iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Some red wines smell distinctly of black pepper because they contain rotundone, a potent aroma compound found in peppercorns and associated especially with peppery Shiraz and Syrah. It creates a peppercorn-like smell, not pepper’s heat—and not everyone can detect it.
What makes red wine smell peppery?
Rotundone is an oxygenated sesquiterpene identified as an important aroma compound in Australian Shiraz (also called Syrah). In a 2008 study, researchers found a strong relationship between rotundone concentrations and sensory-panel ratings of black-pepper aroma in grape and wine samples. The association was stronger for Shiraz than for other varieties reported in the study. Wood et al., Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry (2008).
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Alamos Malbec, Red Wine, 750 mL Bottle | $14.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Josh Cellars, Cabernet Sauvignon, 750 mL | Buy on Amazon |
The discovery paper described rotundone as having a “strong spicy, peppercorn aroma.” It occurs in black and white peppercorns as well as grapes and wine. Wood et al. (2008).
Recommended Free Tools
Rotundone aroma is not pepper heat
A wine’s peppery smell and the heat of eating pepper are different sensations. Rotundone is associated with the aroma of peppercorns. Piperine and its stereoisomer chavicine are identified as pepper’s main active pungency compounds in a 2020 review; they are not the compound cited for the classic peppercorn aroma in Shiraz. Geffroy et al., OENO One (2020); Wood et al. (2008).
#1 Best Overall
- Medium bodied red wine with soft tannins and a smooth finish
- Fruit forward Argentinian Malbec with notes of plum, dark cherry and blackberry
- Excellent Malbec red wine to complement red meats or poultry dishes
- Awarded 91 Points from James Suckling, February 2019
- From Argentina
How little rotundone can be noticed?
In the Australian Wine Research Institute team’s 2008 sensory work, the detection thresholds reported for the sensitive portion of the panel were 16 ng/L in red wine and 8 ng/L in water. Those are panel-specific thresholds, not a promise that every drinker will notice rotundone at those concentrations. Wood et al. (2008).
- About 80% of the sensory panel was very sensitive to rotundone.
- About 20% of panelists could not detect it even at the highest concentration tested, 4,000 ng/L in water.
These results show why people can disagree about whether a wine smells peppery: the compound may be present, but individual detection varies substantially. Detecting an aroma also does not mean liking it. A 2020 consumer study found that participants generally disliked wine with added rotundone, while focus-group participants did not find the idea of a “peppery” wine appealing. That result describes those study participants, not all wine drinkers. Individual Differences in Thresholds and Consumer Preferences for Rotundone Added to Red Wine (2020).
Why peppercorns can smell so much stronger
In the 2008 study’s sample comparison, rotundone concentrations in black and white peppercorns were reported at approximately 10,000 times the level in very peppery wine. This is a comparison from that study, not a universal ratio for every peppercorn and wine. Wood et al. (2008).
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsRank #2
- One 750 ml wine bottle of Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon
- Red wine with flavors of blackberry, toasted hazelnut and cinnamon
- Full bodied, red wine with aromas of dark fruits, cinnamon, clove and subtle oak
- A California wine that is made with the high-quality standards for which Josh Cellars is known
- Red wine cabernet is perfectly paired with indulgent chocolate desserts or well-seasoned meats
Does every Shiraz or Syrah taste peppery?
No. The research supports an association between rotundone and peppery Shiraz/Syrah, not a guarantee about every bottle. The study also reported rotundone in other grape varieties, but the relationship with black-pepper aroma was stronger for Shiraz. A grape name alone cannot establish how peppery a particular wine will smell, and individual sensitivity further affects what a drinker perceives.
How rotundone was measured
In a 2008 methods paper, researchers quantified rotundone in grapes and wine using stable-isotope dilution, extraction, and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Wood et al., Determination of rotundone, the pepper aroma impact compound, in grapes and wine (2008).
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
