Influence of yeast and nutrients on the quality of apricot brandy

Abstract

Five yeast strains Saccharomyces cerevisiae and S. bayanus (SB, Top Floral, Top 15, Aroma White and Red Fruit) and two nutrients, diammonium phosphate and Nutriferm Arom, were examined for their influence on young apricot brandies, with a special emphasis on the chemical, volatile and sensory characteristics. Analyses of the major and minor volatiles and sensory analysis of the apricot brandies showed important differences between the samples. The total sensory scores of the apricot brandies ranged between 16.88 for the control sample to 18.35 for the sample produced with the SB yeast strain and diammonium phosphate as nutrient. All the samples of apricot brandies fulfilled EU requirements as regards their content of methanol and other components, such as acetaldehyde, ethyl acetate, and higher alcohols.