Instant Perspective with Infrared Technology

Innovation has come through the use of infrared light to look deep into the composition of a liquid sample, all the way down to molecular activity, as this is where a treasure trove of knowledge awaits discovery. All organic molecules vibrate, and this vibration can be observed by passing infrared light through a sample and detecting what comes out on the other side. This creates a signal in the form of an infrared spectrum that reveals all sorts of interesting things about the sample. The analysis relies on the transmission of infrared light. It is sent through and then the light on the other side is collected to obtain the spectrum. The spectrum can then be converted into usable data.

Collaboration from Concept to Practical Solution

After the concept was established, work began on creating an analyzer that would be easy and practical to use in wine laboratories and by wine producers in their daily activities. This led to the launch of the first FOSS WineScan™ analyzer in 1999 and a series of subsequent evolutionary steps to this day, each offering gradual improvements in terms of capabilities, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness.

While the development of the tool progressed quite rapidly, the most significant step was to create mathematical models that could convert infrared signals into meaningful data.

More Perspective, Less Work, and More Time for Wine Production – Three Reasons Why the Latest Launch, WineScan™ 3, is Timely.

Recent seasons have brought unprecedented challenges to the global wine production. Despite the skill and experience of professionals in the viticulture industry, they now need more support than ever to determine the optimal harvest time, manage less-than-perfect grapes, to follow the fermentation, and perfect blends and bottling.

In the late ’90s, researchers at FOSS advanced liquid analysis with a technology called Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Providing a range of key quality parameters in just a few seconds, it proved to be a game-changer for controlling the entire wine production process, from vine to bottle. Now, the innovation story continues with WineScan™ 3. A comprehensive range of tests is available, including unique testing options such as wine tannins, yeast assimilable nitrogen during fermentation, and a faster option for both free and total SO₂ functionality compared to previous instrument generations (now two minutes instead of two and a half).

Minimal Effort on Wine Analysis Operations

The new WineScan™ 3 version not only provides a wealth of testing data but also makes obtaining this data even easier with minimal effort on operations. This is a timely development in a period where ensuring and retaining qualified workforce in the winery or laboratory is a challenge.

Further automation features include a high throughput flow system and autosampler supporting over 130 tests per hour, fully unattended. Meanwhile, automatic backup and reporting keeps data safe and connectivity ensures accessibility for traceability.

Supporting a creative approach to evolving consumer tastes

Winemakers today often need to push the envelope on wine style and quality in step with consumer tastes and the demands of an ever-changing climate. The time and performance gains offered by the WineScan™ 3 are highly relevant in reducing the worry about running instruments, leaving users free to spend more time on what they are best at – creating quality wine.

Every test result is based on 30 subsamples to give highly accurate and repeatable results. This avoids the need for replicate meas­urements to confirm the validity of results. Touch screen operation and a highly-intuitive software interface make it simple for anyone in the laboratory or winery to operate. Further, the smart-enabled platform pro­vides a close level of support while connectivity also allows you to build your own quality control universe with multiple instruments across sites and locations.

While no one can control the challenges the wine industry needs to work with, innovative technology can ensure that those making key decisions every day have the data they need to do their job. In this context, the all-new WineScan™ 3 and WineScan™ 3 SO₂ offer perfect timing, providing an expanding world of analytical insight as a natural part of winemaking today.