The evaluation of remedial treatments for wine affected by Harmonia axyridis

Summary This study evaluated the efficacy of a range of commercially available fining agents and other interventions on reducing 2-isopropyl-3-methoxypyrazine (IPMP) concentration and taint characteristics of white and red wine affected by Harmonia axyridis (HA). Wines fermented in the presence of HA beetles were treated with bentonite, activated charcoal, oak chips, deodorized oak chips and either ultraviolet (red wine) or visible (white wine) light. IPMP concentrations were lowered by activated charcoal in white wine and deodorized oak in red wine. Treatment with oak chips reduced the intensity of HA-associated sensory attributes (‘ladybug taint’) in both white and red wines, while other applications generally had no effect on white wine and limited effect on red wines.