A range of structurally defined apple and grape proanthocyanidins was isolated in sufficient amount to carry out a formal sensory descriptive analysis study. Purified proanthocyanidin fractions differed in chain length, degree of galloylation and epigallocatechin content. Astringency attributes of the preparations in a model wine medium were rated while the fractions were held in the mouth and after expectoration. The degree of polymerization appeared to be the variable that discriminated among the fractions to the greatest extent. It affected both the overall astringency and the different individual astringency attributes, with increased 'drying', 'chalky', 'adhesive' and 'pucker' characters correlating with increasing chain length. A rougher sensation with increased 'coarseness', 'drying' and 'chalkiness' correlated with an increased degree of galloylation of the fractions. The presence of epigallocatechin units in the proanthocyanidin tended to lower the 'coarse' perception.

The chemical and physical basis for red wine astringency is reviewed. Models describing the physiological foundation of astringency are presented and compared. The phenolic and other red wine components that evoke astringency are described, together with their sensory properties and the factors that affect their perception. The paper also presents a detailed account of the chemical properties of saliva and the possible modes of interaction between these and red wine phenolics that lead to the necessary physical changes in saliva required to elicit astringency. Reasons for differences in astringency perception across oral sites and amongst individual tasters are also discussed. It is concluded that whilst great advances have been made in the field of red wine phenolic chemistry in recent years, a better understanding of the effect of wine polyphenol-salivary protein interaction on the rheological properties of saliva is required in order to gain a comprehensive understanding of red wine astringency.Abbreviations BSA bovine serum albumin; Gly glycine; GPRP glycosylated proline-rich protein; Mr molecular weight; MG1 high-Mr mucin; MG2 low-Mr mucin; NMR nuclear magnetic resonance; pI isoelectric point; Pro proline; PRP proline-rich protein. GawelRed wine astringency 75Red wine astringency

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A hierarchically structured vocabulary of mouth-feel sensations elicited by red wines has been produced. Represented as a wheel, this structured vocabulary should assist tasters in their interpretation and use of terminology relating to 'in mouth' sensations produced by red wines. These terms and their definitions were generated by consulting the opinions of experienced wine tasters following exposure to an extensive range of commercial red wines. Logical relationships among the derived terms were formulated by analysis of 'sorting data' provided by a combined group of experienced winemakers and wine-tasters. Red wine mouth-feel terminology

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