A common perception is that ‘Flash-Detente’, or Bio-Thermocooler Vinification – is a new method of extracting flavor and color from grapes. The truth is flash units have been widely used in Europe, South America and Australia for many years although the technology is relatively new in the U.S. 

DELLA TOFFOLA has actually been offering Thermovinification technology for the last two decades, with over 50 installations in operation in wineries across the world, including seven in the United States.

The DELLA TOFFOLA ‘BioThermo’ system is a trusted enological treatment that aids in the extraction of color (anthocyanins), the extraction of tannin and other elements in order to promote structure, the extraction of varietal aroma and to ensure the maximum stability of these extracts. To achieve these goals quickly and continuously, the system works by the rapid heating and instantaneous expansion of the grapes in a high vacuum. The advantages of the system are:

• it makes use of the high temperatures to inhibit enzymes (polyphenoloxidases, laccases);
  
  
• it makes the cell walls fragile and thus facilitates and speeds up the diffusion of the macromolecules, such as anthocyanins, responsible for color tannins, responsible for structure volatile compounds, aromas and their precursors;
  
  
• the crushed grapes are cooled immediately; and
  
  
• this procedure also enables the user, should they desire,  to increase the use of fermenters, reducing considerably maceration times.
  
  

With a commitment to ongoing innovation and R&D, DELLA TOFFOLA recently released their second generation ‘ThermoCooler’ equipment, the multi-purpose ‘Biothermo-Cooler’.  Della Toffola’s Biothermo Cooler is a complete system that combines the classical thermovinification treatment of the first generation Bio-Cooler with the opportunity to instantaneously ‘flash’ the heated crushed grapes within a vacuum chamber.  This induces a rupture of the cell membranes that consequently tend to release far more anthocyanins and tannins. The BioThermo Cooler system is capable of regulating the temperature from +95 to -1°C while maintaining the utmost respect for the grapes and keeping operating costs down with a single Biothermo-Chiller unit that suffices for both thermo vinification, Flash and must freezing purposes.  It can be extremely beneficial for color extraction and flavor enhancement, especially for grapes set back by recent rains.

The BioThermo Cooler is available in models with capacities from 1.5 to 38 tons/hour, and is easy to integrate and adapt to existing wineries and systems.