Use of Factor Analysis for the Characterization and Modelling of Maturation of Palomino Fino Grapes in the Jerez Region

Abstract

Factor analysis was made of data derived from monitoring maturation of Palomino fino (<i>Vitis vinifera L.</i>) over eight years during the decade 1983-1992 in the wine producing area of Jerez, Spain. Factor analysis was necessary to interpret the many data coming from the grape maturation study (8 vintages, 14 plots, 6 berry samples per plot and vintage, and 10 berry composition variables for each sample). Three factors were identified as a result of the analysis of the factor loading pattern that were designated as maturation, concentration, and mineral factors, according to their meaning. These factors accounted for 59% of the variance within the data, enabled the modelling of the maturation process, and showed the influence of climatological and location factors.