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	Technical Bulletin - Scorpions Volatile Acidity Juice Panel
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The ETS Scorpions™ Volatile Acidity Juice Panel
ETS Laboratories offers a new Scorpions™ Panel designed to provide early detection of the microorganisms that can produce elevated volatile acidity levels prior to and in the early stages of fermentation. High levels of volatile acidity can impact fermentation performance and wine sensory attributes. 

What is Volatile Acidity?
Volatile acidity, measured as acetic acid, can be formed throughout the winemaking process. It can be formed via oxidation of ethanol, as well as by more complex metabolic processes. The spoilage microorganisms most often associated with volatile acidity production prior to, or early in, fermentation are the acetic acid bacteria and certain wild strains of yeast, in particular Hanseniaspora/Kloeckera species. In addition to acetic acid production, these wild yeast can also produce elevated levels of ethyl acetate.

Volatile Acidity Production in Juice
Elevated volatile acidity levels often occur during the cold soak process, or between cold soak and fermentation during red wine production. Volatile acidity spoilage microorganism grow quickly during this time, producing increasing levels of acetic acid until fermentation conditions inhibit their growth. Production of high levels of volatile acidity prior to fermentation can cause problems later in the production process.

Scorpions™ Analysis Applications
The Scorpions™ Volatile Acidity Juice Panel provides early detection of these microbes before they produce high levels of volatile acidity. Early detection of the presence of large populations of these microorganisms enables the winemaker to adjust the winemaking process to minimize volatile acidity production. 

HARVEST TOOLS: The ETS Enhanced Juice Panel
The Scorpions™ Volatile Acidity Juice Panel will be bundled with the traditional “ETS Juice Panel” for the 2009 Harvest, and will also be offered as a stand alone analysis. The new Enhanced Juice Panel will provide winemakers with an unprecedented array of tools to ensure a successful harvest.

For questions about any of the ETS Scorpions™ analyses, contact Dr. Richard DeScenzo at (707) 302-1228 or Microbiology@etslabs.com.