Enhancing variety aromatic characteristics of Muscat wine through cold maceration with indigenous cryotolerant Metschnikowia pulcherrima Mp0520

Cold maceration (CM) is widely applied in winemaking to improve wine aroma and overall quality. However, more efficient CM techniques for industrial-scale winemaking are still needed. This study examined the impact of CM with indigenous cryotolerant Metschnikowia pulcherrima Mp0520 (Mp-CM) on the Muscat wine aromatic characteristics. The results demonstrated a significant divergence in the types and concentrations of aroma compounds between Mp-CM wine and the control. The Mp-CM wine exhibited a significantly higher terpenes content, resulting in a Muscat wine characterized by terpenes, compared to the control predominated by esters. Additionally, the Mp-CM wine demonstrated elevated levels of α-terpineol and terpinolene, potentially enhancing the varietal aroma stability of Muscat wine. Furthermore, Mp-CM gave Muscat wine a heightened fruity aroma and a more complex aroma. These findings suggested that the Mp-CM utilized in this study offered promising avenues for enhancing the variety aroma characteristics of Muscat wine on large scale winemaking.