Racking are key stages for the microbial stabilization of wines

Abstract

This study aims to understand the effect on micro-organism of racking when the wine is aged in barrels. According to the kind of micro-organism, the effects are different. Bacteria are stimulated by oxygen and their population increases. Yeasts are concentrated to the bottom of the barrel. Between two successive racking a yeast population gradient was established. Yeast cells which are larger and heavier than bacteria cells and they are deposited on the barrel bottom with other wine micro-particles. In some cases, the yeast population at the bottom was more than thousand times than at the wine surface. Moreover, the species identified at different heights in the barrel were different. Saccharomyces cerevisiae was the main yeast detected at the surface, whereas Brettanomyces bruxellensis was the main yeast lees. After racking yeast population decreases because they are eliminated with the lees during the operation. Among them, Brettanomyces bruxellensis was the majority. Since they are able to produce volatile phenols, their preservation in the barrel can lead to the alteration of the wine. Indeed, the ability of the lees to produce volatile phenols was clearly established. The importance of regular racking for microbial wine stabilization is evident. The risks of «sur lies» wine aging and sticking’s operations are underlined.