Red wine coloration: A review of pigmented molecules, reactions, and applications

Micro‑oxygenation in red wines: Current status and future perspective

Micro‑oxygenation (MOX) is the technology providing a slow and continuous oxidation reaction in the whole winemaking process to improve wine quality. However, traditional methods of oxygen management struggle to achieve a precise control over oxygen at critical process points, failing to meet the personalized and diverse production demands of wine. In this paper, an overview of three application stages of MOX, and the detailed dosage and duration at each stage were summarized. In addition, the application prospect of the new MOX application facility in wine production was proposed. Compared to passive MOX, active MOX could allow a more precise control of oxygen. The innovation of MOX equipment based on active MOX technique will be an inspiring interest in the research of winemaking. The integration and development of precise MOX will achieve the targeted control of wine quality and the creation of distinctive characteristics of wine style.

Effect of micro-oxygenation on color of wines made with toasted vine-shoots

BACKGROUND

Toasted vine-shoots (SEGs) are an enological tool to improve wines, to differentiate them, and to encourage sustainable wine production. Micro-oxygenation (MOX) is typically combined with the use of alternative oak products to simulate the oxygen transmission rate of traditional barrel aging, affecting wine color. Its use alongside SEGs has been studied.

RESULTS

Tempranillo wines were treated with SEGs at two doses (12 and 24 g L-1) after malolactic fermentation at two fixed micro-oxygenation levels: (a) low, which received 6.24 ± 0.87 mg L-1·month-1 of oxygen; and, (b) high, which received 11.91 ± 0.71 mg L-1·month-1 of oxygen. The wines were bottled and stored for 6 months. At the end of the treatment, MOX affected the anthocyanins and color parameters, but not the enological characteristics. At this time, the anthocyanins content reduction presented a negatively significant correlation with oxygen for wines treated with 12 g L-1. The factors that most influenced the development of color parameters during the time after bottling were the period for which the wine evolved in the bottle and SEG dose. The visual sensorial descriptors showed an evolution according to aged red wines, but without differences according to the SEG-MOX treatments.

CONCLUSION

The SEG-MOX treatments caused significant changes in wine color. It would be advisable to adjust SEG-MOX techniques to increase their effectiveness. © 2024 The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Wine metabolome and sensory analyses demonstrate the oenological potential of novel grapevine genotypes for sustainable viticulture in warm climates

BACKGROUND

Genetic breeding is essential to develop grapevine genotypes adapted to warm climates and resistant to pathogens. Traditionally cultivated Vitis vinifera is susceptible to biotic and abiotic stresses. Winemakers and consumers, however, perceive wines from non-vinifera or hybrid cultivars as inferior. In this study, sensory analyses and comprehensive metabolite profiling by targeted and untargeted approaches were used to investigate the oenological potential of wines from grapes of genotypes developed throughout four breeding cycles to improve climate adaptation, sugar contents and berry color.

RESULTS

Novel genotypes had higher yields and the wines exhibited increased contents of polyphenols, including anthocyanins. Volatile monoterpenes in the wines decreased throughout breeding cycles in the absence of selective pressure. Polyphenol contents were higher in intermediate wines, with hydroxytyrosol contents reaching up to three times reported values. Mouthfeel attributes astringency, leafy taste, flavor and body, and persistency showed significant correlation with untargeted features. Supervised model-based analyses of the metabolome effectively discriminate wines from distinct genetic origins.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, the results demonstrate the potential of novel grapevine genotypes to a more sustainable viticulture and quality wine production in warm climates. Comprehensive metabolite profiling of the wines reveals that genotype clustering is dependent on the chemical class and that traits not submitted to selective pressure are also altered by breeding. Supervised multivariate models were effective to predict the genetic origin of the wines based on the metabolic profile, indicating the potential of the technique to identify biomarkers for wines from sustainable genotypes. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

On-vine drying (passérillage) improves the quality of "Hutai No. 8" table grape wine: Focusing on phenolics, aromas, color and sensory attributes

On-vine drying (passérillage) was employed for Hutai No.8 table grapes with different water loss rates and that are used for winemaking to alter the qualities of wine. Results showed that on-vine drying increased sugar content, thereby elevating alcohol and glycerol contents in the resulting wine. A moderate drying treatment (D2, 18 % water loss) produced wine with optimal red color characteristics. The D2 wine contained abundant individual phenolics such as caffeic acid, salicylic acid, resveratrol, p-coumaric acid, and proanthocyanidin B1, which exhibited strong positive correlations with color parameters (a⁎, C*ab and △E*ab). Similar trends were observed in aroma compounds, with ethyl acetate, ethyl caproate, diethyl succinate, geraniol, linalool, 4-terpinenol, α-terpineol, and β-ionone contents showing significant increment in D2, aligning with enhanced sensory evaluations of wines. Thus, improvement of wine quality can be achieved through moderate on-vine drying (18 % water loss)，serving as a valuable reference for table grape winemaking.

Enhancing the color and astringency of red wines through white grape seeds addition: Repurposing wine production byproducts

The clear juice fermentation technique for white wines suggests that white grape seeds, rich in flavan-3-ols and proanthocyanidins, are not effectively utilized in the winemaking process. This study incorporated 'Gewürztraminer' grape seeds into 'Cabernet Sauvignon' must before cold soak to investigate how the resultant red wines' phenolic compound profiles, color, and astringency were affected. The results showed that adding seeds primarily inhibited the leaching of flavan-3-ols from both skins and seeds. A significant increase in the levels of flavan-3-ols, tannins, and phenolic acids, as well as direct and aldehyde-bridged flavan-3-ol-anthocyanin polymers, were observed in the wines with additional seeds. This led to the improvement in the wine' red hue and its resistance to SO2 bleaching. Furthermore, the wine added with seeds exhibited stronger astringency compared to those without. The findings provide a promising winemaking strategy to improve color stability and intensify the astringency of red wines through the utilization of grape seeds.

Wine Phenolic Compounds: Chemistry, Functionality and Health Benefits

Wine phenolic compounds, often known as polyphenols, are a diverse group of secondary bioactive compounds derived from grapes. They play a crucial role in defining the sensory characteristics, functionality, and health benefits of wine. This review explores the complex chemistry of these compounds, focusing on key classes such as flavonoids, which include flavanones, flavonols, anthocyanins, and flavan-3-ols, and non-flavonoids, such as hydroxycinnamic acids, hydroxybenzoic acids, and stilbenes. The health benefits of wine phenolics, particularly their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, are also discussed in relation to preventing and reducing the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular diseases, cancers, and neurodegenerative conditions. Furthermore, this review summarized the most current data from human population-based research that investigated the bioactivity of these red wine phytochemicals with relevant health benefits for NCDs. Finally, this review proposes some perspectives for future research to better understand the bioavailability, metabolism, and long-term health effects of these compounds.

The characteristics of polysaccharide composition of red wines in China: Effects of grape varieties, origins and winemaking techniques

In this work, the polysaccharide profile of different grapes and red wines in China was studied and the influences of two common winemaking techniques on the components of wine were analyzed. The soluble polysaccharide content in the skins of native grape species in China (non-Vitis vinifera grapes) was significantly higher than that of Vitis vinifera species, while the terroir effect on V. vinifera varieties was limited. The combination of the enzyme preparation and the addition of mannoproteins (MPs) at the beginning of alcoholic fermentation (MP1 + E) could increase the contents of MPs and acid polysaccharides (APS) compared to the control wines. Meanwhile, better color characteristics and higher level of anthocyanin derivatives were observed. However, MP1 + E treatment reduced the content of polysaccharides rich in arabinose and galactose (PRAGs) due to enzymatic hydrolysis. The study will provide useful information for winemakers to regulate the wine polysaccharide profile.

Characterization of chemical and sensory properties of Cabernet Sauvignon and Marselan wines made by flash détente technique

This study aimed to characterize the sensory profiles of wines produced using the flash détente (FD) technique and to identify the flavor compounds contributing to the sensory characteristics. The FD technique was applied to two major grape varieties, Cabernet Sauvignon and Marselan, from the Changli region of China to produce high-quality wines with aging potential. Compared to the traditional macerated wines, the FD wines showed greater color intensity, mainly due to the higher levels of anthocyanins. Regarding the aroma characteristics, FD wines were found to have a more pronounced fruitness, especially fresh fruit note, which was due to the contribution of higher concentration of esters. Concurrently, FD wines showed an increased sweet note which was associated with increased lactones and furanones. In addition, FD wines exhibited reduced green and floral notes due to lower levels of C6 alcohols and C13-norisoprenoids. With regard to mouthfeel, FD wines presented greater astringency and bitterness, which was due to the higher levels of phenolics. The total concentration of condensed tannins and condensed tannins for each degree of polymerization was considerably higher in FD wines due to the strong extraction of the FD technique. A significant increase in grape-derived polysaccharides and glycerol was also found in FD wines, contributing to a fuller body. This study contributed to an increase in the knowledge of the Changli region and demonstrated that the FD technique could be applied to the wine production in this region to address the negative impacts of rainfall in individual vintages.

Metabolomic analysis to unravel the composition and dynamic variations of anthocyanins in bayberry-soaked wine during the maceration process

In this work, we employed a global untargeted metabolomics technique to explore the intricate composition of anthocyanin constituents in bayberry wine and elucidate their alteration during the maceration process. Our analysis uncovered 20 distinct forms of anthocyanins in bayberry wine, including cyanidin-type, delphinidin-type, peonidin-type, malvidin-type, and other-type. 'Dongkui' (DK) bayberry wine was characterized by a predominance of glycoside forms of cyanidin-type and delphinidin-type anthocyanins, while 'Shuijing' (SJ) bayberry wine mainly contained other-type anthocyanins. Additionally, differential anthocyanins analyses conducted across various maceration periods demonstrated the different fate of the components in the wine, with a conspicuous decline in most glycosidic form anthocyanins. Moreover, correlation analysis revealed that the red hue of bayberry wine was primarily associated with cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, cyanidin-3-O-rhamnoside, delphinidin-3-O-arabinoside, and delphinidin-3-O-galactoside. This research contributes to our understanding of the anthocyanin composition and the dynamic variations in bayberry wine, opening avenues for further exploration and optimization of production techniques in the future.

Metabolite and transcriptome analyses reveal the effects of salinity stress on the biosynthesis of proanthocyanidins and anthocyanins in grape suspension cells

Proanthocyanidins (PAs) and anthocyanins are flavonoids that contribute to the quality and health benefits of grapes and wine. Salinity affects their biosynthesis, but the underlying mechanism is still unclear. We studied the effects of NaCl stress on PA and anthocyanin biosynthesis in grape suspension cells derived from berry skins of Vitis vinifera L. Cabernet Sauvignon using metabolite profiling and transcriptome analysis. We treated the cells with low (75 mM NaCl) and high (150 mM NaCl) salinity for 4 and 7 days. High salinity inhibited cell growth and enhanced PA and anthocyanin accumulation more than low salinity. The salinity-induced PAs and anthocyanins lacked C5'-hydroxylation modification, suggesting the biological significance of delphinidin- and epigallocatechin-derivatives in coping with stress. The genes up-regulated by salinity stress indicated that the anthocyanin pathway was more sensitive to salt concentration than the PA pathway, and WGCNA analysis revealed the coordination between flavonoid biosynthesis and cell wall metabolism under salinity stress. We identified transcription factors potentially involved in regulating NaCl dose- and time-dependent PA and anthocyanin accumulation, showing the dynamic remodeling of flavonoid regulation network under different salinity levels and durations. Our study provides new insights into regulator candidates for tailoring flavonoid composition and molecular indicators of salt stress in grape cells.

Leaching and evolution of anthocyanins and aroma compounds during Cabernet Sauvignon wine fermentation with whole-process skin-seed contact

This study explores the leaching and evolution of anthocyanins and aroma compounds during wine-making, using an industrial-scale vinification of Cabernet Sauvignon with whole-process skin-seed contact. The results indicated that compounds within the same class displayed similar evolutionary patterns during fermentation. The extraction of anthocyanins, C6 aldehydes, and β-damascenes occurred continuously during cold soak, accompanied by the conversion of C6 aldehydes into alcohols and hydrolytic release of glycosidic β-damascenone. During alcoholic fermentation, pyranoanthocyanins, polymeric pigments, esters, benzene compounds, higher alcohols, and acids were generated. The concurrent occurrence of malolactic fermentation and prolonged maceration led to aromas associated with lactic acid bacteria metabolism. Finally, a comparison between free-run wine and pressed wine revealed high concentrations of C6 compounds and polymeric pigments with flavanol dimers in the pressed wine. These results can be used as a reference to optimize the vinification process to enhance the red due and fruity aromas of the wine.

New System for Simultaneous Measurement of Oxygen Consumption and Changes in Wine Color

The design, construction and validation of a device for the accurate measurement of the dissolved oxygen content in wine and simultaneously the variation of its spectral fingerprint is presented. The novelty of this system is due to two innovative approaches. First, robustness in measurements is obtained by using cuvettes designed to simultaneously measure the dissolved oxygen and color. Secondly, automatic monitoring is performed to ensure that measurements are always taken at the same cuvette position. The fine-tuning of the device with the study of white and red wines makes it possible, on the one hand, to establish the appropriate measurement conditions and, on the other hand, to determine the amount of oxygen required to cause specific changes in the wine spectrum, information that could not be obtained until now. The preliminary results are very interesting, presenting precise data on the amount of oxygen consumed by the wine and the variations in its visible spectrum, thus reflecting the modification of the responsible phenolic compounds. This information is of great interest, since it helps to optimize the handling of the wine and, if necessary, to moderate the uptake of oxygen in each type of wine to ensure the maintenance of the color during the winemaking and conservation processes of each type of wine. The results of the experiments indicate that this new instrument is feasible and accurate for detecting oxygen changes during wine production.

A Biomass-Based Colorimetric Sulfur Dioxide Gas Sensor for Smart Packaging

Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) gas, which can effectively prohibit the growth of pathogenic microorganisms, has been internationally used in commercial food packaging to maintain high-quality food and reduce the incidence of foodborne illnesses. However, the current mainstream methods for SO₂ detection are either large and expensive instruments or synthesized chemical-based labels, which are not suitable for large-scale gas detection in food packaging. Recently, we discovered that petunia dye (PD), which is extracted from natural petunia flowers, demonstrates a highly sensitive colorimetric response to SO₂ gas with its total color difference (ΔE) modulation reaching up to 74.8 and detection limit down to 1.52 ppm. To apply the extracted petunia dye in smart packaging for real-time gas sensing and food-quality prediction, a flexible and freestanding PD-based SO₂ detection label is prepared by incorporating PD in biopolymers and assembling the films through a layer-by-layer approach. The developed label is utilized to predict grapes' quality and safety by monitoring the embedded SO₂ gas concentration. The developed colorimetric SO₂ detection label could potentially be used as an intelligent gas sensor for food status prediction in daily life, food storage, and supply chains.

The complexities of proanthocyanidin biosynthesis and its regulation in plants

Proanthocyanidins (PAs) are natural flavan-3-ol polymers that contribute protection to plants under biotic and abiotic stress, benefits to human health, and bitterness and astringency to food products. They are also potential targets for carbon sequestration for climate mitigation. In recent years, from model species to commercial crops, research has moved closer to elucidating the flux control and channeling, subunit biosynthesis and polymerization, transport mechanisms, and regulatory networks involved in plant PA metabolism. This review extends the conventional understanding with recent findings that provide new insights to address lingering questions and focus strategies for manipulating PA traits in plants.

Comparison of Chemical and Sensory Profiles between Cabernet Sauvignon and Marselan Dry Red Wines in China

The differences in chemical and sensory characteristics between Marselan and Cabernet Sauvignon in China were investigated with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (HPLC-QqQ-MS/MS), combined with color parameters and sensory data. The paired t-test results showed that terpenoids, higher alcohols, and aliphatic lactones were significantly different according to the grape variety. Meanwhile, terpenoids could be considered as marker aroma compounds to distinguish Marselan wines from Cabernet Sauvignon, which could explain the distinct floral note in Marselan wines. The mean concentrations of the mv-vsol, mv-vgol, mv-vcol, mvC-vgol, mv-v(e)cat, mvC-v(e)cat, mv-di(e)cat, and cafA were higher in Marselan wines than Cabernet Sauvignon wines, and these compounds might confer Marselan wines with a deeper color, more red hue, and higher tannin quality. The phenolic profiles of Marselan and Cabernet Sauvignon wines were influenced by the winemaking process, mitigating the varietal differences. As for sensory evaluation, the intensities of herbaceous, oak, and astringency of Cabernet Sauvignon were more pronounced than Marselan, whereas the Marselan wines were characterized by a high color intensity and more redness, together with floral, sweet, and roasted sweet potato attributes, and tannin roughness.

Development of an irradiation equipment to accelerate the degradation of rosé wine in antique green and flint bottles

Flint bottles make rosé wines more attractive to the customers and, also, allow them to detect oxidation problems in the color of these wines. Nonetheless, transparent bottles do not protect wines from light. In this work, a device capable of accelerating the degradation of rosé wines using W lamps radiation for short times of exposure has been developed. This equipment has been used to accelerate the color photodegradation of rosé wines, allowing, thus, to identify which parameters can be used as markers of such degradation. The irradiation treatment applied to rosé wines bottled in different types of glass (Flint and Antique Green glass) influenced all the samples. However, the wines treated in Flint bottles displayed more important color variations, especially in color intensity (CI) and hue, than the wines treated in Antique Green bottles. These changes entailed a quality loss of rosé wines that can be appreciated with a naked eye. The yellow component of rosé wines treated in transparent bottles increased the detriment of the red and blue ones. Therefore, color parameters such as CI and a*, together with the total anthocyanin content, seem to be good markers of the loss of quality of rosé wines due to the light effects. The next step will be to find a physical, chemical or physical-chemical protection strategy that, when applied to transparent glass, allow to achieve the light-filtering properties of green glass bottles.

Comparison of Chromatic and Spectrophotometric Properties of White and Red Wines Produced in Galicia (Northwest Spain) by Applying PCA

Wine is a complex matrix composed of numerous substances and color has an important influence on its quality and consumer acceptance. Color is affected by numerous factors such as pre-fermentation and fermentation operations, ageing, contact or addition of certain substances. In this study, different chromatic parameters were determined in 99 wines (58 red and 41 white) made from Galician (Northwest Spain) grape varieties. These parameters were obtained by using simple, rapid, and inexpensive spectrophotometric methodologies: color intensity, hue, total polyphenols content (Total Polyphenol Index TPI, Folin–Ciocalteu index, FCI), total anthocyans, total tannins, and color coordinates measured by the CIELab system. The influence of ageing in barrels (red wines) or using chips (white and red wines) on these parameters was also studied. A principal component analysis (PCA) was carried out to characterize the wines according to their chromatic characteristics. Application of PCA to the experimental data resulted in satisfactory classifications of studied white and red wines according to the cited enological practices.