RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Characterization of the Geographic Origin of Bordeaux Wines by a Combined Use of Isotopic and Trace Element Measurements
JF American Journal of Enology and Viticulture
JO Am J Enol Vitic.
FD American Society for Enology and Viticulture
SP 409
OP 417
DO 10.5344/ajev.1999.50.4.409
VO 50
IS 4
A1 G. J. Martin
A1 M. Mazure
A1 C. Jouitteau
A1 Y.-L. Martin
A1 L. Aguile
A1 P. Allain
YR 1999
UL http://www.ajevonline.org/content/50/4/409.abstract
AB The authentication potential of combined isotopic and trace element analyses of wines from a relatively restricted geographical area has been estimated for the Bordeaux region in France. The natural abundance isotopic ratios of hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon, from water and ethanol extracted from the wine enable some distinctions between subregions. However the SNIF-NMR (Site-specific Natural Isotope Fractionation studied by NMR) and IRMS (Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry) parameters, which are subject to climatic influences, are usually more efficient for characterizing the year of production of a given appellation than for distinguishing different appellations. In this respect, significant enhancement of the authentication performances is achieved by considering selected trace elements which are specific of the soil. Appropriate isotopic and trace element databases enable specific subregions, even of small size, to be characterized by typical analytical patterns. It is then possible, as illustrated in the case of Pauillac wines, to determine whether commercial samples meet the quality criteria required by famous appellations.