Izquierdo Cañas P.M. 1, Guri Baiget S.2*, GarcÃa Romero E.3, Cejudo MartÃn de Almagro V.4, Mallen Pomes J.5
1 Instituto Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Forestal de Castilla-La Mancha (IRIAF), IVICAM, Ctra. Albacete s/n, 13700 Tomelloso, Ciudad Real, Spain
2 Carburos Metálicos S. A.- Air Products Group. Avda de la Fama 1, 08940 Cornellà de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
3 Instituto Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Forestal de Castilla-La Mancha (IRIAF), IVICAM, Ctra. Albacete s/n, 13700 Tomelloso, Ciudad Real, Spain
4 Carburos Metálicos S. A.-Air Products Group. Avda de la Fama 1, 08940 Cornellà de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
5 Carburos Metálicos S. A.-Air Products Group. Avda de la Fama 1, 08940 Cornellà de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
* Corresponding author: guribas@carburos.com
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Introduction
Sulphur dioxide (SO2) has a significant importance in Oenology because of its antioxidant and antibacterial properties (1, 2). From the sensorial point of view, SO2 can give unpleasant flavors and odors to wine (3) and also the presence of sulfites in wines can lead to pseudo-allergic reactions in some people (4). That's why the international Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV) has reduced the maximum limits of the total SO2 in wines.
The aim of this work is to study the possibility of replacing SO2 partially or totally, by saturating the must with CO2.
Material and methods
Three types of wines were made from the same Airén and Chardonnay must and under the same conditions: Control wine (A= 0% CO2-50 mg/L SO2), reduction of SO2 in half (B= 100% CO2-25 mg/L SO2) and total reduction of SO2 (C= 100% CO2-0 mg/L SO2). For obtaining wines B and C the must was saturated with CO2. The equipment used to achieve CO2 saturation at atmospheric pressure was an Inyecvin (Carburos metálicos), which has a porous diffuser that helps the diffusion of CO2 into the must.
The oenological parameters of all wines were analyzed according to the official methods of the OIV, its volatile composition by GC-MS and finally were evaluated sensory by consumers and expert tasters.
Results
By saturating the musts with CO2 and decreasing doses of SO2, the alcoholic fermentation starts earlier and it occurs more slowly which offers an advantage for the desirable formation and retention of aromas.
No technologically important variations in the usual oenological parameters were observed in freshly bottled wines by saturating the musts with CO2 and decreasing SO2 doses (Table 1).
Table 1: Basic oenological parameters of bottled Airén and Chardonnay wines
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In terms of colour, it should be noted that all wines of both varieties had similar values of luminosity and that the saturation of musts with CO2 produced wines with more green tones and the decrease in doses of SO2 with more yellow notes (Figure 1).
In relation to volatile composition, the saturation of musts with CO2 and the reduction of SO2 doses produced wines with higher concentrations of compounds responsible for fruity and floral notes (Figure 2 I). At the sensory level, the results of volatile analysis were corroborated and both trained tasters and consumers positively valued the wines (Figure 2 II).
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Figure 1: Color of Airén must and wines at different steps: Before racking, after racking, end alcoholic fermentation, bottled wines.
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Figure 2: Amount of OAV of the different families of aroma and sensory analysis of Airén and Chardonnay wines.
Microbiological stability and colour were monitored for 12 months (Table 2), a normal marketing period for young wines, with the following conclusions obtained: Signs of malolactic fermentation were observed in wines without SO2 (C). However, wines with low doses of SO2 (B) remained perfectly stable.
Table 2: Microbiological and colour stability of Airén and Chardonnay wines 12 months after bottling
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With regard to colour after 12 months the wines of both varieties evolve in a favorable way, a slightly more intense color, but no notes of oxidation are seen. Effective control of acetic acid bacteria over time has been proven as the volatile acidity of these wines is similar to that of control wines and does not increase the year of bottling.
Conclusions
The results presented in this study provide useful information for the wine sector, as CO2 saturation of grape must during the prefermentative phase could be an alternative additive for reducing doses of SO2 in white wines, providing stable wines over time with unique aromatic profiles.
References
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Izquierdo-Cañas, P.M., GarcÃa-Romero, E., Huertas-Nebreda, B., & Gómez-Alonso, S. (2012). Colloidal silver complex as alternative to sulphur dioxide in winemaking. Food Control, 23, 73–81.
Ribereau-Gayon, P., Dubourdieu, D., Doneche, B., & Lonvaud, A. (2006). Handbook of enology: The microbiology of wine and vinifications, (2nd ed.), Vol 1, Wiley, Chichester.
Santos, M. C., Nunes, C., Saraiva, J.A., & Coimbra, M.A. (2012). Chemical and physical methodologies for the replacement/reduction of sulfur dioxide use during winemaking: review of their potentialities and limitations. European Food Research and Technology, 234, 1–12.