018), entre los que destacan su acción inhibitoria de la actividad lacasa en las vendimias afectadas por la podredumbre gris y la protección del color del vino frente al pardeamiento. No obstante, hasta hace muy poco este efecto anti-lacasa era tan solo empírico sin que existieran pruebas científicas de ello. Por esta razón, la OIV creo un grupo de trabajo específico para estudiar las verdaderas aplicaciones de los taninos enológicos. Fruto de sus investigaciones son los resultados que se presentan a continuación que demuestran la efectividad de los taninos enológicos para inhibir la actividad lacasa y proteger de este modo el color del vino (Vignault et al., 2019; Vignault et al., 2020).

Ellagitannins are the main extractible oak wood phenolic compounds. These compounds are responsible for high wood durability and they can contribute to wine and spirits organoleptic quality (colour, astringency and bitterness). Despite their importance, their presence and forms in distilled spirits are not well known. Thus, the aim of this study was to develop and validate a measurement methodology and to quantify Cognac oak wood ellagitannins.

Cork taint, generally recognized by a musty or moldy off-flavor, is a serious problem facing the industry today when putting wines on the market. To assess the effectiveness of a food-grade plastic film in removing the compounds concerned, trials were carried out under real conditions. It was found that enological parameters as well as color are maintained, and there is no absorption of phenolic compounds or oak aromas. The plastic film improves the organoleptic quality of wines contaminated with haloanisoles, by reducing the concentration of compounds that give the cork taint and mask oaky and/or fruity aromas.

White wine is increasingly aged in oak barrels to enhance its stability, aromatic complexity and organoleptic properties. Thus, this research aimed to highlight chemical and sensory differences in Sauvignon Blanc wines linked to barrel size. Oenological parameters, color, total phenolics and fruity aroma were not generally impacted by barrel size. Meanwhile, the smaller the barrel, the higher the extraction of oak woody volatiles. From an organoleptic point of view, Sauvignon Blanc varietal aromas and typicity seemed to be better preserved by 500 L barrels.