Molecularly imprinted polymers help get the stink out of smoke-tainted wine

Wildfires can damage crops, even if flames come nowhere near the plants. One outcome can be an unpleasant flavor and smell of wine that is made from grapes exposed to smoke. But researchers report in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry that they have developed a way to lessen this smoke taint to improve the palatability of the wine.

Volatile compounds are responsible for many of the appealing aromas and flavors of food and beverages, including wine. These compounds come from the grapes themselves, as well as during the fermentation and aging processes. But not all volatile compounds present in wine are desirable: Some, produced by bacteria or yeast, smell like nail polish remover, rotten eggs, burnt rubber or onions. If grapes absorb volatile compounds from wildfires, the resulting wine can take on a disagreeable smoky, ashy or medicinal character that compromises quality and reduces value.

Producers use a variety of adsorbents to remove these unpleasant compounds from wine. However, these techniques can also remove desirable constituents that contribute to the beverage’s color, bouquet and flavor. So Kerry Wilkinson and colleagues decided to investigate whether the volatile compounds responsible for smoke taint could be selectively removed with the aid of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs).

MIPs are synthetic materials that can bind to one or more target compounds. The researchers hoped to use the polymers to fish the smoky substances out of wine, while leaving the tasty and visually appealing components in place.

The team added beads made of MIPS—either contained in muslin or mesh bags or floating freely in the liquid—and then used chemical analysis, as well as taste-testing panels of experts, members of the public, students and staff to evaluate the results. In some cases, the MIPs were regenerated by rinsing them after extraction to remove the smoke compounds, enabling them to be reused.

In terms of improving the wines’ sensory characteristics and removing unpleasant volatile phenols, the researchers found that adding MIPs to wine after fermentation was more effective than adding MIPs during fermentation. In addition, regenerating the MIPs generally enhanced removal of smoke volatile compounds. Although the MIPs also adsorbed some desirable compounds associated with aroma, flavor and red wine color, the researchers say the project showed that the method can be used successfully to reduce the perception of smoke taint.