Project Number
IWBT 02-03
Project title
The occurrence of malolactic fermentation in rebate wine and its influence on brandy quality
Project leader
Du Toit, M A
Institution
University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of AgriSciences. Institute for Wine Biotechnology
Team members
Lambrechts, M G
Muller, C A
Steger, C L C
Project description
The aims of this study are to investigate the extent to which malolactic fermentation does occur in South African rebate wine. To investigate whether and to what extent, a rebate wine having undergone malolactic fermentation differs organoleptically before and after undergoing double distillation to a 70% volume strength wine spirit.
In producing an acceptable base wine to be used for distillation into brandy, no sulphur dioxide may be added to the must or wine at any stage of its production. As sulphur dioxide is the winemaker’s most effective anti-oxidative and antimicrobial agent, base wines thus become far more susceptible to spoilage via oxidation and by microbial activity. Many of the base wines are also often forced to spend considerable periods of time in storage tanks, as the distilleries try to cope with the large influx of wine arriving continuously during harvesting season. Yeast autolysis can occur resulting in the release of nutrients that facilitate the growth of lactic acid bacteria during this period. The chances of lactic bacteria being present in the wine and performing malolactic fermentation are thus high.
The sensory qualities of wines, especially white wines having undergone malolactic fermentation, may vary considerably. Recent studies have also indicated that the malolactic strain used may also profoundly alter the sensory qualities of the wine. Although this change is largely a consequence of the resultant increase in pH, lactic acid bacteria can produce other compounds such as acetaldehyde, diacetyl, acetic acid and acetoin, and are also able to convert diacetyl to 2,3 butanediol. These compounds may all affect the organoleptic qualities of the wine.
Presentation(s)
- Lambrechts, M G, Du Plessis, H W, Steger, C L C, Du Toit, M A and Pretorius, I S. 1999. The occurrence and influence of lactic acid bacteria on the quality of brandy base wine. Paper presented at 24th International Wine Congress. 5-9 July, Mainz, Germany.
- Lambrechts, M G, Du Plessis, H W, Steger, C L C, Du Toit, M A and Pretorius, I S. 1999. Lactic acid bacteria and their effect on brandy base wine. Paper presented at the 17th International Conference of the International Committee on Food Microbiology and Hygiene. 13-17 September, Veldhoven, The Netherlands.
- Lambrechts, M G, Du Plessis, H W, Steger, C L C, Du Toit, M A, Dicks, L M T and Pretorius, I S. 1999. Occurrence and characterisation of lactic acid bacteria in base wines for brandy making. Paper presented at the 24th National Congress of the South African Society for Enology and Viticulture. 18-19 November, Somerset West, South Africa.
- Lambrechts, M G, Du Plessis, H W, Steger, C L C, Du Toit, M A, Dicks, L M T and Pretorius, I S. 2000. The occurrence and characterisation of lactic acid bacteria in brandy base wine. Paper presented at the 2nd International Congress of the South African Society for Enology and Viticulture. 8-10 November, Cape Town, South Africa.
- Lambrechts, M G, Du Plessis, H W, Steger, C L C, Du Toit, M A, Dicks, L M T and Pretorius, I S. 2000. The occurrence and characterisation of lactic acid bacteria in brandy base wine. Paper presented at the BIOY2K Combined Millennium Meeting. 23-28 January, Grahamstown, South Africa.
- Lambrechts, M G, Du Plessis, H W, Steger, C L C, Du Toit, M A and Pretorius, I S. 2002. The influence of malolactic fermentation on brandy aroma. Paper presented at the 26th National Congress of the South African Society for Enology and Viticulture. 13-15 November, Somerset West, South Africa.
- Lambrechts, M G, Du Plessis, H W, Steger, C L C, Du Toit, M A, Dicks, L M T and Pretorius, I S. 2003. The occurrence of malolactic fermentation in brandy base wine and its influence on brandy quality. Paper presented at the 1st FEMS Congress of European Microbiologists. 29 June – 3 July, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
- Lambrechts, M G, Du Plessis, H W, Steger, C L C, Du Toit, M A and Pretorius, I S. 2004. The impact of malolactic fermentation on South African rebate wine. Paper presented at the 12th Australian Wine Industry Technical Conference, 24-29 July, Melbourne, Australia.
- Lambrechts, M G, Du Plessis, H W, Steger, C L C, Du Toit, M A, Dicks, L M T and Pretorius, I S. 2004. The occurrence of malolactic fermentation in brandy production. Paper presented at the 13th Conference of the South African Society for Microbiology. 2-5 April, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
Article
Du Plessis, H W, Steger, C L C, Du Toit, M A, Lambrechts, M G. 2002. The occurrence of malolactic fermentation in brandy base wine and its influence on brandy quality, Journal of Applied Microbiology, v. 92 (5) (p. 1005-1013)
Du Plessis, H W, Dicks, L M T, Pretorius, I S, Lambrechts, M G, Du Toit, M A. 2004. Identification of latic acid bacteria from South African brandy base wines, International Journal of Food Microbiology, v. 91 (1) (p. 19-29)
Du Plessis, H W, Snyman, C L C, Du Toit, M A, Lambrechts, M G. 2004. Die voorkoms van appelmelksuurgisting in Suid-Afrikaanse rabatwyn, WineLand, Mnth Apr (p. 81-82)
Thesis
Du Plessis, H W. 2002. The role of lactic acid bacteria in brandy production. M.Sc. University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch.