Wood-Based Aromatic Extract Powder for Residue-Free Wine Aging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wine aging methods using wooden barrels and wood chips are costly and can introduce residues, while alternative methods lack quality and efficiency, particularly in releasing aromatic compounds and polyphenols.

Innovation Solution

A method for producing a wood-based aromatic extract powder through heating, aqueous extraction, and atomization to achieve a high vanillin concentration, which is then added to wine to enhance flavor without residues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If wooden barrels are used for wine aging, then aromatic compounds and polyphenols are released into the wine, but the cost increases and the barrels must be renewed regularly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearomatic compoundsVSAvoidcost
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts aromatic compounds, polyphenols, and tannins from wood through controlled heating and aqueous extraction, then concentrates them into a powder form. This separation of the useful components from the solid wood matrix allows the wine to receive the desired chemical compounds without the cost and complexity of using actual wooden barrels that require renewal every 2-3 years.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs controlled heating at specific temperatures (150-280°C) followed by aqueous extraction at controlled temperatures (80-100°C) to optimize the release of vanillin and other aromatic compounds. These parameter changes allow precise control over the extraction efficiency and composition of the final powder product, providing a cost-effective alternative to barrel aging.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If wood chips are introduced into the vat for maceration, then aromatic compounds are released into the wine, but wood chip residues may remain in the wine requiring filtration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearomatic compoundsVSAvoidwood chip residue
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts aromatic compounds from wood through heating and aqueous extraction, then removes the solid wood material completely from the liquid phase. The extracted compounds are concentrated into a fine powder that can be dissolved in wine without leaving solid residues, eliminating the need for filtration while maintaining aromatic compound release.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a powdered form of the extracted aromatic compounds that replicates the functional effects of wood chip maceration without the physical presence of wood chips in the wine. The powder serves as a soluble copy of the wood's aromatic properties, eliminating residue issues while maintaining the desired flavor enhancement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Quantity of substance

If heating is applied to wood staves to develop aromas, then aromatic compounds are released, but the process complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearomatic compoundsVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the complex barrel aging process into separate, controllable stages: heating the wood to a specific temperature range (150-280°C), followed by aqueous extraction at controlled temperatures (80-100°C), and then concentration to form powder. This segmentation allows each step to be optimized independently, reducing overall process complexity while maintaining aromatic compound release.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical complexity of heating and shaping actual wooden barrels with a more straightforward process of heating wood pieces, extracting compounds in water, and concentrating them into powder. This substitution eliminates the need for complex barrel construction, shaping, and renewal processes while achieving the same aromatic effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The method provides a cost-effective way to enhance wine flavor with aromatic compounds and polyphenols, ensuring residue-free aging and improved organoleptic qualities.

Implementation Method 1

a step of heating at least one piece of dried raw wood, the heating step being configured to optimize a subsequent extraction of vanillin

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

an aqueous extraction step in order to obtain a solution containing components extracted from the wood

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectExtraction: Liquid-Liquid Extraction

Implementation Method 3

a step of atomizing said solution in order to obtain the wood-based aromatic extract powder

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAtomization: Aerosol

Data Source

PatentEP3609992B1Method for obtaining a powder of wood-based aromatic extract, powder of wood-based aromatic extract thus obtained and method for ageing wine using said powder
Publication Date: 2025.07.02 ALTER EGO

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for obtaining a powder of wood-based aromatic extract comprising a step of heating at least one piece of dried untreated wood, an aqueous extraction step and an atomisation step, the parameters of the steps of heating, extraction and/or atomisation being adjusted to obtain a powder of aromatic extract comprising a vanillin concentration of 1800 to 3800 mg/kg. The invention also proposes a composition to be dissolved in wine during the ageing phase, which comprises said powder of aromatic extract and at least one yeast mannoprotein.