Influence of Patagonian Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Oenococcus oeni strains on sensory perception of Pinot Noir wine after malolactic fermentation

International audienceBackground and Aims: The aim of this work was to study the effect of two Patagonian malolactic starters, Oenococcus oeni UNQOe 73.2 and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum UNQLp 11, on the wine composition and sensory perception after MLF of Pinot Noir wine. Methods and Results: Both strains increased the concentration of procyanidin, diminished the concentration of phenolic substances and increased the colour intensity of the wine after MLF. The volatile profile of both strains differed to that of the Control, particularly the esters, vanillin and some terpenes. The attributes acidity and astringency, black and dried fruits and spicy attributes were features of the wine fermented with both strains. Conclusions: Both strains were able to conduct MLF, to increase colour intensity and to change the flavour of the wine with some differences. The wine fermented with UNQLp 11 had a greater frequency of bitterness, whereas the wine fermented with UNQOe 73.2 had a greater frequency of butter. Significance of the Study: Knowledge of the effect of Patagonian starter cultures on consumer perception of the wine after fermentation has been improved

The physics behind the fizz in champagne and sparkling wines

Bubbles in a glass of champagne may seem like the acme of frivolity to most of people, but in fact they may rather be considered as a fantastic playground for any physicist. Actually, the so-called effervescence process, which enlivens champagne and sparkling wines tasting, is the result of the fine interplay between CO2 dissolved gas molecules, tiny air pockets trapped within microscopic particles during the pouring process, and some both glass and liquid properties. Results obtained concerning the various steps where the CO2 molecule plays a role (from its ingestion in the liquid phase during the fermentation process to its progressive release in the headspace above the tasting glass as bubbles collapse) are gathered and synthesized to propose a self-consistent and global overview of how gaseous and dissolved CO2 impact champagne and sparkling wine science. Physicochemical processes behind the nucleation, rise, and burst of gaseous CO2 bubbles found in glasses poured with champagne and sparkling wines are depicted. Those phenomena observed in close-up through high-speed photography are often visually appealing. I hope that your enjoyment of champagne will be enhanced after reading this fully illustrated review dedicated to the science hidden right under your nose each time you enjoy a glass of champagne. Gérard Liger-Belair: He received his PhD in physical sciences in 2001 from the University of Reims, in France. He received an associate professor position at the University of Reims in 2002, and a full professor position, in 2007, in the same University. He has been researching the physics and chemistry behind the bubbling properties of champagne and sparkling wines for several years. His current interests include the science of bubbles, foams and thin films, and their broad interdisciplinary applications. He is the author of several academic and popular science books. His first book, Uncorked: the science of champagne, published by Princeton University Press, won the 2004 award for the Best Professional/Scholarly Book in Physics from the Association of American Publishers