Influence of Harvest Date and Grape Variety on Sensory Attributes and Aroma Compounds in Experimental Icewines of Ukraine

Icewine is a sweet dessert wine whose sensory and chemical attributes are caused by technology peculiarities including the special climatic conditions and acceptable grape varieties. This study aimed to evaluate the sensory characteristics and aromatic compounds in experimental icewines produced from the grape varieties Rkatsiteli, Telti kuruk, Marselan, and Moldova that had been picked in the Odessa region at temperatures of at least minus 7 degrees C during the 2015 (H1) and 2016 (H2) harvests. Sensory attributes were determined by trained experts, and descriptors for icewines were chosen by consensus. A total of 33 aromatic compounds including 12 that exceeded the threshold were identified using chromatographic analysis. Rkatsiteli icewine obtained from H1 was characterized by the highest concentration of geraniol, 1-octanol, and 2-phenyl acetate, influencing the pronounced citrus and sweet fruit aromas in sensory profiles. The highest concentrations of ethyl hexanoate and ethyl octanoate associated with aromas of dried fruits were detected in Moldova and Marselan icewines made from H2. No 1-hexanol and benzyl alcohol were found in Rkatsiteli and Telti kuruk icewines. Only Moldova and Marselan icewines had gamma-nonalactone and benzaldehyde, respectively. Sensory parameters and the quantity of aromatic compounds of Ukrainian experimental icewines depended on harvest date and grape varieties.