Tips to Reduce Smoke Taint of Wine Grapes Posted on December 28, 2017 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Google+ Share on Reddit Share on Pinterest Share on Linkedin Share on Tumblr Exposure of wine grapes to smoke from forest and rangeland fires can lead to off tastes in the resulting wines that is typically referred to as “smoke taint”. Wines affected by smoke taint have been described as having the sensory characteristics of smoky, burnt, ash, smoky bacon, or ashtray. Although first recognized as an issue in wines from 2003 in Australia, other areas in the world (Canada, Greece, South Africa and California) have experienced smoke taint when fires have been in close production to vineyards. In California, the extended drought has increased tree stress in forested areas and along with high fuel loads has increased the potential for wildfires in many areas of the state. When combined with steep topography and optimal climatic conditions, these factors can produce fires that can burn for extended period of time. Fires release substantial quantities of gases, volatile organic compounds, particular matter and smoke. Smoke is an aerosol of small particulate matter and liquid droplets that carry organic compounds. The actual composition depends on fuel type, the temperature of the fire, and the wind conditions. The compounds in smoke primarily responsible for the taint are the free volatile phenols.Of the compounds identified in smoke, guaiacol and 4-methylguaiacol have been associated with contributing to the development of smoke taint in wines from smoke exposed grapes. Research has shown that when vines are exposed to smoke at different development stages, that the grapes and resulting wines can differ in the presence of smoke related compounds. The highest impact was when vines were exposed to smoke from the period from 7 days post veraison through harvest (see table 1). Table 1. Periods of sensitivity to smoke exposure that result in smoke aroma compounds in wine. Grapevine Growth Stage Potential for Smoke Uptake 4 inch shoots Low Flowering Low Pea Size Berries Variable (low to medium) Beginning of bunch closure Variable (low to medium) Beginning of veraison to 3 days post veraison Variable (low to medium) From 7 days post veraison to harvest (Kennison et al. 2011) High (Kennison et al. 2011) For smoke exposed vineyards the presence of smoke-related compounds such as guaiacol and 4- methylguaiacol can be analyzed in grape berries, grape juice, leaves, and wine. The levels of these compounds present in grape berries or juice can indicate if the fruit has been exposed to smoke. There are low levels of these compounds that can occur naturally in the berries. Both guaiacol and 4-methylguaiacol are mostly present in bound forms. The analysis determines the free fraction of these compounds that are present. The degree of potential smoke taint is generally correlated with their concentration. Although berry testing can be used to indicate a potential issue with smoke taint, fruit and wine processing has been shown to greatly influence the intensity of smoke- exposed characters in wines (see table 2). Table 2. Techniques to reduce smoke-related aromas, flavors and compounds during handling and processing grapes and wine. Technique Details Hand harvest fruit Minimize breaking or rupturing of the skins as long as possible Exclude leaf material Grapevine leaf material can contribute smoke related characteristics when in contact with fruit and juice Leaf plucking and water wash of grapevines Canopy leaf plucking followed by high-pressure cold water wash in the vineyard can remove ash however water wash to entire canopy (including leaves) can accentuate smoke compounds in fruit Maintain integrity of harvested fruit Fruit maceration and skin contact with juice can lead to higher concentrations of smoke-related compounds Keep fruit cool Fruit processed at 10°C had less extraction of smoke- related compounds compared to fruit processed at 25°C Whole bunch press Has been shown to reduce the extraction of smoke derived compounds particularly in whites Separate press fractions Smoke characters could be minimized in the first 400L/t when combined with fruit cooling. Free-run juice can contain less smoke characters Conduct fining trials pre- fermentation Carbon, PVPP and isinglass have shown variable effectiveness in reducing smoke effect but are not selective. Fermentation management requires further consideration after fining Consider yeast selection Some yeast strains can alter smoke-related aromas, flavors and chemical composition of wine Minimize fermentation time on skins Wine fermentation that reduces skin contact time can reduce smoke aromas and flavors Consider addition of oak chips and tannin Oak chips can reduce intensity of smoke characteristics through increased wine complexity Reverse osmosis of wine Reverse osmosis can be effective in smoke reduction however smoke-related characteristics found to return in the wine over time Market wine for quick sale Smoke-related characteristics can evolve in bottle over time as wine ages (From Brodison 2013) References Brodison, K. Effect of smoke in grape and wine production. Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia. Bulletin 4847. (2013). Herve, E., Price, S., and Burns, G. “Free Guaiacol and 4-Methylguaiacol as Markers of Smoke Taint in Grapes and Wines: Observations from the 2008 Vintage in California.”, Proceedings of the 9th Symposium International d’Œnologie, Bordeaux, France, (2011). Kennison K.R., Wilkinson, K.L., Pollnitz, A.P., Williams, H.G. and Gibberd, M.R. Effect of smoke application to field-grown Merlot grapevines at key phenological growth stages on wine sensory and chemical properties. Australian Journal of Grape and Wine Research 17: S5-S12. (2011). Krstic, M.P., Johnson, D.L. and Herderich, M.J. Review of smoke taint in wine: smoke-derived volatile phenols and their glycosidic metabolites in grapes and vines as biomarkers for smoke exposure and their role in the sensory perception of smoke taint. Australian Journal of Grape and Wine Research. 21: 537-553. (2015).
