Browsing by Author "Nell, Marissa"

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    Sensory characterisation of several red cultivar (Vitis vinifera L.) wines, using berry sugar accumulation as a physiological indicator and sequential harvest
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2015-03) Nell, Marissa; Du Toit, Wessel J.; Deloire, Alain; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Agrisciences. Dept. of Viticulture and Oenology.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The global wine industry has shifted to a more adopted ‘consumer-preference’ production. Modern wine consumers are more knowledgeable and cultivated in their understanding of wine quality, value and style. The quality of red wines mainly depends on grape composition, the wine making process and the ability of tasters to recognise sensory attributes. The harvest date/stage has an influence on the grape composition, thus making the decision on when to harvest an important factor in the production of quality wines or different wine styles. The traditional indicators used in the wine industry to determine time of harvest are more related to the perception of taste and mouthfeel and give little indication of the style of wine in terms of aromatic profile. A new physiological indicator using berry sugar accumulation for the purpose of sequential harvest is proposed to assist the winemaker in producing wines with possible different sensory profiles. This indicator can be used in association with the classical indicators of ripening to affect the diversity of wine styles from a single vineyard or a group of vineyards. The wines could thus have different potential aroma profiles, depending on when the grapes were harvested. The main aim of this study was to assess the effect of performing sequential harvest using a physiological indicator on red wine’s sensory composition. This was done to study the possible relation between harvest time (e.g. fruit composition evolution) and the wine styles/sensory attributes across the different harvest times, thereby possibly increasing the diversity of wine styles. A theoretical berry sugar loading concept was compiled and displays a phase of rapid sugar loading starting at véraison followed by a plateau phase. Depending on whether grapes were harvested in the beginning, mid or end of the plateau phase of fruit sugar accumulation the wines could have different potential aroma profiles. Three main stages: fresh fruit (FF), neutral (N) or pre ripe and mature fruit (MF) has been previously proposed using the sugar loading concept and in terms of harvesting dates. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes form Eikendal Vineyards, Stellenbosch were used to make wines according to sequential harvest. Four harvest stages were considered, pre fresh fruit (Pre FF), fresh fruit (FF), mature fruit (MF) and over ripe (OR). The wines were tasted and analysed using two different sensory techniques. In both Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon wines, the PreFF and OR stages could be more easily discriminated than the two harvest stages in-between, FF and MF. The results suggested that the wines made from the FF and MF stages could not be distinguished from each other in general when the attribute citation frequency method or sorting tasks were performed. However, a trend could be observed for both Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot wines in terms of aroma attributes with attributes changing from green to ripe fruit during ripening using expert tasters. Relevant research should be engaged to refine sequential harvest in order to obtain more diverse wine styles from a single site or a group of vineyards.