Classification of French red wines according to their geographical origin by the use of multivariate analyses

Abstract

The aim of this study was to obtain detailed descriptions and to classify 22 red wines from four main wine regions in France based on both sensory and chemical analyses. The chemical data included major acids, alcohols, esters, pH, total phenols and colour. Seventeen attributes were included in the sensory data; twelve analytical and five complex descriptions. A description of the wines from the different French wine regions was obtained. A better classification, based on the chemical data set, was achieved; 81.8% correctly classified wines, versus 63.6% based on the sensory data set. A better choice of sensory attributes and a well trained panel can improve the correlation between sensory descriptions and chemical analyses. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry