Regional Variation of Chemical Characteristics in Young Marselan (Vitis vinifera L.) Red Wines from Five Regions of China

Abstract

The environmental conditions of wine regions determine the flavor characteristics of wine. The characterization of the chemical composition and sensory profiles of young Marselan wines from five wine-producing regions in China was investigated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (MS), high-performance liquid chromatography-triple-quadrupole MS/MS and descriptive analysis. Young Marselan wines can be successful discriminated based on concentrations of volatile compounds, but not phenolic compounds, by orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis according to regions. Compared to Jiaodong Peninsula (JDP) and Bohai Bay (BHB) regions, there were relatively lower average concentrations of varietal volatiles (mainly including <i>β</i>-citronellol, geraniol, and (<i>E</i>)-<i>β</i>-damasenone) and several fermentation aroma compounds (including isoamyl acetate, octanoic acid, decanoic acid, ethyl decanoate, etc.) but higher levels of acetic acid in Xinjiang (XJ), Loess Plateau (LP), and Huaizhuo Basin (HZB) regions, which were related to their characteristic environmental conditions. Marselan wines from HZB, LP, and XJ regions were characterized by lower <i>L</i> values and higher <i>a</i> and <i>C</i>_ab values. Marselan wines from XJ were discriminated from the wines from other regions due to their higher concentrations of several flavonols. Sensory analysis indicated that Marselan wines from HZB region were characterized by relatively low intensities of floral and fruity aromas compared to other regions.