A highly volatile, pleasant-smelling ester (also known as ethyl acetate or acetic ester), which is found in most fruits and berries as well as in almost all alcoholic beverages. The ester is formed during fermentation by the reaction of acetic acid with ethanol and is the most common type of ester found in wine. However, acetic acid ethyl ester can also be formed biochemically directly in the grapes without the diversions via acetic acid and ethanol, in particular by wild yeasts. In young wine, acetic acid ethyl ester in combination with other chemical compounds determines the flavour. In small quantities, this contributes positively to the fruity character of the wine, while excessive quantities cause the wine defects mousiness and euhuton. Another acetic acid compound is acetic acid isoamyl ester. See also under flavourings.
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Markus J. Eser
Weinakademiker und Herausgeber „Der Weinkalender“