Wine testing and its importance

Wine is an alcoholic beverage made from fermented grapes or other fruits. The natural chemical balance of grapes allows them to ferment without the addition of sugars, acids, enzymes, water, or other nutrients. The process of winemaking involves crushing the grapes, extracting the juice, fermenting the juice with the help of naturally occurring yeasts, and aging the resulting wine.

Composition

Wine is primarily composed of water (85%) and ethanol (between 8 and 16% for non-fortified wines). The remaining 3% consists of various components such as phenolics, glycerol, other alcohols, amino acids, minerals, residual sugars, organic acids, aromatics, and sulfites. These components differentiate the flavors and characteristics of different wines.

Types of wine

There are two main types of grape wines: red and white.

• Red wines, crafted from black grapes, undergo fermentation with skins, seeds, and stems, resulting in a distinct red color and noticeable tannins.
• White wines, made from both white and black grapes, exclude skin fermentation, emphasizing a clear juice with crisp acidity instead of tannins.

Beyond the grape varieties, numerous factors, including location, tannins, sweetness, acidity, body, and flavors, contribute to a wine's character. Further categorizations include:

Wine testing and its importance

Wine testing is the sensory and scientific evaluation of wine to assess its quality, characteristics, and potential faults. It plays a crucial role in various aspects of the wine industry:

Quality Assurance:

Wine testing is integral to guaranteeing the quality and consistency of wine for consumers. It helps winemakers ensure that each batch meets the expected standards, providing a reliable and enjoyable product.

Grape Variety Verification:

Wine testing ensures the authenticity of the grape variety used in winemaking. This verification is crucial for adherence to labeling regulations and helps consumers trust that they are getting what is advertised on the label.

Fault Detection:

Wine testing plays a critical role in identifying faults, spoilage, contamination, or any undesirable characteristics in the wine. This early detection allows winemakers to take corrective measures and prevent the distribution of subpar products.

Pricing & Marketing:

The results of wine testing contribute to decisions regarding pricing and marketing strategies. Wines of higher quality, as confirmed by testing, may command premium prices, and the testing data can be used in marketing to highlight unique characteristics.

Winemaking Improvement:

Wine testing provides valuable feedback to winemakers. By analyzing the results, winemakers can understand the impact of their choices in the winemaking process. This feedback loop allows for continuous improvement, refinement of techniques, and the pursuit of excellence.

Regulations and Standards

FSSAI

• These regulations define Indian Brandy, low alcohol beverages, wines, and wine-based beverages as well as the tolerance limit (alcohol by volume-abv) of ethyl alcohol content.
• By July 1, 2021, all of these rules' requirements must be met by food business operators (FBOs).
• Either neutral alcohol, rectified spirit, or a combination of both must be used to make Indian brandy.
• Indian Brandy's name must be followed by the phrase "produced from molasses spirit/grain spirit/neutral spirit" in brackets on the label, with the letter size clearly visible.

Tolerance Limit: According to these laws, the tolerance level for ethyl alcohol concentration for products up to 20% alcohol by volume (ABV) is 0.3% (-0.5% for products up to 90 ml per bottle), and for products over 20% alcohol by volume (ABV), it is 1.0% (-1.5%) of the claimed strength. The tolerance limit for wine shall be 0.5.

Low alcoholic: Alcoholic beverages that are over 0.5 percent alcohol by volume but under 8.0 percent alcohol by volume may be referred to as low alcoholic beverages.

Limits for Different types of wines

• Dry Wine, which is a wine that contains up to 0.9 per cent sugar,
• Sparkling wine including Brut, Extra Dry, Dry, Semi Dry and Sweet based on sugar content and
• Fortified Wine, which is a wine with high alcohol content achieved by the addition of alcohol (brandy or wine spirits or neutral spirit of agricultural origin) provided a minimum 7 .0 per cent comes from fermentation of grapes, grape must and fruits and used as aperitif or dessert wine.
• Fortified wine may be red or white, dry or sweet.

Labelling: FBOs must, as required by

• Identify the country or state of origin of the wine,
• The range of sugar,
• The generic name of the grape or fruit variety used in descending order of quantity or raw material used,
• The vintage year, if such claims are made,
• The name of residues of preservatives or additives present as such, or in their modified forms, in the final product, and declare the name of the place, region, sub-region, or appellation, if 75% of the grapes used were from the same region.

Labelling Caution: For packages up to 200 ml in size, the statutory warning must be no smaller than 1.5 mm; for packages

European Union (EU):

Council Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007: This regulation establishes a common organization of the agricultural markets in the wine sector. It covers aspects like:

Grape varieties and designations: Defines recognized grape varieties and quality categories (e.g., Protected Designation of Origin, Protected Geographical Indication).

Production practices: Sets minimum standards for winemaking practices, including grape ripeness and vinification techniques.

Analytical requirements: Mandates tests for alcohol content, acidity, sugars, and various other parameters depending on the wine category.

United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA):

Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 211: This section of the CFR lays out current good manufacturing practices (cGMPs) for food, including wine. It emphasizes:

Sanitation and hygiene: Requires wineries to maintain hygienic conditions and implement food safety programs.

Labeling accuracy: Mandates truthful and accurate information on wine labels, including ingredients, allergens, and health claims.

Recordkeeping and traceability: Demands wineries to maintain records of ingredients, production processes, and distribution channels.

Mandatory and optional analyses

Mandatory analyses: These are legally required tests to ensure safety and compliance with regulations. They vary by country/region but typically include:

• Alcohol content: Measured for accurate labeling and taxation.
• Acidity levels: Affects taste, stability, and aging potential.
• Residual sugar: Determines sweetness and style (dry, off-dry, etc.).
• Sulfur dioxide: Antibacterial agent; controlled levels ensure safety and prevent wine oxidation.
• Heavy metals: Ensures levels are within safe limits.

Optional analyses: These provide detailed information about the wine's characteristics and potential, often conducted by wineries or professional tasters. Examples include:

• Aroma & Flavor Profile: Identifying specific fruits, flowers, spices, etc.
• Tannin level: Astringency factor influencing mouthfeel and structure.
• Phenolics: Antioxidants contributing to color, complexity, and aging potential.
• Volatile acidity: Can indicate spoilage if too high.
• Mineral analysis: Reflects terroir and influences taste.
• DNA analysis: Verifies grape variety composition.

Eurofins role in testing wine

Eurofins plays a major role in the world of wine testing, acting as a trusted partner for wineries, retailers, and consumers alike. Here's a breakdown of their diverse contributions:

Expertise and Technology:

Pioneering SNIF-NMR® technology: Developed by Eurofins founder, this patented technique is a gold standard for wine analysis, particularly for verifying authenticity and detecting chaptalisation (sugar addition).

Broad portfolio of analyses: They offer a comprehensive range of tests, covering mandatory parameters like alcohol content and acidity, as well as optional analyses like aroma/flavor profiling, geographical origin verification, and vintage checks.

Extensive laboratory network: Eurofins boasts a global network of accredited laboratories equipped with cutting-edge technologies, ensuring fast and accurate results.

Key Services:

Quality control and assurance: They help wineries ensure their wines meet legal requirements and maintain consistent quality through routine and pre-shipment testing.

Grape variety verification: Eurofins' advanced techniques help validate the grape composition of wines, protecting against mislabeling and fraud.

Fault detection: They identify spoilage, contamination, or unwanted characteristics to protect consumers and guide winemakers in improving their processes.

Sensory analysis: Their expert tasters provide valuable feedback on the wine's aroma, flavor, and overall balance, assisting winemakers in refining their styles.

Benefits for Stakeholders:

Wineries: Gain insights into their wines, improve quality, comply with regulations, and strengthen consumer trust.

Retailers: Ensure they offer safe and authentic wines, build customer confidence, and make informed purchasing decisions.

Consumers: Enjoy safe, genuine wines that meet their expectations and preferences.

References

1. Eurofins Wine Testing Website: https://www.eurofins.fr/food-authenticity/per-food-category/wine/
2. Eurofins SNIF-NMR® Technology: https://www.eurofins.com/food-and-feed-testing/food-testing-services/authenticity/snif-nmr-concept/
3. Eurofins India Wine Testing Services: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230117006028/en/Eurofins-Expands-Presence-in-Indian-Pharmaceutical-Market-With-New-State-of-the-Art-Hyderabad-Campus

4. https://www.fssai.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Compendium_Alcoholic_Beverages_Regulations

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