Alcohol Case Study

The winery industry can be categorized into red and white wine segments. The red wine segment, measured by tonnage of varietals crushed, has grown at a compounded annual rate of 4.7% for 10 years from 1989 to 1998, and a year over year growth rate of 8.2% from 1998 to 1999. Judging by the strong growth rate experienced in the red wine segment, it is reasonable to conclude that the red wine segment is in the growth phase of the life cycle model. In addition, production of red wine varietals which are relatively unknown such as syrah and sangiovese nearly doubled in a year from 1998 to 1999. The white wine segment, however, is at the mature phase of its life cycle as the segment shrunk slightly by 0.42% from 1998 to 1999. Overall, the industry is still at the growth stage lead by growth in the red wine segment.

Oxidation is a key reaction in organic chemistry. Oxidation of an alcohol can produce aldehydes,

The Hydroxyl group on alcohols relates to their reactivity. This concept was explored by answering the question “Does each alcohol undergo halogenation and controlled oxidation?” . Using three isomers of butanol; the primary 1-butanol, the secondary 2-butanol and the tertiary 2-methyl-2-propanol, also referred to as T-butanol, two experiments were performed to test the capabilities of the alcohols. When mixed with hydrochloric acid in a glass test tube, the primary alcohol and secondary alcohols were expected to halogenate, however the secondary and tertiary ended up doing so. This may have been because of the orientation of the Hydroxyl group when butanol is in a different

The dynamics of the global wine industry are better understood through a brief history of wine as well as an overview of the wine making process. Some countries have longer historical and cultural ties with wine then others and that can affect the quality and perception of the product in the eyes of the consumer. Also, the conditions in which the wine grapes are raised and the processes used to make the wine can create a superior wine and therefore a competitive advantage.

Wine has been a popular beverage for many years amongst different societies. The process of winemaking is one of the most complex and detailed processes, where every step is meticulous towards ensuring the best quality wine is produced. However, different phenomena are able to affect the wine even after it is bottled and stored.

Ecological dimensions of wine production primarily centre on the use of organic viticulture. Since the earlier days of production, industries have realized they had used a devastating amount of agrochemicals and fertilisers to grow their wines. Today, as environmental views have changed, many wine producers have initiated or promoted the notion of organic viticulture. This involves the use of organic materials and using

Some of the numerous antioxidants included in red wine are Anthocyanins, flavonols, catechins, flavonoids,resveratrol. “During the last two decades, several epidemiological studies have shown that moderate consumption of red wine may contribute to a reduction in the mortality rate due to cardiovascular diseases.” (El Rayess 3). This is completely contradictory to the argument that alcohol has no benefits, when in fact it can possibly reduce heart disease and cancers. This data further stresses the fact that the government should be more concerned with the health risks of cigarettes and tobacco because statistics support the idea that alcohol is relatively safer for

The article “Chemistry of Winemaking: A unique Lecture Demonstration” by L. B. Church of the State University of New York, seeks to demonstrate how the winemaking process can be used as a teaching tool. Found in the Journal of Chemical Education, the text uses an instructive and formal tone while discussing the process and how it might relate to the classroom. His rhetoric leans heavily toward the use of logic. Aimed for chemistry teachers, the article refrains from using step-by-step demonstrations of each and every process, and instead discusses the use of common techniques that could be used within the framework of Winemaking. By guiding the readers through the general process, the author makes it seem a logical and easy to implement

The French paradox is a slogan which was first used in the 1980’s to summarize the observation of low Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) rates, as shown in figure 1, of the French despite their dangerously high intake of dietary cholesterol and saturated fat (Ferrières, 2004). The French acquire approximately 38% of their energy from fat with 16% of that being saturated fat. This is in contradiction to the widely known and proved hypothesis that a high consumption of fat is a major factor in CHD. This paradox implies a significant possibility: There is an additional factor in the French diet that alleviates the risks associated with a high fat diet. Ryan Fujiu believes that it is the regular consumption of red wine that diminishes the dangers of a high fat diet. He states that: “The health benefits of red wine have come to light in recent years. Hope is on the horizon, and it may be in your glass” ref. This topic is highly controversial as there are also detriments to the consumption of alcohol. There has been much debate about this issue for the last two decades. In order to make a plausible decision on Ryan’s statement, this report will look at the advantages and disadvantages of red wine by analysing chemicals present in wine and their effects on the human body. During the wine making process various chemicals are added, so it is necessary to look at the wine making process first to come up with a plausible decision for Ryan’s statement.

If you thoroughly enjoy a nice glass of wine, you may already be prepared to sign up for this type of diet. However, red wine is only to be consumed in moderation with this diet. The rationale behind red wine involves the healthy anti-oxidants it provides. If you choose to enjoy red wine, make sure it only happens moderately.

The oxidation reaction occurs as a two-step reaction. The first step involves the formation of chromate esters and the second step is an elimination reaction that will produce the carbonyl group necessary to make either a ketone or an aldehydes. The reaction is hallmarked by the breaking of a C-H bond and the formation of a C-O bond (James, 2014). Specifically when oxidizing alcohols, it is important to note that primary alcohols can be converted to aldehydes as well as completely to carboxylic acids, secondary alcohols are converted to ketones and no further, and tertiary alcohols cannot be oxidized. The oxidizing agent removes the hydrogen from the –OH group and the hydrogen from the C-H group attached to the –OH group in a compound. Tertiary alcohols cannot be oxidized because they lack the C-H bond that is present in both the oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols (Clark, 2003).

Alcoholism is a prominent substance abuse issue in Western society. The treatment method of controlled drinking as opposed to abstinence is a continuing cause of controversy in alcohol research to this day. The US is different from Europe in its acceptance of controlled drinking as a goal of treatment: “in the US alcohol dependence is typically depicted as a ‘recurring disease’ and the ‘successful abstainer’ as a ‘recovering’ though never ‘recovered’ alcoholic” (Coldwell, 2005). Depending on the alcohol abuse patient’s individual characteristics, either controlled drinking or abstinence is chosen as a treatment.

In the most recent years, domestic sales of wine has declined constantly. The wine consumption is becoming more occasional. This is partially due to an aggressive anti-alcohol campaign and driving restrictions set by the local government, but also facilitated by a lack of marketing strategy: the wine market is loosing touch with the youth (the average age of wine drinker is gone up from 35 to 55) and young people are getting more keen to beer or alcohol pops.

Bieler, Kristen Wolfe (2006), “Behind the [ yellow tail ]® Phenomenon: How It Happened and What’s Next?” Beverage Media Group, February, pdf download.

Nowadays, in the “Old World” countries of Europe, where the bulk of the volume is still produced, this is of great concern. However, consumers, especially younger drinkers, prefer the high quality wine from famous brands which are imported into Europe by the “New World” player, and the growth rate is at average10% per