The effect of cation exchange resin treatment of grape must on the chemical and sensory characteristics of base wines for sparkling wine

Ion exchange resins are polymers with high physical and chemical stability, which, upon activation, acquire positive charge (H+) ions which interchange with existing cations during musts or wines treatment. The chemical composition of the grape must, and wines are highly affected by said modifications. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the cationic resin treatments on the physicochemical and organoleptic characteristics of base white wines for sparkling wine production. Thus for, Chardonnay must was exposed to a cation exchange resin specific for oenological usage, and fermented to obtain wines. Resulting wines included an untreated control sample with pH 3.15 and treated samples with pH 3.08, 3.02 and 2.97. Physicochemical and volatile compounds analyses as well as quantitative sensory evaluations were conducted. The results showed that, on the scenarios tested, treatments with cationic resins before fermentation resulted in wine with higher oxidative stability, with significative variation on the concentration of several volatile compounds that influenced organoleptic perceptions.