Technical Yearbook 2023

and a constant scowl on his face, let me introduce you to three of them: Tanin Galalcool ® , Tanin VR Supra ® and Tanin VR Color ® . This trio of oenological tannins will bounce laccase from your juice faster than you can say, “Is this laccase character bothering you?”. During white and rosé vinification where noble rot is evident, Tanin Galalcool ® (a very pure gallic tannin extract) binds rapidly to laccase, thereby effectively reducing its activity. Gallic tannins have a natural affinity for unstable proteins and oxidative enzymes such as laccase and tyrosinase, to name but a few of this group of tannins’ oenological benefits. You should add this tough guy as soon as possible after crushing and SO 2 addition. For red vinification where Botrytis is evident, the winning tag team consisting of Tanin VR Supra ® and Tanin VR Color ® will seriously bust some laccase skulls together. Tanin VR Supra ® should be added as soon as possible before breaking skins. Tanin VR Color ® should be added at one-third of AF. But first, a quick recap is in order. Oenological tannins should make you, the winemaker, sit upright for the following reasons: • The sacrificial effect. • The antioxidant effect. • The co-pigmentation effect in the presence of colour components. • The stabilisation effect in the presence of acetaldehyde.

Using both Tanin VR Supra ® (ellagic and proanthocyanidic tannin preparation) and Tanin VR Color ® (catechin tannins preparation) will enforce the listed effects as both tannins contribute to them in varying degrees. The sacrificial effect of particularly Tanin VR Supra ® , as well as the antioxidant effect of both tannins, speak to not only the reduction in the activity of proteins, including laccase, but also one of its substrates (that’s oxygen if you didn’t keep up). Well, that was quite a mouthful, but then again, these tannins also do a lot in juice and wine. In summary Don’t use bentonite to remove laccase, it won’t work. Rather use selected oenological tannins that show strong binding affinity to laccase, such as Tanin Galalcool ® , or a combination of Tanin VR Supra ® and Tanin VR Color ® , which offers more than just the reduction of laccase activity. To manage rot-infected grapes, visit https://laffort.com for a fermentation protocol, or contact your area’s sales representative. Hopefully, I have now convinced all of you that removing laccase with bentonite is about as likely as your Fortuner driving itself to Struisbaai over the coming Easter holidays. Cheers!  Reference https://www.wineland.co.za/bentonite-and-laccase/

For more information, contact Bernard Mocke at bernard.mocke@laffort.com.

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TECHNICAL YEARBOOK 2023