Effect of oxygenation on polyphenol changes occurring in the course of wine-making

The influence of controlled oxygenation on the colour and phenolic composition of red wine was studied by UV-VIS spectrophotometry, liquid chromatography (LC) coupled to diode array detection (DAD) and electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry, and thiolysis. The comparison between the control and oxygenated wines demonstrated changes in colour characteristics along with a significant increase in concentrations of pyranoanthocyanins, ethyl-bridged compounds and derived pigments both with storage time and with oxidation. Principal component analysis was applied to wine analysis data measured throughout the conservation period. The effect of the storage time and oxygenation was clearly reflected in this analysis.

Mass-spectrometric analysis of the wines demonstrated the presence of compounds which are markers of reactions involving acetaldehyde. Two types of mechanisms were observed. The first concerns acetaldehyde condensation reactions and the second, the cycloaddition process between anthocyanins and flavanols mediated by acetaldehyde, generating tannin-pyranoanthocyanins.

The presence in wines of trimeric structures resulting from these mechanisms, as well as the results obtained after thiolysis of the fraction containing polymeric species obtained by Fractogel chromatography, confirm that proanthocyanidins react with acetaldehyde in the same way as flavanol monomers.