An Analytical Method for Studying the Volatile Compounds of Merlot noir Clone Wines

Abstract

An analytical method to determine the volatile components of wines is proposed for studying Merlot noir cultivar clones (181, 182, 343, 347) produced in 1993 and 1994. The substances were 3-isobutyl-2-methoxypyrazine, three norisoprenoid-ketones, free terpenols and the alcohols with six carbon atoms. Wines made from the 1993 harvest contained more 3-isobutyl-2-methoxypyrazine and fewer norisoprenoids-ketones because of the cooler climatic conditions in that year. The wine of clone 182 had higher levels of 3-isobutyl-2-methoxypyrazine for the two harvests.