Detecting the addition of sugar and water to wine. (20th September 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dordevic, N.; Camin, F.; Marianella, R.M.; Postma, G.J.; Buydens, L.M.C.; Wehrens, R.
• Is Part Of: Australian journal of grape and wine research. Volume 19:Number 3(2013:Oct.)
• Page Start: 324
• Page End: 330
• Publication Date: 2013-09-20
• Subjects: Viticulture -- Australia -- Periodicals; Wine and wine making -- Australia -- Periodicals; Viticulture -- Periodicals; Wine and wine making -- Periodicals; 634.80994
• DOI: 10.1111/ajgw.12043
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1322-7130

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="ajgw12043-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background and Aims</title> <p>Wine fraud has been practised since ancient times, continuing up to the present day and taking many forms. In this study, detection of the addition of unpermitted sugar and water to wines was evaluated using a univariate method, officially adopted, and several more effective multivariate methods.</p> </sec> <sec id="ajgw12043-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods and Results</title> <p>The results are based on 5220 Italian wine samples belonging to the European Union (EU) Wine Databank collected in the period 2000–2010. This databank contains stable isotope ratios for wine samples from many regions over many years. The addition of variable amounts of sugar and water was simulated according to experimental results, and univariate and multivariate methods were compared. It was shown that this type of fraud can be discovered much more easily by the application of multivariate methods.</p> </sec> <sec id="ajgw12043-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>It can be difficult to detect the addition of unpermitted sugar and water to wines. With multivariate tests based on the EU Wine Databank, the likelihood of detecting this kind of fraud is significantly increased.</p> </sec> <sec id="ajgw12043-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Significance of the Study</title> <p>This research evaluates and proposes a more efficient method for statistical interpretation of the EU Wine Databank for evaluation of wine authenticity.</p> </sec> </abstract>