Grape juice concentrate all year round

A high colour intensity in red grape juice concentrate is associated with its quality. However, during storage this typical red colour can change, which means not only a decrease in pigmentation but also the loss of important properties or characteristics of the grape juice. But is it possible to maintain the colour of the red grape juice? Yes, it is possible. At Julián Soler we can supply you with red grape juice concentrate all year round, thanks to our refrigeration and/or freezing processes that minimise the decrease in colour. In this post we show you the importance of colour intensity in red grape juice concentrate and describe our unique process that guarantees the quality of our grape juice.

• The importance of colour in red grape juice concentrate
• The high colour intensity of red grape juice concentrate: how is it preserved?
• At JULIÁN SOLER we maintain the high intensity of the red grape juice concentrate and all its properties.

The importance of colour in red grape juice concentrate

Colour is an important quality indicator in grape juice concentrate. It is one of the most highly valued parameters in red grape juice concentrate, which is valued in proportion to its colour. This colour intensity is a characteristic that depends on the phenolic composition of the grape juice, especially the anthocyanins (pigmenting particles) contained in the grape skins.

Anthocyanins and other phenolic compounds (responsible for the flavour, acidity or astringency of the fruit) may differ according to grape variety or maturity, climate, region or viticultural practice. They are also directly affected by the treatments or methods used during the production of grape juice concentrate. For example:

• Enzymatic or thermal treatments, as well as high temperatures during storage of the grape juice can decrease the phenol content and degrade the anthocyanins.
• Depending on the grape variety and the winemaking process, rosé grape juice concentrate of low colour intensity, grape juice concentrate of medium colour intensity or grape juice concentrate of high colour intensity can be obtained.
• Changes in pH generate variations in anthocyanin pigments. Grape juice concentrates with higher acidity levels maintain higher colour intensities over time compared to less acidic grape juice concentrates.
• Over time, anthocyanins change their hue (due to air) to colourless or yellow forms, with the “yellow” forms becoming predominant over the red ones (“browning”). As a result, the colour intensity of the grape juice “falls”.

At Julián Soler we grow red grape varieties in Castilla-La Mancha, varieties with a balanced acid and anthocyanin content. Properties that make them ideal for the production of red grape juice concentrates with high colour. Such as Garnacha Tintorera, a variety with high colour intensity.

The high colour intensity of red grape juice concentrate: how is it preserved?

The red colour of the red grape juice changes as the season progresses. Especially in the second half (between March and August), during the months of storage, there is a decrease in the colour of the red grape juice. This browning is a naturally occurring process, but is accentuated by certain factors, factors that must be corrected or optimised if the colour intensity of the grape juice concentrate is to be preserved. One of the main factors to be taken into account is the temperature during the storage of the product.

The best methods to minimise colour decay in the grape juice concentrate:

Grape juice concentrate should be stored at low temperatures, the optimum medium:

• Refrigeration and freezing. Storing grape juice concentrate at low temperatures keeps all its physico-chemical and organoleptic properties intact. It is a very important method for preventing oxidation and slowing down the change in colour of the anthocyanins (colouring particles).

At JULIÁN SOLER we maintain the high intensity of the red grape juice concentrate and all its properties.

At JULIÁN SOLER we carry out a unique production process, where we use refrigeration and/or freezing methods during storage, which allows us to have red grape juice concentrates with high colour intensity in the final months of the campaign, in the summer period and all year round.

How do we make Julian Soler red grape juice concentrate?

Always based on our motto “Nothing But Grapes”, we have designed a unique grape juice production process to offer our customers the highest quality and a high level of food safety. This process is a key factor in preserving the colour intensity of the red grape juice concentrate.

• Our winemaking process begins with the reception of the fresh grapes at our facilities, a first-class raw material that has been harvested at the optimum point of ripeness.
• The grapes are first processed by physical means, obtaining the grape juice and storing it in AISI 316 stainless steel tanks.
• A filtration and evaporation process is carried out to obtain a grape juice concentrate of 65° to 68° Brix.
• The product is filtered through polypropylene membranes. It is then stored in refrigerated chambers to keep it in optimum conditions throughout the year.
• Finally, for shipping, we can pack our grape juice concentrate in standard drums, sceptic drums or ship in bulk. We also offer frozen storage of grape juice in drums.

Our unique process is characterised by the technical expertise and cutting-edge technology applied during the various stages of the grape juice production and analysis process (filtration, concentration, storage, etc.).

Cooling and freezing: key processes in the colour intensity and quality of our grape juice

During the storage phase, at JULIÁN SOLER we have refrigeration chambers with the capacity to maintain the grape juice concentrate at a temperature of +4º C until it is packaged. We have a large refrigerated storage capacity that allows us to conserve up to 60,000 tonnes of grape juice concentrate. We also have a freezing chamber for drums to keep the grape juice at a temperature of -18º C, with a capacity of 12,000 drums.

This refrigeration and freezing capacity in our storage systems allows us to supply grape juice with high colour intensity all year round. Because the quality of our grape juice concentrate is more than an objective, it is a commitment of the JULIAN SOLER family with all its customers and collaborators to offer the end customer the best products.

Contact us, we are your supplier of 100% authentic grape juice concentrate. You can ask us for a no obligation quote.