The Impact of Grape Maceration on Quality and Biogenic Amine Formation in Slovak Tokaj Wines: Examination of Microbial, Chemical and Sensory Properties

Grape maceration is essential in modulating the quality of Tokaj wines. The aim of this research was to analyse the effect of two maceration practices—one utilizing the application of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae culture and the other being maceration without a yeast culture in experimental Lipovina (Vitis vinifera L.) white wine from the Slovak part of the Tokaj region. Multiple factor analysis was used for the examination of wine quality regarding the formation of biogenic amines (BAs), and chemical, microbial and sensory variables were analysed over three months of wine production. The formation of bioactive components in wine was affected by maceration and maceration with the addition of a yeast culture, which resulted in a significantly increased antioxidant activity, as well as total phenolic and flavonoid content (p < 0.001). The wine samples that underwent maceration scored significantly lower in their appearance, aroma and taste (p < 0.05), which could be caused by a higher phenolic content and specific taste. The dynamics of BA formation in wine, evaluated using multiple factor analysis, highlighted that the maceration and maceration with an added yeast culture significantly affected these processes (p < 0.05). Microbiological examination promoted stable yeast counts during the maceration process, ensuring their longer presence during fermentation. Future research should aim to optimize maceration time in order to enhance the sensory quality of macerated wines without increasing the BA concentration, especially that of histamine.