6533b839fe1ef96bd12a6dc8

RESEARCH PRODUCT

AMBIENT LIGHTING MODIFIES THE FLAVOR OF WINE

Heiko HechtDaniel OberfeldFlorian WickelmaierUlrich Allendorf

subject

WineOdorChemistryWhite WineAroma of wineFlavourWine tastingFood scienceSensory SystemsWineryFlavorFood Science

description

It is well known that the color of a beverage can influence its flavor. We conducted three experiments to investigate the effect of the ambient room color on flavor, while leaving the color of the beverage unaltered. We chose white wine as the beverage and used several methods to fully explore the potential role of ambient light. First, a group of wine buyers made judgments on flavor and global liking while tasting a Riesling on site at a local winery. Ambient color influenced the subjective value of the wine. Wine tasted better in blue or red environments as compared with green and white. A second group was tested in the laboratory. Ambient color modified the taste, but not the odor of the wine. The influence of ambient color on flavor was confirmed in a third experiment using the method of paired comparisons.

yearjournalcountryeditionlanguage
2009-12-01Journal of Sensory Studies
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-459x.2009.00239.x