Wine Analysis

Aspiration Time

• As free sulphur dioxide (FSO₂) is removed, during aspiration, there is a corresponding shift in equilibrium between the FSO₂ and the bound sulphur dioxide (BSO₂).
  
  
• This results in some of the BSO₂ (bound SO₂) being measured as FSO₂ (free SO₂).
  
  
• The 15 min aspiration time, at a flow rate of 1L/min, ensures the removal of all FSO₂ without any significant levels of BSO₂ being included.
  
  This is the reason why the aspiration time and the flow rate are important when determining FSO₂.
  
  
• The flow rate and aspiration time is not as important when analyzing the BSO₂.