Opportunities for Enhancing Winemaking Processes by Employing High Power Ultrasonics Technology: A Review
A. S. J. Yap *
Vinsonus Pty Ltd, High Power Ultrasonics Research & Innovation Centre, 9 Harradine Street, Gawler, South Australia 5118, Australia.
G. A. Logan
Vinsonus Pty Ltd, High Power Ultrasonics Research & Innovation Centre, 9 Harradine Street, Gawler, South Australia 5118, Australia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
High power ultrasonics (HPU) technology has been used in the food industry to develop effective methods for food production, and to reduce operational costs and improve product quality with large-scale commercial applications since the 1990s. While high intensity energy produced by HPU has been successfully applied to many processes in food production, its application to winemaking is still at an experimental stage. However, as a disruptive industry changer, HPU technology offers an enormous range of possibilities to improve the wine industry’s competitive position through lower cost, higher quality, and the delivery of cleaner, fresher, and more appealing wines to the customer. It will enable wineries to create more sustainable, transformative and innovative solutions to enhance winemaking processes.
Keywords: Acoustic cavitation, barrel sanitation, Brettanomyces, high power ultrasonics, winemaking processes.