DAVIS, CA, March 22, 2018 - Cornell University’s chemosensory professor and Flavornet co-founder Dr. Terry Acree will be the recipient of the 2018 Merit Award, the American Society for Enology and Viticulture’s (ASEV) highest honor. A leading researcher on aroma and flavor perception, Dr. Acree will be sharing his presentation, “From Methyl Anthranylate to Mercaptohexanol: Measuring Wine Qualia,” at the ASEV 69^th National Conference on June 21, 2018.

Dr. Acree, a professor in the food science department at Cornell University in New York, primarily focuses on food composition and its relationship to the chemosensory perception of flavor. In his laboratory, he and other scientists have identified odorants that affect flavor in food. As a result, Dr. Acree and Henry Arn established their site Flavornet in 1997 to compile the identified aroma compounds found in human odor space. Using Gas Chromatography–Olfactometry, Dr. Acree’s research has explained, at least in terms of their most prominent features, the odors of complex foods like the lychee fruit aroma in Gewürztraminer wine. Ultimately, he hopes to be able to explain how sensory composition of food contributes to food perception, choice and enjoyment.

Each year, the ASEV presents the Merit Award to an individual who has contributed in a significant manner to the progress and advancement of enology and viticulture in the industry and/or to the Society. The award acknowledges excellence in the fields of education, technology, management, public relations or any discipline related to enology and viticulture.

In 1950, the ASEV National Conference was established as an annual meeting by a committee of industry and academic representatives comprised of founding leaders such as Maynard Amerine, James Guymon, Joseph Heitz, Louis P. Martini, Harold Olmo, Andre Tchelistcheff, A.W. Webb and A.J. Winkler. The event serves as the wine and grape industry’s platform for progress, offering a unique combination of continued professional education to scientific rigor and fundamental practice. The diverse and comprehensive program includes seminars addressing topics of daily experience in the winery and vineyard as well as reports and updates on original research, and enology and viticulture work in progress.

Open to all industry and academic representatives, the National Conference provides an ideal opportunity for networking among members of all U.S. wine and grape regions as well as international experts and professionals.

For the latest information about the 69^th National Conference taking place in Monterey, California, on June18-21, visit www.asev.org.        

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