Influence of Microwave Radiation on Whiskey Distillate Quality Indicators

The paper aims to evaluate the quality indicators of the whiskey distillate during its maturation under the influence of microwave radiation based on the method of multiple regression analysis to determine the optimal technological parameters for its production. In the course of solving the problem of product import substitution, we tested the patented technology for producing strong alcoholic beverages at the stage of their aging, using oak chips with various degrees of heat treatment. One of the promising areas for intensifying the process of whiskey distillate maturation is applying “green technologies”, with microwave heating being one of them. Positive results were obtained for the effect of microwave radiation on the process of target component extraction from oak chips with a water-alcohol solution. The duration of this extraction process was reduced by more than 2 times, which confirmed its intensity in relation to the classical method. The obtained regression models proved adequate, since the mean relative error varied within 10%. The chromatographic analysis of the whiskey produced at the optimal technological parameters showed that all physical and chemical properties and product safety meet the requirements of the applicable regulations and standards.

On the influence of the degree of burning of oak chips on the physico-chemical and organoleptic parameters of whiskey

Исследованы физико-химические и органолептические показатели виски, полученные из зернового дистиллята, выдержанного с щепой различной степени обжига. Отмечено, что при выдержке дистиллятов с щепой в дистиллят переходят фенольные и фурановые соединения, характеризующие тона выдержанного виски. Лучшие органолептические показатели отмечены для образцов, выдержанных со щепой среднего и сильного обжига. The physico-chemical and organoleptic characteristics of whiskey obtained from grain distillate aged with wood chips of various degrees of roasting were studied. It is noted that when distillates are aged with wood chips, phenolic and furan compounds that characterize the tones of aged whiskey pass into the distillate. The best organoleptic parameters were noted for samples aged with medium-and high-burning wood chips.

Effect of Oak Chips Application on Phenolic Compounds of Wine Vinegars at Different Maturation Times

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of oak chips-supplementations on phenolic compound profiles of grape vinegar samples. Total acidity, volatile acids, non-volatile acids, pH, dry extract, ash, color, alcohol, total phenolic compound, individual phenolic compounds and aroma compounds of un supplemented control (UC) samples and oak chips-supplemented (OCS) samples were analyzed at the 0th, 1st and 3rd months of ageing. Total phenolic compound of UC vinegar samples was measured as 1256.50 mg GAE/L at the end of the 3rd month. Total phenolic compound of OCS vinegar samples was measured as 1521.03 mg GAE/L at the end of the 1st month and as 1470.67 mg GAE/L at the end of the 3rd month. Gallic acid, catechin and vanillic acid contents of UC vinegar samples were respectively measured as 8.43 mg/L, 22.26 mg/L and 1.78 mg/L at the end of the 3rd month. Gallic acid, catechin and vanillic acid contents of OCS vinegar samples were respectively measured as 19.12 mg/L, 17.98 mg/L and 2.58 mg/L at the end of the 3rd month. The 3-hydroxy-2-butanone, hexadecanoic acid methyl ester, 9,12-octadecadienoic acid methyl ester and 9-octadecanoic acid methyl ester quantities increased at the end of the 3rd month with oak chips-supplementation to ageing process. It was observed that oak chips-supplementation increased total phenolic compound and some individual phenolics of grape vinegar samples.

Accelerating Aging of White and Red Wines by the Application of Hydrostatic High Pressure and Maceration with Holm Oak (Quercus ilex) Chips. Influence on Physicochemical and Sensory Characteristics

Background: The use of holm oak (Quercus ilex) chips as a potential alternative wood and the application of hydrostatic high pressure (HHP) as an alternative technique to accelerate the release to the wine of wood-related compounds within a short processing time were evaluated. Methods: Five treatments were investigated: (i) bottling without any treatment (B); (ii) and (iii) bottling after maceration (5 g/L) of holm oak chips with HHP treatments (400 MPa, 5 and 30 min) (HHP5, HHP30); (iv) bottling after maceration during 45 days with chips (M), and; (v) maceration in tanks without chips (T). The effects of treatments on general parameters, polyphenols, color, and sensorial characteristics of red and white wines were investigated over 180 days. Results: HHP5, HHP30, and M increased the polyphenols content, thus modified the chromatic characteristics regarding B and M treatments of white wines, also the tasters differentiated HHP5, HHP30, and M from B and T. However, these effects were not observed in red wines. Thus, the effect of the wood depends on the type of wine in which it is used. Conclusions: This research contributes to better knowledge about these chips as a new alternative wood species and the use of HHP as a useful technology to accelerate the aging of wines.

Influence of Oak Chips and Oak Barrel Ageing on Volatile Profile in Chardonnay Wine of Romania

The influence of the addition of oak chips and barrel ageing on basic wine parameters and volatile compounds of Chardonnay wines has been studied. Chardonnay wines were obtained by the traditional wine-making process. Oak chips (4 g/L—non-toasted and light toasted) were added at the final stage of the winemaking process for ageing 1, 2 and 3 months, respectively. Also, the control wine was aged in non-toasted barrels for the same period of time. Following Liquid-liquid extraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis, alcohols, esters, fatty acids, lactones, and phenolic compounds were identified and quantified. The light toasted wine was clearly separated by phenolic compounds (vanillin, p-vinyl guaiacol and acetovanillone). The floral aroma supplied by 2-phenylethanol was slowly increased by ageing with odor activity values (OAV) higher in aged samples than control wine (1.07). The vanilla scent could be easily perceived in all aged samples, mainly for light toasted chip-treated samples with OAV values between 2.30 and 2.37. After 3 months, the volatile compounds of wine from non-toasted medium (chips and barrels) were almost similar from the volatile profile point of view. This could have economic and vinification management implications since oak barrels are expensive and the wine oak barrel aging is a long process. All wines studied in this research can provide a viable alternative to young varietal wines.

Chemistry and Technology of Wine Aging with Oak Chips

The use of wood chips is a common winemaking practice that has been permitted in Europe since the early 2000s. The use of oak chips, or other wood alternative products, has not always been favorably viewed by both producers and wine consumers. Beyond possible misuse, however, wood chips are a useful tool for the optimal achievement of numerous oenological objectives, including the extraction of certain volatile odor compounds from oak wood chips as well as compounds that will improve wine quality. This chapter deals with the main oenological uses of oak wood chips, the chemical transformations that underlie this practice and the effect of their utilization on wine quality. A final aspect concerns the main compositional and sensory differences between wines aged in barrel and those aged with alternative products, as well as the discriminative analytical methods used for this purpose.

Effect of wine maturing on the colour and chemical properties of Chardonnay wine

Untreated chardonnay wine was used as the raw material for this study. The wine samples were divided into three groups and monitored over 32 weeks. Three ways of wine maturation were used: glassware, wooden barrel and the addition of oak chips for 6 weeks, which can significantly increase total polyphenols (P < 0.05) and flavonoids (P < 0.05) concentration. The use of oak shavings had a comparable effect to the oak barrels. The use of oak shavings can replace wood barrels in the maturation process. The oak shavings also achieved lower oxygen concentration (P < 0.05) in wine. Ageing the Chardonnay increased (P < 0.05) the polyphenol concentration and had an impact on the wine colour under the different maturation conditions.