LAUSR

Significance Transparent packaging is increasingly used for foodstuffs, including wine, milk, beer, and juice. This choice is based on the marketing recommendation that consumers want to see the product before buying it, although scientists point out that light can damage food quality and nutritional value. This work revealed that light can dramatically damage the aroma profile and sensorial identity of varietal white wine in less than a week of shelf-life in flint glass bottles. We proposed a mechanism of the lightstrike off-odor development, which includes the decrease of the fruity and flowery aroma able to mask off-odors, the rapid loss of aroma enhancers, and the catalyzation of photodegradations. It is our considered opinion that flint glass bottles should be avoided.