Ten years of improving wine quality
FOSS announces ten years of routine quality control of wine with FOSS dedicated analytical solutions.
The revolutionary concept of rapid routine quality testing was introduced in the form of the WineScan™ analyser which was first used onsite at a winery in 1999. Using an infrared analysis technology called Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), the WineScan gives multiple measurements of grape must, must under fermentation and wine in around 30 seconds. The timely availability of information supports decisions such as when to pick grapes, how to control fermentation or when to bottle.
Providing an alternative to more time consuming traditional chemical analysis, the routine quality testing concept took the wine industry by storm and the WineScan has effectively become a standard for routine testing, now used by the vast majority of larger wineries and wine laboratories in all major wine producing regions of the world. In 2007, Eric Wilkes, Group Chemist at Foster’s Wine Estates Australia described the importance of constant testing. “Imagine having to downgrade a tank of wine from $7.00 a litre to $2.00 a litre and that’s what happens sometimes without constant monitoring,” he said.
The WineScan is aimed at large wineries and laboratories requiring a high throughput of tests. In 2008, FOSS introduced the small and easy-to-use OenoFoss™ solution, extending the benefits of routine analysis to mid-size and smaller wineries.
From quantity to quality
Over the last ten years, the ability to produce wine to specification has become increasingly important.
FOSS wine segment marketing manager, Christian Harpsøe said: “Consistent quality wine is essential for producers to stay competitive in an increasingly fierce global marketplace. The industry is adjusting quickly to this reality and as a consequence, the amount of testing is increasing rapidly at all stages of the winemaking.”
FOSS wine analysis highlights
- 1999: First WineScan solution installed at a winery introducing the multiple parameter analysis concept to the wine industry based on Fourier Transform Infrared – a technology that is ideal for analysis of liquid samples and of which FOSS has extensive experience from providing routine analysis solutions to the dairy industry.
- 2002: Solution for state-of-the-art Sulphur Dioxide analysis introduced - FiaStar™
- 2005: New WineScan series with improved applications
- 2008: FOSS extends the concept of rapid analysis control to small and mid size wineries with the OenoFoss – a simple-to-use analyser providing analysis of seven key parameters.
- 2008: OenoFoss wins prestigious Danish design prize and commendation at ViniTech Bordeaux.
More time for winemaking and reduced laboratory costs
Users of FOSS solutions report improved time and freedom to get on with winemaking especially at busy peak periods. In addition, laboratory costs associated with traditional analysis have been significantly reduced through the availability of unlimited testing without the use of chemicals.
Susan van der Pol, assistant winemaker at Torrent Bay Vintners in New Zealand said: “With traditional analysis the bare minimum gets done because of the time pressure, but with the FOSS, because it analyses so many parameters at once, it frees whoever is in the laboratory to get back out into the winery and take action on the results.”
Saving a vintage
The ready availability of reliable analysis information can provide a rapid return on investment as Camel Valley wines from England found when tackling problems with acidity imbalance in grape juice after a particularly difficult growing season.
“The new instrument meant that we could make the right decision,” said award winning winemaker Sam Lindo. “If we hadn’t had the OenoFoss there was no way we could have done it.” With the wine retailing at around 20.00 pounds a bottle, the value of the new technology was obvious. “The fact that it helped us to make the correct decision for just one wine means that it has paid for itself,” said Sam.
More information
FOSS has created a new website to help winemakers calculate the value of ownership and find the right solution for their needs, click here.
More background on wine analysis including case stories and papers on the use of FOSS wine solutions can be found here
Contacts:
Senior Business Manager, Peter Skade: psk@foss.dk
Wine Market Manager, Christian Harpsoe: ch@foss.dk
International Press Contact, Richard Mills: rim@foss.dk
Published:
2009-04-28 | 
