On-line measurement tool for wine industry The latest advances in computer technology are being introduced to the ancient art of wine making. The ELEN-TOOL system seeks to improve the quality of wine for all involved. Health The European ELEN-TOOL project aimed to set the standard in winemaking and make bad wine a thing of the past. Wine producers everywhere take great effort to ensure that consumers only receive the very finest of their product. Standardising wine quality however is a major feat given the numerous variables which may affect wine production. A team of Italian researchers have been investigating the application of knowledge based software solutions to the problem faced by wine producers, and they have come up with the ELEN-TOOL system. This innovative application of computer technology will allow producers to continuously monitor the fermentation process from must to wine. By enabling the continuous monitoring of wine production, wine producers will finally be able to prevent deviations in wine characteristics and therefore weed out wine batches which fail to meet quality standards. The advantage to producers is that they will be able to ensure the high quality of wine production which they desire. This will produce the added benefit of improving the quality and image of their wine production as bad wine is removed from their range. Consumers too will also benefit as they will be ensured of purchasing wine which has met certain quality standards. The technology utilised in the ELEN-TOOL system enables a high degree of reliability, ease of use, automation as well as a wide range of adaptability. The system is able to monitor a wider variety of parameters than those which current systems offer, such as temperature, pH and alcohol. Perhaps most important of all, the system is able to monitor the complex aromas produced which are critical for wine quality. The system is also environmentally friendly as it does not involve chemical treatments or solvents thus improving employee working conditions.
