Red Wine Spoilage in Barrels is a Growing Problem

Winemakers in California and around the world have long struggled with the problem of wine spoilage by a yeast species called Brettanomyces, or “Brett” as it is known in the industry.

THE PROBLEM:  Up to half the barrels used for red wine could be contaminated with Brett, according to one wine industry expert. 

• Brett produces volatile phenols, which impart a distinct odor that winemakers describe as horsy, sweaty and like a wet-dog-in-a-phone-booth

• Brett decreases fruity flavors and varietal character of wine

• Brett penetrates the surface of oak barrels and remain there ready to infect the next batch of red wine

Brett also produces biogenic amines which can cause headaches, according to Dr Susan Rodriguez of the Department of Viticulture & Enology at California State University, Fresno. And the most common treatment for Brett in the wine is Sulfite which triggers an allergy-like response in some.

Brettanomyces is a significant problem for barrel fermentation and red wine maintenance; major wineries currently expend considerable effort managing Brett, according to Dr. Shrikhande, Vice President, Research & Development, Constellation Wines US - the largest wine company in the world. 

FINANCIAL IMPACT:  By the time winemakers smell or taste Brett, its usually too late to save the wine. Wine often drops to half its value, expensive oak barrels are ruined.

A couple of years ago, Snowden Vineyards in Napa Valley declassified over 90% of its 2003 and all of its 2004 vintages of Cabernet Sauvignon after discovering Brett in the wine. The financial impact was enormous, requiring the winery’s owner to postpone replanting its vineyard and building a new winemaking facility, reported Wine Spectator magazine. 

RAPID, INEXPENSIVE SOLUTION:   Unitech Scientific has partnered with Z-Enology to provide a new winery test kit, Z-Brett, to detect Brett at 1% of levels that cause wine defects – long before Brett ruins the wine.

The Z-Brett Assay is the worlds first immunoassay-based biochip for the early detection of Brett in wine.  Dr. Shrikhande of Constellation Wines stated that the Z-Brett Assay is truly a revolutionary product for rapid detection of Brett in the wine industry.

Of the Brett detection products available today, Z-Brett-24 is the:

•   Fastest

•   Easiest-to-use

•   Least expensive                                 

Get Brett Detection details

YOUR DISCOUNT COUPON:  Please accept our 'Ides of March’ $25-off discount on any microbiology or EIA rapid detection product, valid through March 31st.  (March 15th, the Ides of March, was a festive day in Roman times, dedicated to the god Mars.) 

Z-Brett 24 is priced at $360/48-tests.  Remind us about your $25 discount when placing your order! 

Z-Brett Assay is exclusively distributed in the USA by Unitech Scientific, LLC, 12026 Centralia Road, Hawaiian Gardens, CA 90716. Tel: (562) 924-5150   info@unitechscientific.com