Avram 2015
Avram 2015
Avram 2015
Analytical Letters
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To cite this article: Veronica Avram, Călin G. Floare, Anamaria Hosu, Claudia Cimpoiu, Constantin Măruţoiu & Zaharie
Moldovan (2014): Characterization of Romanian Wines by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, Analytical Letters, DOI:
10.1080/00032719.2014.974054
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Characterization of Romanian Wines by Gas
Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
Veronica Avram1, Călin G. Floare1, Anamaria Hosu2, Claudia Cimpoiu2, Constantin Măruţoiu3,
1
National Institute for Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies, Cluj-
Napoca, Romania
2
Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca,
Romania
3
Faculty of Ortodox Theology, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies, 65-103 Donath Street, 400293 Cluj-
Abstract
The paper reports the determination of the volatile composition of commercial Romanian wines
with the goal of identifying characteristic markers. For this purpose, twenty-seven samples from
four wine-producing areas from three consecutive years were investigated. Analysis was
performed by gas chromatography – mass spectrometry with liquid – liquid extraction. Forty-
1
eight volatile compounds were identified and characterized as alcohols, ethyl esters, fatty acids,
phenyl compounds, aldehydes, ketones, lactones, and terpenes as a percentage of the total area of
volatile compounds. The results are discussed in relationship to the grape variety, region, and
year of production.
Keywords
Introduction
The volatile composition of wine is one of the most important factors that determine its aroma
and therefore its quality (Selli et al. 2004; Gil et al. 2006; Camara, Alves, and Marques 2006a;
Coelho et al. 2008). The aromatic profile of wine results from the combined effects of several
different natural compounds (Alves et al. 2005) following the interaction of the original
components of the grape and those produced during the process of wine making, fermentation,
and aging (Gómez-Míguez et al. 2007). Consequently, the wine aroma has been classified into
four groups: aroma variety, characteristic to grape variety; pre-fermentative aroma derived
during processing of grapes; fermentative aroma produced by yeast and bacteria during alcoholic
and malo-lactic fermentation; and post-fermentative aroma resulting from the changes that occur
during storage and aging of wine (Vilanova et al. 2010). The wine aroma also depends on the
climate, region, viticulture practices, and physiological ripeness (Alves et al. 2005; Gómez
García-Carpintero et al. 2012a). The most abundant compounds responsible for the aroma of
wine are those formed during alcoholic fermentation, i.e., alcohols, esters, acids, phenyl
compounds, aldehydes, and ketones (Alves et al. 2005; Sánchez-Palomo et al. 2010).
Identification of these compounds and their relative concentrations can be a useful tool and
provide an isotopic fingerprint (Avram et al. 2014) for the characterization of wines with
2
different geographical origins based on a volatile fraction relationship established with grape
variety, origin, and processing technology used (Gil et al. 2006; Camara, Alves, and Marques
2006a; Welke et al. 2012). Due to their complexity and sometimes very low concentrations (in
The objective of this work was to determine the volatile composition from a series of
commercial Romanian white wines from different regions to identify and use some of the
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compounds as markers for geographical origin and processing technology. The analysis was
done by GC-MS following liquid-liquid extraction. The results are discussed in relationship to
the grape variety, region, and production year based on classes of compounds and leads the most
Experimental
Samples
Twenty-seven commercial white wines from the four most important wine regions in Romania:
Oltenia (Oprişor and Vânju-Mare Vineyards), Muntenia (Cramele Halewood and Ceptura
Vineyards), Moldova (Huşi Vineyard), and Transylvania (Jidvei Vineyard) were characterized.
The wine varieties were Sauvignon Blanc, Fetească Albă, and Riesling from 2008, 2009 and
Liquid-liquid Extraction
3
The protocol used in this work for the extraction of volatile compounds from wine samples was
adapted from Andujar-Ortiz et al. (2009). 25 milliliter of wine and 5 milliliter of methylene
chloride (Merck, Germany) were stirred at 0 degree celsius for one hour. Subsequently, the
mixture was kept for fifteen minutes in an ultrasonic bath at the same temperature to avoid
formation of an emulsion. After separation, the organic phase was collected and centrifuged. In
order to remove water, it was filtered through anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated by
GC-MS
The wine samples were analyzed using a gas chromatograph (Trace GC) coupled with a mass
methyl-phenyl siloxane class (5 percent) stationary phase (length of 30 meter, inner diameter of
0.25 millimeter, thickness of stationary phase of 0.25 micrometer). Helium was used as the
carrier gas at a constant flow rate of 1.5 microliter per minute. The column temperature was
programmed to be: initially 50 degree celsius, maintained for two minutes, and then increased at
10 degree celsius per minute to 300 degree celsius where it was maintained for ten minutes. The
temperature of the injector was 250 degree celsius. The mass spectrometer was equipped with an
temperatures at the interface and at the ion source were 300 and 250 degree celsius, respectively.
Acquisition was performed in the full scan mode from 50 to 650 Daltons.
4
Separation by GC-MS system was performed after optimization of the conditions. Figure 1
vinylguaiacol with the selected ion m/z = 135 (Figure 1b) and of vanillin derivatives
(acetosyringone, acetophenone, ethyl vanillin, and methyl vanillin) with the selected ion
Forty eight volatile compounds were identified belonging to eight different classes: alcohols,
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ethyl esters, fatty acids, phenyl compounds, aldehydes, ketones, terpenes, and lactones (Table 2).
In most cases, the identification of compounds was achieved by comparing registered mass
spectra with those in the NIST library spectra and in some cases with those published in the
literature (Camara, Alves, and Marques 2006a; Vichi et al. 2007). Volatile compounds
determined by GC-MS were grouped in classes of chemical structures and are reported as
relative mean concentrations (percent). The identified compounds were consistent with other
results reported in the literature (Rocha et al. 2004; González-Marco et al. 2008; Oliveira et al.
2008; Sáenz-Navajas et al. 2010; Robinson et al. 2011; Losada et al. 2012; Gómez García-
Carpintero et al. 2012b; Welke et al. 2012). Quantitative analysis was performed on the basic ion
chromatographic areas of each compound. The identified compounds and main parameters are
shown in Table 2.
To study the geo-climatic influence, on the volatile composition of Sauvignon Blanc, Fetească
Albă, and Riesling, wines from Oltenia, Muntenia, Moldova, and Transylvania were analyzed.
The behavior of each class of compounds compounds is discussed with reference to the primary
5
Alcohols
Higher alcohols are produced during alcoholic fermentation from carbohydrates and amino acids
and play an important role in the flavor of the wine according to the type and concentration
(Câmara, Alves, and Marques 2006b). Quantitatively they are the largest group of volatile
compounds (more than 50 percent) in the wines; these results are confirmed by other published
data (Zamúz and Vilanova 2006). However, their concentrations varies by type and vineyard as
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shown in Figure 2. The most important alcohols were aromatic: 2-phenylethanol, tyrosol,
triptophol, and benzyl alcohol. The only aliphatic alcohol present was 3-methylbutanol, but at a
low concentration. In some samples, the concentration was less than 1 percent of the alcohols
Figures 2a and b are very similar due of the high abundance of 2-phenylethanol relative to total
compounds from alcohol family (more than 90 percent). 2-Phenylethanol represents 68 percent
of the total volatile fraction. A similar result was reported by other authors (Vilanova et al. 2010;
The concentration of 2-phenylalanine amino acid increased following contact with the grape skin
and yeast. Thus, lie aging of wines on the grape and/or yeast lees (so called, autolysis of wines)
or a longer contact during maceration may increase the concentration of 2-phenylethanol (Selli et
al. 2006; Losada et al. 2012). The average concentrations of the identified alcohols were 64.8
percent for Sauvignon Blanc, 67.2 percent for Fetească Albă, and 57 percent for Riesling.
6
An increase in alcohol percentage was observed with time. Exceptions include Sauvignon Blanc
from Muntenia (vineyard I) and Riesling from Oltenia (vineyard II) and Transylvania (Jidvei).
This behavior can be explained by an increasing contribution of the esters and other components
in wines during maturation. Therefore the mentioned exceptions may be due to the specific
vinification processes.
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For Sauvignon Blanc, the average level of alcohols are 59.9 and 60.7 percent in Oltenia I and
Muntenia I vineyards but differ significantly in Oltenia II vineyard, 73.8 percent. This behavior
can be attributed to the differences in the vinification process, a hypothesis which is also
sustained by the relative stability of the values obtained in the Oltenia II vineyard. For Fetească
Albă, the average values of alcohols from Muntenia are 64.8 percent in vineyard I and 62.4
percent in vineyard II and are different from the value in the Moldova vineyard, 74.3 percent.
This should indicate that in Muntenia the vinification processes and climate were similar, but are
different from those in the Moldova vineyard. For Riesling, the average values obtained in
Muntenia and Oltenia vineyards were 53.1 and 50.5 percent, respectively, but significantly
different from the value of 67.3 percent obtained in the Transylvania vineyard. This trend may be
The average concentration strongly depended upon the geo-climatic conditions specific to the
grape region. The concentration differences among regions are between 11 and 16 percent. Also,
the vinification process contributes 1–3 percent. Small quantities of alcohols are produced by the
hydrolysis of esters during maturation in wood (Câmara, Alves, and Marques 2006b).
7
Ethyl Esters
Ethyl esters represent a class of compounds that also contribute significantly to the aroma of the
wine. They play a positive role in wine flavor being responsible for the floral and fruity
character. Thirteen esters were identified: three fatty acid ethyl esters (hexanoic-, octanoic- and
decanoic acid), nine esters of dicarboxylic acids (succinic, malic, citric), and an ethyl ester of a
heterocyclic carboxylic acid (2-furoic acid). The main ester contributors were monoethyl
succinate, diethyl succinate, and diethyl malate with average relative concentrations of 11.3, 7.0,
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and 8.7 percent, respectively, with small differences on grape variety. The maximum of succinic
The following ethyl esters of fatty acids were identified: ethyl hexanoate, ethyl octanoate, and
ethyl decanoate. These compounds are primarily produced in the first stage of alcoholic
fermentation (Gil et al. 2006) and contribute the aromas of green apples, pears, and pineapple
(Noguerol-Pato et al. 2009; Gómez García-Carpintero et al. 2012b). The levels of these esters
were approximately 0.1 percent in most samples. Ethyl hexanoate was slightly higher than for
the others, consistent with the literature (Câmara, Alves, and Marques 2006b). Riesling from the
Oltenia region (vineyard II) contained the highest percentages in all years of production,
reaching 0.15 percent in 2010. Because the content and composition of the ester fraction is
influenced by fermentation conditions, a possible explanation for the low level may be a higher
In Figure 3, the total concentrations of ethyl esters for three consecutive years are shown. An
increasing trend of their contribution from year to year that correlated with the downward trend
observed for alcohols was present. This correlation occurred because esters are the second class
8
of compounds in the order of abundance. Their relative average values were approximately 30
percent.
The averages were 28.6 percent for Sauvignon Blanc, 26.5 percent for Fetească Albă, and 35.6
percent for Riesling. The values of ethyl esters obtained for each vineyard for Sauvignon Blanc
and Fetească Albă were inversely correlated with alcohol abundances as can be seen in Figures
2a and b. An average of 22 percent was obtained for Sauvignon Blanc in vineyard II of Oltenia
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that was significantly smaller compared with 31.2 percent in vineyard I of Oltenia and 32.5
percent in vineyard I of Muntenia. For Fetească Albă from Moldova region, an average of 19.1
percent was obtained that was also smaller compared with values of 30.5 and 29.9 percent
obtained from vineyards I and II of Muntenia. These observations are consistent that the
Riesling contained the highest values of esters. The average values were 33.3 percent in
Muntenia (vineyard II), 43.2 percent in Oltenia (vineyard II), and 27.2 percent in Transylvania.
Although a similar correlation was expected with the corresponding alcohols levels, a more
The ethyl ester concentration increased with age except for Transylvania varieties. In addition to
the climate contribution, ester concentration may also increase during aging due to esterification
reactions (Câmara, Alves, and Marques 2006b; Coetzee and du Toit 2012). We assume,
therefore, that the levels depend substantially on grape variety and on the fermentation
conditions in each vineyard. The type of enzymes and the factors influencing their action, such
9
Fatty Acids
Wine fatty acids are formed in the first two stages of alcoholic fermentation, but can be found
also in very low concentrations in the original composition of the must before fermentation. The
formation of volatile fatty alcohol during fermentation is relatively low in terms of quantity, but
are very important in terms of flavor (Câmara, Alves, and Marques 2006b) which may be
described as having fruity, cheese, fatty, and rancid notes (Gil et al. 2006; Tufariello et al. 2012;
Although the presence of C6–C10 fatty acids is linked with the presence of an unpleasant aroma,
they are important to the aromatic equilibrium of wine as they prevent the hydrolysis of
corresponding esters. It was found that concentrations of 4–10 milligram per liter of C6 fatty
acids provide a pleasant aroma, while levels above 20 milligram per liter have a negative effect
Seven fatty acids were identified: butanoic, hexanoic, octanoic, decanoic, dodecanoic,
tetradecanoic, and hexadecanoic. Their levels were low in all types of wine in concordance with
previous studies (Gómez García-Carpintero et al. 2012a). For butanoic acid, the variation was
very small: the mean values were approximately 0.15 percent for Sauvignon Blanc and Fetească
Albă and 0.28 percent for Riesling. The concentrations of C10, C12, C14, and C16 acids were
approximately 0.01 percent in all samples. Hexanoic and octanoic acids accounted for the largest
contribution with average values of 0.9 and 1.3 percent. The higher level of the octanoic acid
relative to hexanoic acid is common as reported in the literature (Vilanova et al. 2009; Losada et
al. 2012; Gómez García-Carpintero et al. 2012a). The distribution of fatty acids is shown in
Figure 4.
10
The average acid concentrations were 2.9 percent for Sauvignon Blanc, 2.1 percent for Fetească
Albă, and 3 percent for Riesling. The range of the individual values is quite wide showing a
minimum value of 0.74 percent and a maximum of 5.01 percent. The acid levels were affected
by the type of yeast, temperature, oxygen, pH, and nitrogen sources. Also, some technological
processes such as skin maceration or clarification of the must before fermentation may lead to an
increase in fatty acids (Pérez Olivero and Pérez Trujillo 2011). A decrease in acid concentration
by variety as a function of age was observed (Figure 3). This trend is in contrast with the results
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for ethyl esters (as shown in Figure 2), confirming that esterification of acids is a continuously
Phenyl Compounds
The primary phenyl compounds responsible for wine aroma originate from grapes or can be
generated during alcoholic fermentation by degradation of phenolic acids. Volatile phenols are
considered to be characteristic components of wine flavor. Their influence to the final product
can be positive or negative, depending on their concentration (Tufariello et al. 2012; Gómez
The main phenols in white wines are 4-ethylguaicol, 4-vinylguaicol, and 4-vinylphenol
(Tufariello et al. 2012). The presence of these compounds in wines is associated with
Brettanomyces (Dekker) yeast but also may originate from wood barrels in which maturation
occurs (Ortega-Heras et al. 2007). In white wines and at high concentrations, vinylphenols may
be responsible for heavy pharmaceutical odors, but at moderate or low concentrations may be
associated with a pleasant aroma of spice (Gil et al. 2006; Sánchez-Palomo et al. 2010).
11
Fourteen phenolics were identified including 4-vinylguaiacol, styrene, vanillic acid methyl ester,
According to the literature, a higher concentration of ethyl p-coumarate or ethyl ferulate may
indicate that the wine was aged in barrels (Hixson et al. 2012). Also, 4-vinylguaiacol is found
only in white wines and its presence in the red and rosé wines serve as an indicator for
A higher concentration of ethyl p-coumarate was observed in Sauvignon Blanc from Oltenia
(vineyard I) in 2008 (1.02 percent). 4-Vinylguaiacol level was low, with average values below
0.1 percent. The Fetească Albă variety was an exception; in Moldova and Muntenia (vineyard II)
the values were close to 0.2 percent. Figure 5 shows the total phenyl profile in the three types of
wine.
The average values were 1.9 percent for Sauvignon Blanc, 1.6 percent for Fetească Albă, and 2
percent for Riesling. The maximum value was obtained for Riesling wine in vineyard II of
Muntenia which was primarily due to the high values of ethyl o- or m-coumarate (1.28 percent)
and of m-tolyl ester (1.6 percent). A significantive difference also appeared between averages at
the vineyards: 4.2 percent for vineyard II of Muntenia and 0.9 percent in vineyard II of Oltenia
and Transylvania. Similar results, but not so pronounced, were observed in Sauvignon Blanc
where the vineyard averages were 3.4 percent for Oltenia I, 1.3 percent for Oltenia II, and 1.0
percent for Muntenia I. For Fetească Albă, the average values were: 1.5 percent in Moldova, 1.0
percent in Muntenia I, and 2.2 percent in Muntenia II, showing more homogeneous distributions.
12
No dependence of phenyl compounds concentration was observed for any wine variety based on
year. Since the concentrations of phenyl compounds are not dependent significantly on the type
of grape or geo-climatic conditions (variation from a year to other), the significant differences
may be explained by longer times of skin contact used to produce a floral and fruity wine (Selli
Aldehydes
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The most important for wine aroma are phenylacetaldehyde and syringic aldehyde.
phenylpropanoic acid (Sarrazin et al. 2007) and contributes the note of aged wood (Campo et al.
2006). Syringic aldehyde is a phenolic aldehyde and together with vanillin and its derivatives is
formed by thermal degradation of lignin during burning oak wood (Liberatore et al. 2010;
Gómez García-Carpintero et al. 2012b). Since its concentration is low in the majority of wines,
not exceeding 0.01 percent and absent in some Sauvignon Blanc samples, its contribution to total
aldehydes is low. Phenylacetaldehyde was present in all samples at between 0.11 and 0.50
percent. A large value for Fetească Albă in 2009 from Moldova was observed due mostly to a
higher concentration of benzenebutanal. This compound was not reported in previous papers. It
is likely that this compound was produced from the container in which the wine was produced.
The average concentrations of aldehydes was only 0.49 percent of the total volatile compounds
13
The minimum measured value for aldehydes was 0.16 percent and the maximum was 0.78
percent. The variety averages were 0.43 percent for Sauvignon Blanc, 0.42 percent for Fetească
Albă (value calculated excepting the mentioned outlier value), and 0.60 percent for Riesling. The
average level of aldehydes from each vineyard did not vary significantly (0.43 percent). A
slightly higher level was observed for the Rieslings, especially in the Transylvania vineyard,
where the average for three years was 0.89 percent. An explanation is based on the significant
al. 2007).
Ketones
syringic aldehyde and 4-vinylguaiacol, are produced during wine aging in oak barrels to enhance
the sensory quality of wines (Ortega-Heras et al. 2007; Liberatore et al. 2010; Gómez García-
The averages were 0.14 percent for Sauvignon Blanc, 0.29 percent for Fetească Albă, and 0.23
percent for Riesling from the total volatile compounds identified. Higher levels for Fetească Albă
and Riesling were observed compared to Sauvignon Blanc. However, this behavior was not
associated with the wine type; rather, the values depended to a greater extent on the vineyard and
production year. Thus, for Fetească Albă, a significantly differences between the levels of
ketones obtained in the two vineyards in the region of Muntenia was observed. The average for
the three years was 0.13 percent in vineyard I and 0.47 percent in vineyard II and confirm that
14
the vinification process has a major influence. Longer contact with wood may have caused the
higher values from vineyard II. Regarding the temporal evolution, although in some cases there
was an increase in ketones as wine was aged, in other cases, it was almost constant or decreased
Lactones
(Figure 7). The latter was more abundant. -Decalactons are among the most important
components contributing to sensory characteristics of wines aged in oak barrels (Perestrelo et al.
2006; Câmara, Alves, and Marques 2006b; Losada et al. 2011). The aroma of lactones depends
on their chemical structure (functional group and the side chain length) and are described as
floral” ( -dodecalactone) (Perestrelo et al. 2006; Câmara, Alves, and Marques 2006b).
The averages were 1.17 percent for Sauvignon Blanc, 1.23 percent for Fetească Albă, and 1.44
percent for Riesling. Lactones are the third most important compound class (average
concentration around of 1.25 percent), following fatty acids and phenolic compounds. Despite
the relatively small differences between the mean values obtained on the types of wine, a more
pronounced difference was present for average lactones from the vineyards. Thus, for Fetească
Albă in the Muntenia region, there was a significant difference between the levels obtained in the
two vineyards. The mean values for the three years was 0.89 percent in vineyard I and 1.53
percent in vineyard II. This is similar to the results observed for ketones. These results may be
due to the different conditions of fermentation or aging. If the wine is fermented on lees or aged
15
in oak barrels, the concentrations of phenols, ketones, phenolic aldehydes, and lactones may
increase.
Terpenes
Terpenes are heterogeneous chemical compounds from the structural point of view and are
widely found in nature. In spite of their structural variety, terpenes are biosynthesised from
of this structural unit, (C5H8)n, where n is the number of isoprene units linked. Although
developed primarily in conifers, terpenes appear also in grapes in free form or linked to sugar
molecules, when they form a reserve of odorless aroma. Subsequently, terpenes can be released
from sugars through the action of several enzymes, contributing to the characteristic floral flavor
Monoterpenes are particularly abundant in aromatic grape varieties such as: Muscat, Riesling,
and Gewürztraminer (Masa and Vilanova 2008; Dziadas and Jeleń 2010). Since most terpenoids
occur in micro-concentrations in grapes, must, and wine, their quantification is often difficult
(Câmara, Alves, and Marques 2006c). Thus, in these samples, only one terpene was determined,
2-acetyl-carene, a bicyclic monoterpene. Its percentage in the three types of wine was very small
(under 0.3 percent) but consistent with the literature (Welke et al. 2012). The variation of 2-
The averages based on variety are close: 0.11 percent for Sauvignon Blanc, 0.11 percent for
Fetească Albă, and 0.16 percent for Riesling. The maximum level of 2-acetyl-carene was
obtained for Fetească Albă in 2008 in Muntenia region. Wine from 2008 had the highest
16
concentrations of 2-acetyl-carene for many wine samples. This observation is consistent with
climatic conditions. Because one of the most important factors that influence the characteristic
aroma of a particular variety of grape is ripening stage, a possible explanation for the higher
concentration of 2-acetyl-carene in 2008 is that in this year the weather conditions allowed a
delayed harvest and the grapes reached full maturity. Terpenoids are higher in wine produced
To determine the influence of grape variety on the volatile composition, Sauvignon Blanc,
Riesling, and Fetească Albă produced in Muntenia region were analyzed. Thus, the behavior of
the major volatile compounds (higher alcohols and ethyl esters) was studied in these assortments.
The values by compound family shown a downward trend of alcohol contribution to the total
volatile compounds as the wines were aged. This behavior is, as mentioned, correlated with the
increased contribution of ethyl esters. Since alcohols and esters are major components of wine
(the totality of minor compounds are about 10 percent), their correlation is evident and an
increase of ethyl esters content in older wines is observed. This correlation supports the idea that
ethyl esters are formed from acids and alcohols present in wine during aging.
The alcohol averages over the three years were 53.1 percent for Riesling, 60.7 percent for
Sauvignon Blanc, and 64.8 percent for Fetească Albă in vineyard I and 62.4 percent in vineyard
II. The averages over the three years for ethyl esters were 36.3 percent for Riesling, 32.5 percent
for Sauvignon, and 30.5 percent for Fetească Albă in vineyard I and 29.9 percent in vineyard II.
The concentrations of alcohols were close for Sauvignon Blanc and Fetească Albă but
17
significantly lower for Riesling. A similar situation was observed for ethyl esters but the
Conclusions
LLE GC-MS was robust and rapid for the determination of volatiles in wine. Forty-eight
compounds were determined from 0.001 to 75 percent. Detailed analyses of the compounds
allow correlation with the technology used at a vineyard, region, and production year. Average
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concentration of alcohols strongly depended upon the geo-climatic conditions specific to the
cultivation region. The range of total alcohols was between 53.10 and 67.33 percent. A decrease
in the alcohol percentage was observed with time due to a higher contribution by esters during
maturation. Ester concentration showed a strong dependence on grape variety. For example, the
average value for Fetească Albă was 26.5 percent but for Riesling the average was 35.6 percent.
An increase was observed from year to year and the values correlated with the downward trend
The concentrations of acids depended primarily on vineyard processing (type of yeast and
specific technology). In the same region (Oltenia) for the same type of grape (Sauvignon Blanc)
but in different vineyards, the average of the acids was of 1.33 percent in vineyard Oltenia II but
3.7 percent in vineyard Oltenia I. The main factor influencing phenolic levels was vinification
technology (longer time of skin contact during the preparation of the must). The maximum level
18
The concentrations of ketones and lactones depended upon the contact time with wood during
the aging in oak barrels. Thus, for Fetească Albă, significant differences were observed between
the levels of ketones obtained in two vineyards from Muntenia: 0.13 percent at vineyard I and
0.47 percent at vineyard II. A similar result was obtained for lactones: the concentrations were
0.89 percent in vineyard I and 1.53 percent in vineyard II from the same region. The levels of
terpenes were characteristic of climatic condition (ripening stage of the grape). The highest level
was observed for all varieties in 2008 because weather conditions allowed a delayed harvest.
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Table 1. White wine samples
n Blanc (Vineyard I)
2 2009
(Cramele
3 2010
Halewood,
Dealurile
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Munteniei)
4 Oltenia 2008
(Vineyard I)
5 2009
(Oprişor,
6 2010
Dealurile
Olteniei)
7 Oltenia 2008
(Vineyard II)
8 2009
(Mehedinţi,Vânj
9 2010
u-Mare)
Albă (Dealurile
11 2009
Huşilor)
12 2010
13 Muntenia 2008
23
14 (Vineyard I) 2009
(Cramele
15 2010
Halewood,
Dealurile
Munteniei)
16 Muntenia 2008
(Vineyard II)
17 2009
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(Ceptura,
18 2010
Dealurile
Munteniei)
(Vineyard II)
20 2009
(Ceptura,
21 2010
Dealurile
Munteniei)
22 Oltenia 2008
(Vineyard II)
23 2009
(Mehedinţi,
24 2010
Vânju-Mare)
25 Transylvania 2008
(Jidvei)
26 2009
27 2010
24
Table 2. Identified compound, retention time (tr), and ion used for quantification (m/z)
Alcohols
3-Methyl-1-butanol 5.89 57
2-Phenylethanol 9.01 91
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Acids
Esters
25
Hexanoic acid, ethyl ester 6.84 88
ester
diethyl ester
diethyl ester
Phenyl compounds
26
Benzoic acid, 2,6-dihydroxy-, methyl 12.03 136
ester
ester
ester
ester
Aldehydes
Phenylacetaldehyde 12.43 91
27
Benzenebutanal 14.58 104
dimethoxy-
Ketones
dimethoxy-
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Lactones
(phenylmethyl)-
γ-Decalactone 11.78 85
Terpene
28
Figure 1. GC-MS of Fetească Albă from Muntenia: (a) total ion chromatogram (TIC); (b)
chromatogram of 4-vinylguaiacol at m/z = 135; and (c) chromatogram of acetosyringone,
acetophenone, ethyl vanillin, and methyl vanillin at m/z = 151.
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Figure 2. Relative concentrations of alcohols determined in Sauvignon Blanc, Fetească Albă, and
Riesling: (a) total alcohols and (b) 2-phenylethanol.
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Figure 5. Concentrations of phenyl compounds in wine.
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Figure 8. Concentrations of 2-acetyl-carene in wine.