Sensory Analysis of Aroma Attributes of Young AIrén White Wines During Storage in the Bottle

Airén white wines stored in the bottle under usual commercial conditions for 6, 18, 30, and 42 months were studied to determine the effect of in‐bottle storage time on the organoleptic characteristics of the wine and to evaluate shelf‐ life in the absence of careful storage conditions. Sensory descriptive analysis was applied by a panel of 12 trained assessors, and multivariate analysis was applied to follow the changes taking place in the different attributes and determine shelf‐ life in the bottle. Stored in the bottle, young Airén white wines were judged to have a moderately strong fresh‐citric, floral, and apple aroma for up to 18 months, while wines stored longer in the bottle had a sweet‐raisin and a spicy‐green pepper aroma. Significant differences existed between wines stored in the bottle 18, 30 and 42 months based on disappearance of the fresh‐citric aroma and the gradual appearance of a spicy‐green pepper flavor. Commercial storage conditions should be revised for young Airén white wines to retain their favorable sensory characteristics for longer periods.