Introduction
Like most food and beverage producers, winemakers are facing changing — and often challenging — times, especially relating to climate concerns, economic pressures, and evolving consumer demands.
Winemakers’ Biggest Obstacles
All over the world, shifting weather trends and increasing natural disasters are affecting grape quality and harvest yields, making it difficult to maintain consistency in the final product. For winemakers, these changing climate patterns can alter the characteristics of the grapes, impacting sugar levels, acidity, and even mouthfeel. That’s why testing at key stages of the winemaking process, from the vineyard to the cellar, is more vital than ever.
Beyond environmental factors, winemakers also battle increased production and distribution costs, while consumers in many regions struggle with reduced purchasing power. The good news? Advanced analytical testing can help wineries optimize operations, guarantee quality, and maintain a competitive edge.
Historically, only large wineries have had the resources to incorporate testing into their operations, but recent advancements in fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, such as simplified operation and reduced cost, make this technology accessible for wineries of all sizes.
How FT-IR Spectroscopy Works
Creating a unique “fingerprint” for every sample, FT-IR spectroscopy relies on how each sample absorbs or emits infrared light. That fingerprint is then compared to a library of known components to identify and quantify the compounds in the sample.
Ideal for routine analysis throughout the winemaking process, the LQA 300 multi-parameter FT-IR wine analyzer handles all stages of testing, from harvest to vinification to ageing and bottling. What makes the LQA 300 exceptional is that it combines performance, speed, ease of use, uptime, and connectivity — all in one compact, portable instrument. Its intuitive step-by-step workflow analyzes liquid samples — including must, must under fermentation, and finished wine — and delivers results in less than 45 seconds.
Intuitive Interface and Remote Connectivity
With a large 12-inch touchscreen, the LQA 300 instrument is effortless and efficient to operate. To analyze a sample, simply place it into the instrument and press “Analyze.” The instrument does the rest, producing accurate results in seconds.
Easily connected to a local network, the system integrates with LIMS software, while NetPlus™ cloud-based tools enable convenient access to results — anywhere, any time.
Winemaking combines art and science, but it’s the science that ensures every batch meets quality and consistency standards.
Join us on a winemaking journey of data-driven results. As we continue this article series in the coming weeks, we’ll explore FT-IR analysis using the LQA 300 at key stages of the winemaking process, including grape and must, must under fermentation, and blending and bottling.