Evolution of the aroma composition of wines supplemented with grape flavour precursors from different varietals during accelerated wine ageing

The wines obtained by fermentation of a model medium supplemented with flavour precursors from different grape varieties (Muscat, Chardonnay, Grenache, Tempranillo, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Verdejo, and Syrah) were submitted to an accelerated ageing at 50 degrees C for 9 weeks simulating maturation in the bottle. The volatile compounds coming from grape flavour precursors were extracted by SPE and determined by CC-MS at the end of the alcoholic fermentation and after 1, 3, and 9 weeks of ageing. In general, the biggest changes were observed in the first week of accelerated ageing, most compounds showing a significant increase and a further steady decrease in their concentrations. Unexpectedly, Riesling acetal, 1,1,6-trimethyl-1,2-dihydronaphthalene (TDN), and trans-1-(2,3,6-trimethylphenyl)buta-1,3-diene (TPB) also followed this trend. However, vanillin derivatives, furan linalool oxides, 3-oxo-beta-ionone, actinidols, 4-ethylphenol, and guaiacol showed a continuous increase during the ageing process. Syrah and Muscat were the most different varieties after fermentation and also at the end of the process. Differences between the rest of the varieties increased during the accelerated ageing, and, in most cases, differences were in accordance with those observed after acid and enzymatic hydrolysis of the grape precursor extracts. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.