Characterization of Swiss vineyards using isotopic data in combination with trace elements and classical parameters

The objective of this work was to study methods to check the geographical origin of Swiss wines. Authentic grape samples from the vintages 2000 and 2001 were collected in representative locations, and the wines produced from these samples were subjected to isotopic (H-2/H-1(ethanol); O-18/O-16(wine water)), elemental (Mn, Al, B, Ba, Ca, Fe, Mg, Na, Rb, Sr, Zn) and FT-IR (ethanol, pH, total acidity, volatile acidity, malic acid, fructose, tartaric acid, lactic acid, succinate, citric acid, glycerol, 2,3-butandiol, dry matter and relative density (d(20))) analyses. The results showed that the variables O-18/O-16(wine water), strontium, rubidium, and ethanol%, when considered in a monovariate approach, allowed the best discrimination of the geographical origins of Swiss wines. By using a combination of all variables (multivariate approach), Switzerland was divided in four main production zones with a separation power that has never before been achieved. These zones were defined as Tessin, Valais, Romandie and Alemanique. A fifth zone (Graubunden) could be evidenced in vintage 2001.