Toasted Vine Shoots as an Alternative Enological Tool. Impact on the Sensory Profile of Tempranillo Wines during Bottle Aging

The use of toasted vine shoots (SEGs) as an enological tool is a new practice that seeks to improve wines by differentiating between them and encouraging sustainable wine production. The sensorial impact during bottle aging of wines treated with SEGs is a key factor to consider. This paper studies the influence of SEGs on Tempranillo wines treated with their own SEGs in two different doses (12 and 24 g/L) at two differences moments (during alcoholic fermentation and after malolactic fermentation) throughout 1 year of bottle aging. The results indicate that addition moment is the factor that most affects the evolution of sensorial descriptors. The greatest evolution in the wines was observed during the first 4 months, wherein improved integration of the notes related to addition of SEGs occurred. A reduction in the perception of dryness and bitterness was observed in the treated wines, therefore, SEGs could be considered accelerators to eliminate these initial sensations from wines.