Search

Consumer research provides insight into market acceptance, preference, and perception of foods and beverages. We aimed to investigate the effect of irrigation on consumer acceptability of white wines. Experiments comparing irrigated against rain-fed Albariño and Godello vines were conducted from 2012 to 2014 on three areas in NW Spain: Rías Baixas, Ribeiro and Valdeorras. Wines were tasted by approximately 50 consumers each year. Consumers rated their hedonic liking of each wine using a 5-point qualitative scale (from “dislike” to “like extremely”). Consumer acceptance was analyzed using descriptive and multivariate techniques. Albariño wines from Rías Baixas showed very similar results for 2013 and 2014. However, in 2012, rain-fed wines were preferred by consumers. In Ribeiro, in 2014, Albariño wines from irrigation were preferred over those from rain-fed. Godello wines were similarly accepted by consumers; however, wines from the rain-fed treatment tended to receive higher marks than those from the irrigated treatment. Results depended on variety and year. This work suggests that irrigation might affect the sensory profile of Galician white wines. Hence, it contributes to the knowledge base in that it is the first to investigate consumer preference in Galician wines from two cultivars grown in three different Designations of Origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clarification of the musts is carried out to remove particles that cause turbidity, oxidizable polyphenols, and eliminate excess of proteins. However, an excessive clarification of the musts can lead to the reduction of volatile compound concentrations and, as a consequence, modify the sensorial properties of the wines. Therefore, in this study, the influence of two pre-fermentation clarification techniques (static settling and flotation) on the concentrations of volatile compounds has been assessed in Albariño and Treixadura wines. Fermentations were performed at an industrial scale. Volatile compounds have been identified and quantified by gas chromatography (FID and mass spectrometry detection) and expert panelists assessed the sensory properties of the final wines. The results showed effects of the clarification techniques on the volatile composition of wines from both varieties. Flotation significantly increased the concentrations of benzyl alcohol in Treixadura wines, whereas this technique increased the concentration of 1-hexanol, octanoic acid, and furfural in Albariño wines, but without exceeding the corresponding perception thresholds. Panelists tended to score higher the wines coming from flotation, which, together with the shorter application time, makes this technique suitable for clarifying the musts of these two white varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aroma is a crucial attribute for wine quality, particularly in white wines. Traditionally, the consumption of young white wines is recommended over the year following grape harvest due to potential aroma losses that would worsen wine quality. This study aimed to investigate the evolution of volatile compounds, odor activity value-based aroma notes, and sensory perception in Treixadura (Vitis vinifera L.) dry white wines during a 24-month bottle-aging period. Volatile composition was determined by gas chromatography, and wine sensory evaluation was performed by experts. Wine samples had similar volatile compositions at the time of bottling. The volatile contents of the wines were respectively 322.9, 302.7, 323.0, and 280.9 mg L−1 after 6, 12, 18, and 24 months of bottle storage. Most of the volatiles tended to maintain constant concentrations, or with slight increases in all families of volatiles except for acetates and carbonyl compounds, until two years after harvest (18 months of bottle storage) and, then, concentrations reduced sharply. After 24 months of storage in the bottle, the concentrations of terpenes, C6 compounds, higher alcohols, ethyl esters, fatty acids, acetates, carbonyl compounds, and volatile phenols were reduced by 32%, 47%, 11%, 39%, 50%, 74%, 41%, and 54%, respectively. The 18-month bottle-aged wines showed the highest concentrations of volatiles, as well as the best performance in the sensory evaluation, suggesting that a good balance of the aroma attributes was achieved on this date. In conclusion, the current study suggests that Treixadura wines expressed their maximum aroma potential two years after grape harvest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amino acids play a relevant role in wine quality and can allow for classifying wines according to the variety. In this work, the amino acid contents of Albariño, Godello, and Treixadura wines, three autochthonous varieties from Galicia (NW Spain), were determined. During three consecutive vintages, these varieties were grown on the same vineyard and were harvested at optimum maturity, and the wines were elaborated following the same enological protocol. The identification and quantification of the primary amino acids were carried out by high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection, after a derivatization. Amino acid contents in these white varieties were within the range of values reported for other European wines, but Treixadura wines showed the highest concentrations, while wines from the Albariño variety showed the lowest contents. Apart from proline, whose concentrations were caused by yeast release, the most abundant amino acids were aspartic acid, glutamic acid, lysine, arginine, asparagine, alanine, and histidine. Principal component analysis separated wines by variety according to their amino acid contents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]