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Backgrounds and Aims: Individual differences in the perception of wine flavour may contribute to variation in wine consumer behaviour. Two phenotypes shown to associate with the intensity of oral sensations elicited by simple solutions are thermal taster status (TTS) and responsiveness to the bitterant 6- n-propylthiouracil (PROP). Thermals tasters (TTs) perceive ‘phantom’ tastes when the tongue is thermally stimulated. Here, we investigate the effect of TTS and PROP responsiveness on the perceived intensity of oral sensations elicited by wine. Methods and Results: Two white (2008 Pinot Grigio, Italy and 2007 Gewürztraminer, Canada) and two red (2007 Valpolicella, Italy and 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, Chile) wines were assessed by 20 TTs and 20 thermal non-tasters (TnTs). TTs rated the intensities of sweet, sour, bitter, astringent and overall flavour higher than TnTs, and males (17) tended to rate these sensations higher than females (23). Unexpectedly, PROP responsiveness was not associated with intensity ratings of oral sensations for any wine ( P( r) > 0.05). Neither TTS, PROP responsiveness, nor gender was linked with liking scores of the wines. Conclusion: TTS may be an important determinant of individual differences in oral perception of wine. Significance of Study: Understanding how individuals differ in their perception of wine can assist with product development, formulation and marketing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2-Isopropyl-3-methoxypyrazine (IPMP) is the compound responsible for the off-flavor known as ladybug taint, which occurs when Harmonia axyridis beetles become incorporated with the grapes during juice processing. It is also an important grape-derived component of juice flavor in some varieties. The main objective of this study was to determine the orthonasal (ON) and retronasal (RN) detection thresholds for IPMP in juice. The ASTM E679 ascending forced choice method of limits was used to determine detection thresholds for 26 individuals in Concord and Niagara juices. Group best estimate thresholds (BETs) averaged 0.93 ng/L and were 50% and 21% higher in Concord than in Niagara juices for ON and RN evaluation, respectively. Group BETs for IPMP (ng/L) for Concord were ON: 1.11; RN: 1.02 and for Niagara were ON: 0.74; RN: 0.84. Variation in individual detection thresholds was observed, although familiarity with ladybug taint was not associated with individual threshold values. We conclude that humans are very sensitive to IPMP in juice, and that detection thresholds are more strongly influenced by grape variety than evaluation mode. These results may assist juice producers in establishing tolerance levels for IPMP in juice affected by ladybug taint or derived from grapes of suboptimal ripeness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2-isopropyl-3-methoxypyrazine (IPMP) is a grape-derived component of wine flavor in some wine varieties as well as the causal compound of the off-flavor known as ladybug taint (LBT), which occurs when Harmonia axyridis beetles are incorporated with the grapes during juice and wine processing. The main objective of this study was to obtain robust estimates of the orthonasal (ON) and retronasal (RN) detection thresholds (DTs) for IPMP in wines of differing styles. The ASTM E679 ascending forced choice method of limits was used to determine DTs for 47 individuals in 3 different wines—Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, and a red wine blend of Baco Noir and Marechel Foch. The group best estimate thresholds (BETs) obtained for IPMP (ng/L) were Chardonnay, ON: 0.32; Gewürztraminer, ON: 1.56, RN: 1.15, and red wine blend, ON: 1.03, RN: 2.29. A large variation in individual DTs was observed. Familiarity with LBT was inversely correlated with DTs for Gewürztraminer, and no difference in thresholds was observed between winemakers and nonwinemakers. We conclude that the human DT for IPMP is extremely low and influenced significantly by wine style and evaluation mode. We recommend against the reporting of single-threshold values for wine flavor compounds, and encourage the determination of consumer rejection thresholds for IPMP in wine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME)-GC-MS methodology was established for the analysis of 3-alkyl-2-methoxypyrazines (MPs) in wine using a stable isotope dilution assay. The compounds analysed were 3-isobutyl-2-methoxypyrazine (IBMP), 3-sec-butyl-2-methoxypyrazine (SBMP), and 3-isopropyl-2-methoxypyrazine (IPMP) using their respective deuterated analogues ([2H3]-IBMP, [2H3]-SBMP, [2H3]-IPMP) as internal standards, synthesised during this work. A divinylbenzene/carboxene/polydimethylsiloxane (DVB/CAR/PDMS) fibre was selected for isolation of MPs and the effects of matrix parameters such as pH and ethanol concentration were examined in the development of the method. Best results were obtained at a pH of approximately 6 and with a wine dilution factor of 1:2.5, resulting in an ethanol concentration of approximately 5% (v/v). Relative standard deviations (RSDs) of replicate samples were 5.6-7% for all MPs at 5 ng L(-1) and <5% for 15 and 30 ng L(-1) samples. The limit of detection was <0.5 ng L(-1) in juice and 1-2 ng L(-1) in wine. The recovery efficiencies for spiked wine samples were between 99 and 102% for all three MPs. Using this method, we investigated the impact of the Multicoloured Asian Lady Beetle (MALB) on MPs in wine. In red wine fermented with live MALB, IPMP is the most prevalent MP detected, although SBMP concentrations are also increased and IBMP is unchanged from background levels. MALB that have been dead for 1 day before addition to juice can still contribute to elevated SBMP concentrations in wine, but not if they have been dead for 3 days or longer. Clarifying juice prior to fermentation leads to substantially lower IPMP concentration in the subsequent wine when compared with unclarified juice.