The Australian Wine Research Institute’s Analytical Service - Analyses

Alcoholic Strength Analysis

Alcoholic strength analysis by near infrared reflectance (NIR)/FOSS FTIR Winescan
These infra-red methods are fast and accurate and can be used for wines containing < 30 g/L of sugars. The NIR method has been calibrated using distillation/pycnometry and the FOSS FTIR Winescan method has been calibrated using the NIR method.

Alcoholic strength analysis by distillation/densitometry
This method is used for analysis of sweet or fortified wine products and for non-wine matrices such as beer, cider and fruit wines.

Methanol Analysis
The concentration of methanol in wine, fortified and spirit samples is determined by capillary gas chromatography using an acetonitrile internal standard. This analysis is used to determine the methanol content of fortifying spirit, and has been used at the Institute to measure the extent of possible brine contamination. Acetaldehyde and ethyl acetate can be analysed simultaneously to methanol.

Prices per sample (excluding GST)
Analysis 1-3 samples 4-7 samples 8+ samples
Alcohol by NIR/FOSS FTIR Winescan
Volume required - 50 mL
Target response time - 24 hours		 $26 $25 $24
Alcohol by distillation/densitometry
Volume required - 500 mL
Target response time - 48 hours		 $63 $60 $58
Methanol or acetaldehyde or ethyl acetate*
Volume required - 500 mL		 $222 $216 $207

*Currently provided by an external NATA-accredited contract laboratory with a turnaround time of 20 working days.

A handling fee of A$25 exclusive of GST applies per invoice.

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