WSC409 Wine Microbiology (8)

This is a specialised subject, covering the physiology and biochemistry of yeast and bacterial growth during wine fermentation and conservation. Students will gain knowledge to identify the different microorganisms involved in wine production and the impacts they have on wine quality. Students will gain the skills required to handle, culture and enumerate the microorganisms involved in the production of wine.

Availability

* Offering has a residential school. Please view following information for further details.

Year-long Period 1 (31)
Online *
Wagga Wagga Campus

Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: WSC409. Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject Information

Grading System

HD/FL

Duration

One session

School

School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences

Enrolment Restrictions

Not available to students who have successfully completed WSC406.

Assumed Knowledge

(BIO118 or MCR101) and (BCM210 or PSC208 or AGS203) and (WSC101 or WSC114 or WSC115)

Subject Relationships

WSC406 replaced by WSC409

Incompatible Subjects

WSC307, WSC406

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • be able to critically evaluate the impact of altered wine chemical composition and storage conditions on the ecology and physiology of microorganisms;
  • be able to critcally reflect and adjust grape chemical compositional measures to impact microbial growth during alcoholic and malolactic fermentation;
  • be able to critically evaluate wine storage options for control of spoilage microorganisms during winemaking and wine conservation;
  • be able to conduct, and explain the rationale behind, procedures for the study and use of wine microorganisms in wine production;
  • be able to critically evaluate the impact of specific wine production techniques on the physiology and biochemistry of the alcoholic fermentation by wine yeasts; and
  • be able to apply specific wine production techniques that impact microbial physiology and biochemistry that produce or retain positive wine sensory and chemical composition.

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:
  • Ecological aspects of the alcoholic fermentation: species of yeasts active during wine fermentations; factors affecting their growth and metabolism;
  • Biochemistry of flavour and aroma production by yeasts during the alcoholic fermentation;
  • Bacterial ecology of the malolactic fermentation: interplay of bacterial species during the malolactic fermentation; impact of wine environment on bacteria during this process; modifications to wine flavour and aroma resulting from the malolactic fermentation;
  • Role of yeasts and bacteria in spoilage reactions: ecology of spoilage activity; flavour and aroma modifications during spoilage by various microorganisms; control of spoilage microorganisms;
  • Control of microorganisms during winemaking: chemical additions to wines; impact of variations in processing technique.

Residential School

This subject contains a 3 day Compulsory Residential School.

The purpose of the compulsory residential school is to develop skills in practical microbiology of relevance to wine production that support the theoretical aspects of the subject. The three day residential school is comprised of problem based tutorials, mid-year test and laboratory exercises. The problem based tutorials make use of real examples of wine production and winery management issues in which principles of microbiology must be considered along with the underlying chemistry, personnel and winery management approaches for rectifying and prevention of wine spoilage. Laboratory exercises reinforce the biochemical impact of yeast and bacterial metabolism for wine flavour and production, including nutritional requirements, rehydration procedures, biomass quantification and identification of spoilage organisms, their impact and management.

Special Resources

Students attending compulsory residential schools on Charles Sturt campuses will incur costs associated with travel, accommodation and required resources (minimum: lab coat, safety glasses and covered footwear for lab-based practicals).

The information contained in the CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: June 2022. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.

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