This study presents the effect of the application of high-power ultrasound to crushed grapes, at a winery-scale, on the content of varietal volatile compounds (free and glycosidically-bound) in musts and on the overall aroma of wines. Two different frequencies (20 kHz and 28 kHz) were tested and the combination of grape sonication and different maceration times on wine aroma was also evaluated. The volatile compounds were isolated by solid phase extraction and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, carrying out a sensory evaluation of wines by quantitative descriptive analysis. Sonication produced an increase in the concentration of free varietal compounds such as C₆ alcohols, terpenes and norisoprenoids in musts and also in wines made by 48 h of skin maceration, being less efficient in the extraction of the bound fraction. Fermentation compounds were also positively affected by ultrasound treatment, although this effect was variable depending on the frequency used, the maceration time and the type of compound. All the wines made from sonicated grapes had better scores in the evaluated olfactory attributes with respect to the control wines. Our results indicate that sonication could produce an increase in the content of some volatile compounds of sensory relevance, obtaining wines with an aroma quality similar or higher than those elaborated with longer maceration times.

Wine lees from two grape varieties (Vitis vinifera L. Cv. “verdejo” and “palomino”) were studied as natural preservatives in deer burgers compared with the traditional additive sodium ascorbate. Burgers packed in modified atmosphere packaging and stored in refrigeration were analyzed at 0, 4, 8, and 12 days. The addition of lees (2.5% and 5%) produced a reduction of pH and variations in color (L* and a*), higher antioxidant capacity and phenolic content, lower lipid and protein oxidation, and the inhibition of psychotrophic aerobic bacteria and enterobacteria during the storage time. Likewise, burgers with lees kept the aldehydes concentration (volatile compounds indicators of lipid oxidation) over storage time, while esters, acids, and other compounds, previously present in lees, increased. These changes provided new odor and taste attributes like wine, bakery, and raisin notes. Therefore, the addition of wine lees had an antioxidant and antimicrobial effect and produced new sensory attributes in deer burgers.

Ageing wine is a common practice used in winemaking, since the quality and sensory profile increase due to the extractable compounds coming from wood, by means of barrels or chips. The quantitative and qualitative compounds of the wood depend on the species, its origins and the treatments applied in cooperages. Traditionally, oak wood species are most often used in cooperage, specifically Quercus alba (Q. alba), Known as American oak and Quercus robur (Q. robur) and Quercus petraea (Q. petraea), both known as French oak. Although this stage is very common for red wines, its use is still restricted in the case of white wines. However, this topic is particularly interesting, since due to the sensorial benefits of wood contact, the option for ageing white wines in barrels or chips could be chosen by winemakers. This review compiles the novel strategies applied to white wines by means of wood contact in recent years with the aim to increase wine quality and sensorial features.