Wine finish, the tastes and aromas that linger after swallowing wine, is a critical aspect of wine quality.
The objective of this study was to use time-intensity (TI) methodology to determine whether the finish
parameters of different flavors varied as a function of wine matrix composition. Trained panelists (n = 10)
executed TI evaluations on three flavor compounds (2-phenylethanol (floral), 3-isobutyl-2-methoxypyrazine
(bell pepper), and oak lactone (coconut)), heat, and astringency in wine adjusted to varying ethanol
and tannin levels. Multivariate analysis of variance indicated that elevated ethanol increased duration
and intensity of the finish for floral and coconut samples (p < 0.05). For floral and bell pepper, no significant
differences were shown using canonical variates analysis (CVA); however, for coconut, the high ethanol
samples were more associated with a higher finish intensity and longer duration of finish. Flavor
interactions also affected finish duration, with coconut (oak lactone) finish duration shortened by
10.35 s in the presence of 2-phenylethanol. These results showed that the wine matrix affects red wine
finish and can be used by winemakers to understand how different processing techniques that alter the
ethanol and tannin content of their wines, may also be affecting the sensory qualities of the wine finish.
Published by Elsevier Ltd.