Effect of Fermentation Strategy on the Quality and Aroma Characteristics of Yellow Peach Wines

Abstract

To obtain high-quality yellow peach wines of varying characteristics, different fermentation strategies, including various pre-fermentative treatments, were applied. This study aimed to determine the effect of different fermentation strategies on the physicochemical properties, monomer phenol content, in vitro antioxidant activity, and volatile compounds of yellow peach wine. The results showed that peach wine P12, fermented with pulp, had higher total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), monomer phenol and volatile compound content, and antioxidant activity. Ten monomeric phenols were detected in peach wines, and the content of catechin was the highest. Juice fermentation wine, J12, had a strong floral aroma, and some volatile compounds were released during fermentation when water was added to the pulp, and low alcohol content did not reduce the variety of volatile compounds. The main aroma and common characteristics of the fermented yellow peach wine were dominated by esters, with a relative odor activity value (ROAV) ≥ 1, namely, isoamyl acetate, ethyl hexanoate, and ethyl octanoate. Our results demonstrated that the application of the described fermentation strategies significantly affected the quality and volatile compound content of yellow peach wines. This might assist in the development of a highly diverse yellow peach wine flavor.