Consumer Hedonic Testing and Chemical Analysis of Iowa Wines Made from Five Cold-Hardy Interspecific Grape Varieties (Vitisspp.)

Background and goals

Research into wines made from cold-hardy interspecific hybrids, which have been integral for the establishment of a grape and wine industry through the Upper Midwest, has produced few reports investigating chemical composition and consumer perception. The goals of this project were to i) survey Iowa wine industry members on varieties they thought were best suited for premium wine production and ii) measure consumer hedonic scores and chemical composition of 20 commercial Midwest wines made from five varieties, selected based on the initial survey. Cluster analysis was performed on the sensory data, and correlation of consumer segments with wine composition evaluated.

Methods and key findings

A survey of Iowa industry members identified five cold-hardy interspecific cultivars as growing best in the state: Brianna, Edelweiss, La Crescent, Marquette, and Frontenac. Chemical analyses of 20 commercial wines revealed that titratable acidity weas generally higher than Vitis vinifera wines. The highest protein concentrations were observed in La Crescent and Frontenac wines. Consumers were clustered into five groups based on liking scores and the two largest segments showed a preference for wines with higher residual sugar.

Conclusions and significance

This is the first survey of chemical composition and consumer liking for Midwestern wines produced from cold-hardy interspecific hybrids. The high protein concentrations observed in red and white wines are notable as these may affect tannin extraction and haze formation, respectively. Although average Iowa consumers prefer wines with substantial residual sugar (>20g/L), there is evidence of multiple consumer segments with different residual sugar and varietal preferences.