Sensory Panel Training and Screening for Descriptive Analysis of the Aroma of Pinot Noir Wine Fermented by Several Strains of Malolactic Bacteria

A sensory panel was selected and trained to describe the aroma of Pinot noir wines whose only difference was that they were fermented by different strains of malolactic bacteria. The panel developed a ballot consisting of 33 aroma descriptors and rated the wines using a balanced incomplete block statistical design. A final screening of the individual panelist's data was accomplished by use of correlation analysis. Significant differences were found in twenty of the aroma descriptors, showing that the strain of malolactic bacteria selected for use can effect aroma perception.