Chêne & Cie and Vinquiry Laboratories by Enartis USA have announced the launch of the new and unique analytical service in North America – CAOX®. This is a patented electro-chemical technique and equipment designed to measure wine antioxidant capacity and redox potential. In other words, CAOX® measures the capacity of a wine to resist oxidation and therefore resist the effects of time.

Potential uses of this new test are numerous:

• Direct measurement of antioxidant capacity of must, juice or wine – red, white and rosé
• Comparison of wines among the same vintage or among different vintages
• Evaluate the impact of different winemaking practices such as racking, “cliquage,” topping, packaging, etc. on antioxidant capacity
• Compare treatments likely to impact levels of antioxidants such as lees ageing, tannins, levels of SO₂, fining, stabilization, preparation of wines for bottling, etc.

CAOX® was developed by the Chêne group (patent Chêne & Cie FR1361871). It was initially applied to wood at Taransaud Cooperage to create the PureT^® range of barrels dedicated to fine white wines. The methodology has been further developed to be used directly on wines and spirits to evaluate and compare the ability of different samples to resist oxidation.

CAOX® is now available to wineries and distilleries in North America through Vinquiry Laboratories by Enartis USA. For more information about this service please call us at (707) 838-6312 or email us at customerservice@enartis.com.