Comparative study of sodium bentonite and sodium-activated bentonite fining during white wine fermentation: its effect on protein content, protein stability, lees volume, and volatile compounds

In this work, we compare the effect of the addition during fermentation of both sodium bentonite and sodium-activated bentonite on the protein content, protein stability, lees volume, and aroma compounds of a Sauvignon blanc wine. Protein unstable Sauvignon blanc juices were vinified with or without bentonite added at three different stages: before fermentation, early during fermentation, and towards the end of fermentation. Different addition doses of bentonite were used (X, X − 0.1, X − 0.2 g/L) according to protein instability of the grape juice (X = 1.7 and 2.7 g/L to sodium bentonite and sodium-activated bentonite, respectively). The wines stabilized with sodium-activated bentonite presented a higher content of volatile compounds and a lower volume of lees were produced than those treated with sodium bentonite, an effect that was greater when the fining treatment was done before the start of the fermentation.