Factors affecting extraction and evolution of phenolic compounds during red wine maceration and the role of process modelling

A Mechanistic Model for the Extraction of Phenolics from Grapes During Red Wine Fermentation

Phenolic extraction is a critical part of red wine making. Though empirical models of phenolic extraction kinetics exist, the current level of mechanistic understanding does not allow for accurate predictions. In this work, we propose a mechanistic model for the extraction of phenolics from grape skins and seeds as a function of temperature and ethanol. This model examines the release of phenolics, the adsorption of phenolics onto grape material, and the disappearance of anthocyanins from solution. Additionally, we performed epifluorescence microscopy to explore our finding that seed tannins' release rate appears independent of concentration, and found that the grape seed appears to ablate over fermentation. We also determined the activation energy of anthocyanin disappearance, in good agreement with similar systems. The proposed model results in an excellent fit, and increases the understanding of phenolic extraction and the ability to predict and optimize product outcome in red wine making.

Malvidin-3- O-glucoside Chemical Behavior in the Wine pH Range

Anthocyanins are natural pigments responsible for the typical color of red wines and are critically associated with the wine commercial value and longevity. Thus, understanding the molecular bases of the anthocyanin chemical behavior in the complex wine environment is a central issue to the enological sector. By setting up a nuclear-magnetic-resonance-based experimental protocol, new important insights into the chemistry of malvidin-3- O-glucoside, a major wine anthocyanin, in model solution have been provided. Two new equilibrating isomers of the anthocyanin have been identified and quantified at typical wine pH values. More importantly, the key role of pH in determining the solubility and co-pigmentation process of malvidin-3- O-glucoside has been clarified. Consequently, a value of pH of about 3.3 or lower favors co-pigmentation while inhibiting the precipitation of significant quantities of anthocyanins during the maceration-extraction phase of the winemaking.

Microwave-Assisted Extraction Applied to Merlot Grapes with Contrasting Maturity Levels: Effects on Phenolic Chemistry and Wine Color

Merlot grapes were harvested with three maturity levels (21.1, 23.1, and 25.1 Brix), and processed with or without the application of microwave-assisted extraction (MW). The detailed phenolic composition and color were followed during winemaking. The MW treatment did not affect the basic chemical composition of the wines. Upon crushing, MW caused a 211% improvement in anthocyanins in the wines of the first harvest and an 89% improvement in the wines of the third harvest. At bottling, MW favored the formation of pyranoanthocyanins and tannin-anthocyanin dimers. Tannin extraction was not affected by MW just after application of this process, but improvements of 30, 20, and 10% on MW-treated wines of the first, second, and third harvest, respectively, were recorded at pressing. The formation of polymeric pigments during aging generally increased along with harvest date and was only favored in MW-treated wines of the first and third harvest, with preferential formation of small polymeric pigments, in accordance with enhanced anthocyanin extraction in these wines. Initial improvements of wine color upon application of MW in the wines of the first, second, and third harvest were of 275, 300, and 175%, respectively. Although these differences subsided or disappeared for the wines of the second and third harvest during aging, the wines of the first harvest treated with MW retained 52% more color than Control wines at day 150 post-crushing. Results suggest the MW treatment was more efficient in extracting and retaining phenolics and color when applied to unripe fruit.

Mass Transfer of Anthocyanins during Extraction from Pre-Fermentative Grape Solids under Simulated Fermentation Conditions: Effect of Convective Conditions

The colour of red wine is largely determined by the concentration of anthocyanins that are extracted from grape skins during fermentation. Because colour is a key parameter in determining the overall quality of the finished product, understanding the effect of processing variables on anthocyanin extraction is critical for producing a red wine with the desired sensorial characteristics. In this study, the effect of convective conditions (natural and forced) on the mass transfer properties of malvidin-3-glucoside (M3G) from pre-fermentative grape solids was explored at various liquid phase conditions representing stages of fermentation. A mathematical model that separates solid and liquid phase mass transfer parameters was applied to experimental extraction curves, and in all cases, provided a coefficient of determination exceeding 0.97. Calculated mass transfer coefficients indicated that under forced convective conditions, the extraction process was controlled by internal diffusion whereas under natural convection, both internal diffusion and liquid-phase mass transfer were relevant in determining the overall extraction rate. Predictive simulations of M3G extraction during active fermentation were accomplished by incorporating the current results with a previously developed fermentation model, providing insight into the effect of a dynamic liquid phase on anthocyanin extraction.

Changes in the Composition of the Lactic Acid Bacteria Behavior and the Diversity of Oenococcus oeni Isolated from Red Wines Supplemented with Selected Grape Phenolic Compounds

Phenolic compounds are important components of wine and are known to have an impact on the physiology of wine microbes. The influence of specific sub-sets of phenolic compounds on the growth and metabolism of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and on the diversity of Oenococcus oeni in inoculated and non-inoculated red wines was investigated during malolactic fermentation (MLF) and subsequent storage. Representative O. oeni strains from wines treated with flavonols and trans-resveratrol were isolated and analyzed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis of rare restriction enzyme digests (REA-PFGE). 28 days after MLF initiation, strains from all samples had entered the death phase, except those supplemented with trans-resveratrol. In the non-inoculated samples, the onset of lactic acid production was apparently delayed by all compounds tested, except for the flavan-3-ols. Increased levels of phenolics also delayed citrate consumption in inoculated samples. PFGE analysis revealed 22 genetic profiles, and some profiles were characteristics of specific samples. The commercial starter used in the inoculated wines did not dominate during MLF. The effect of the phenolics studied was dependent on the origin and concentration of each as well, as the fermentation stage and whether the wines were inoculated. The effect of flavonols and trans-resveratrol seemed to be strain-dependent, which could have implications on the final quality of wines.

Modelling the Mass Transfer Process of Malvidin-3-Glucoside during Simulated Extraction from Fresh Grape Solids under Wine-Like Conditions

Extraction of grape components is a key consideration for red winemaking. The impact of changing process variables on mass transfer properties of anthocyanins from fresh pre-fermentative red grape solids under forced convective conditions was explored using the dominant red grape anthocyanin, malvidin-3-glucoside (M3G) as a model solute. A two level full factorial design was implemented to investigate effects of temperature, sugar and ethanol on mass transfer properties. Factor levels were chosen to simulate conditions found at various points during the maceration and fermentation steps of the red winemaking process. A rigorous mathematical model was developed and applied to experimental extraction curves, allowing the separation of mass transport properties in liquid and solid phases in a wine-like system, for the first time. In all cases, the coefficient of determination exceeded 0.92, indicating good agreement between experimental and mathematically-solved M3G concentrations. For the conditions studied, internal mass transfer was found to limit M3G extraction and changes to the liquid phase composition and temperature influence the distribution constant. Surface response models of mass transfer parameters were developed to allow future simulations of fermentation scenarios aimed at maximising the extraction potential of M3G.

Evolution of Sangiovese Wines With Varied Tannin and Anthocyanin Ratios During Oxidative Aging

Changes in phenolic compounds, chromatic characteristics, acetaldehyde, and protein-reactive tannins associated with oxidative aging were studied in Sangiovese wines with varied tannin T/anthocyanin A ratios. For this purpose, three Sangiovese vineyards located in Tuscany were considered in the 2016 vintage. To obtain wines with different T/A ratios, two red wines were produced from each vinification batch: a free run juice with a lower T/A ratio and a marc pressed wine with a higher T/A ratio. An overall of six wines with T/A ratios ranging between 5 and 23 were produced. An oxidation treatment (four saturation cycles) was applied to each wine. Average and initial oxygen consumption rates (OCR) were positively correlated to VRF/mA (vanilline reactive flavans/monomeric anthocyanins) and T/A ratios while OCRs were negatively related to the wine content in monomeric and total anthocyanins. The higher the A content was, the greater the loss of total and free anthocyanins. A significant lower production of polymeric pigments was detected in all pressed wines with respect to the correspondant free run one. A gradual decrease of tannin reactivity toward saliva proteins after the application of oxygen saturation cycles was detected. The results obtained in this experiment indicate that VRF/mA and T/A ratios are among the fundamental parameters to evaluate before choosing the antioxidant protection to be used and the right oxidation level to apply for a longer shelf-life of red wine.