Application of quality control methods for assessing wine authenticity: Use of multivariate analysis (chemometrics)

Determination of food authenticity is one of the most crucial issues in food quality control and safety. The introduction of new sophisticated techniques, in conjunction with greater consumer demands and expectation for safer products, gives a tremendous impetus to food quality assurance. Wine adulteration, mainly in terms of varieties and regions of origin (geographical), has been very widespread. Therefore, apart from novel experimental techniques, the need emerged for a more comprehensive statistical data analysis. Multivariate analysis comprising principal component analysis (PCA), discriminant analysis (DA), canonical analysis (CA), cluster analysis (CLA), has, in most cases, been effectively employed in wine differentiation and classification according to geographical origin. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.