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Publication Date

8-2013

Series Number

4847

Abstract

Smoke exposure of grapevines and the development of smoke-related characteristics in the resulting wines is an increasing issue for the wine industry. As Australia faces a warming climate with more bushfires, smoke exposure in vineyards is becoming more regular.

Wines made from grapes exposed to smoke during sensitive growth stages can exhibit aromas and flavours resembling smoked meat, disinfectant, leather, salami and ashtrays. Where unfavourable smoke characteristics are detected by consumers at high concentrations the wine may be unpalatable. Unsalable wines result in financial losses for producers with costs flowing on to wine brands, market presence and future sales.

Few tools and techniques are currently available to remedy the problem of smoke effect in grapes and wine, however a significant advancement has been the development of the Smoke Taint Risk calculator. The risk calculator (known as STAR) was developed by researchers at the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (DAFWA) and The University of Western Australia (UWA) and predicts the seasonal sensitivity of grapevines to smoke uptake and smoke flavour development in wine.

Number of Pages

21

ISSN

1833-7236

Keywords

Smoke, Viticulture, Winemaking

Disciplines

Viticulture and Oenology

Effect of smoke in grape and wine production

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