Struck match aroma - the chemistry and the winery experience

Struck flint/struck match/gun smoke/mineral aroma is considered desirable in some styles of Chardonnay wines, with this character sometimes evident in Burgundian Chablis and cooler climate barrel-fermented Australian Chardonnay. Phenylmethanethiol (benzyl mercaptan) is a potent sulfur-containing volatile aroma compound and is thought to be responsible for struck flint character in wine. But where does this aroma compound come from and is it the only aroma compound involved? Do consumers like it? Until recently, few studies targeting this character have been conducted. In this webinar we will discuss sensory and consumer studies, and the effects of some winemaking parameters on this character.