The threat of wildfires
Winemaking is an art that incorporates various natural elements, and a good climate is upon the most crucial of them all. Research shows that the US has the highest percentage of wildfire occurrences annually, especially in the month of August. With unpredictably dry conditions and the aid of an external ignition source, wildfires often catch winemakers off-guard. Wildfires are unfavorable and often unavoidable, so how can its effects be minimized?
When trying to avoid wildfires, many winemakers use a large number of resources that are unsustainable and costly, however, it has become more common to embrace wildfires in order to avoid even bigger disasters. As smoke infiltrates their grapes, many winemakers may struggle to use these affected grapes in the production of their wine. The effects of smoke taint cause unappealing flavor profile changes that become difficult to alter or remove without stripping the wine.
New solutions to the effects of smoke taint
As wildfires have become more frequent in the world of winemaking, various solutions have been created to help winemakers save their craft. Among these solutions is the superior oak finishing tannin known as Structan. Structan offers a targeted solution for winemakers by restoring the structure, flavor, and aroma to wines impacted by smoke taint.
Structan uses an unique approach
Unlike other solutions that tackle smoke taint, Structan avoids the risk of stripping wines of their desirable traits. Usually this is done when extracting the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the wine, which rarely ensures a secure outcome. Instead, Structan masks existing VOCs and enhances fruity profiles. This allows winemakers to maintain midpalate fullness by complimenting volatile removal treatments instead of actively extracting them.
As winemakers prepare for the wildfire season, employing Structan as a strategy to save smoke tainted grapes can help winemakers enhance and protect their vintages.
